Are you an entrepreneur that starts off in the morning thinking you are going to get a lot accomplished, but by the end of the day sees a lot still on your to-do list? It is the worst feeling when you planned to be productive and were excited to get your work completed for the day, but then you were bombarded with distractions and didn’t do all you planned.
I know for myself unexpected things come up which can interrupt the schedule I set out for myself. But I continue to work on a plan to reduce the distractions so I can finish what I intend to do.
If you are wanting to get the most out of your time, consider the following tips by Jill Duffy, contributing writer for PC Mag to help you be more productive and efficient:
- Track Your Time. Begin tracking yourself for two weeks to see exactly how you are spending your time and how you could possibly improve.
- Create a To-Do List. Keep a To-Do list that is actionable and concrete. I put tasks on my calendar with reminders so I block time to get things accomplished which allows me to better plan my day.
- Review Your Calendar and To-Do List First Thing. The best way to be productive in the morning is to start your day by understanding what tasks you must complete. When I first begin work, I scan my calendar to make sure I remember everything I need to do that day. I then make sure I complete the most urgent first in case unexpected distractions arise.
- Protect Your Most Productive Hours. Try your best to avoid scheduling meetings and events during your most productive time, this way you can get the most work done. For me, the first couple of hours are the best time to accomplish tasks that take focus, so I don’t look at e-mail until later in the day.
- Check In With Yourself Regularly. Ask yourself if you are completing tasks that need to get done and if you are on the right track.
- Create a Productive Work Cycle. A simple productivity trick is to work diligently and uninterrupted for 25 minutes then simply take a 3-to-5-minute short break.
- Proactively Avoid Distractions. If you are easily distracted by your phone, TV, or social media, do your best to avoid those things during your work sessions. Turn off notifications or put your phone on airplane mode to focus on work.
- Don’t Underestimate Breaks. You are not productive if you don’t allow yourself to take much-needed breaks.
- Move More During Your Day. By exercising or simply taking a walk, you will find that you will not only be more productive, but also creative.
- Reward Yourself When You Complete a Task. Once you finish a task, instead of hurrying to the next job, get yourself a coffee or give yourself some kind of reward. This will help you produce better results in the long run.
- Save Time For Sleep and Downtime. No one is productive or efficient if they are not sleeping so it is important that you are taking time to rest.
Besides these eleven tips, it is important to remember that you should always make self-care your priority over productivity. I know it can be hard because you have so much to accomplish. You can accomplish what you need to do if you are sick, so be sure to build in downtime into your schedule for some rest and relaxation.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/get-organized-11-tricks-to-increase-your-productivity
