Are you working more hours than you’d like?
Do you check your phone every chance you get?
Are you a multi-tasker?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you’re not being as productive as you can and it’s hurting your business. Achieve more while spending less time at the office with these productivity tips to improve your life:
- Use a Calendar: Don’t miss important meetings and events. Whether you prefer using Google calendar or the old fashion day planner, use it consistently. If it’s not on your calendar, you can’t count on it getting done.
- Start with something fun: In his book Eat That Frog, author Brian Tracy suggests that to be most productive, we should do the task we least want to do first making the rest of the day less stressful. I’ve learned so much from Brian but I have to disagree with this one. To get excited about your day, it helps to know the first thing on your calendar is something you enjoy doing. Tackle the frog second.
- Track your time: Spend a few days tracking all of your activities so you know how you’re spending time and where there are opportunities for change. If you’re spending hours driving to and from meetings, consider having an agenda or doing phone calls to cut back on drive time and keep meetings focused.
- Stop multi-tasking. This should be easy as multi-tasking doesn’t exist! Our brain can only focus on one conscious task at a time. What we are really doing is task-switching. Studies have shown that we’re actually less focused and get less done when we task-switch. Make a list and focus on one task at a time rather than multi-tasking.
- Use a timer. Setting a timer to remind you when you planned to stop one task and start another is helpful. If you struggle with staying focused for long periods of time, set a timer to go off every 15 minutes. Instead of losing an hour, you may only get distracted for five minutes.
- Be flexible. Avoid scheduling every hour of your day. Allow flex time for unexpected meetings or calls every week. By doing this, you will avoid feeling like you can’t get everything done. And if interruptions are limited, you might finish work early or get a headstart on a new project.
- Schedule breaks. Sitting all day is just plain bad for your health. Schedule in break time whether it’s a walk, a full workout, or time with family and friends. It’s important to take time away from work to clear your mind.
- Work away from the office. When it makes sense, spend time working from coworking space, coffee shop, or restaurant. You are going to be more productive and creative just by changing locations. This works if you move from your home office to another part of the house too.
- Turn off notifications on mobile devices. Don’t let yourself get distracted by notifications on your mobile devices. Stay focused on the task at hand.
- Use Lists. Keep yourself on task and ahead of schedule when you have a list of what needs to get done each day, week, and month. Don’t forget to schedule in your own activities and business tasks. There’s great reward when you cross things off a list!
If you’re not feeling as productive as you’d like, it might be time to call me, Lauren Holder, at 602-228-1019 or email lauren@myfocusnowcoach.com.