It doesn’t matter if you are a stay at home mum or a business owner – either way, it is likely that you want to be more productive. Many people struggle to be consistently productive, and it isn’t hard to see why; digital distractions, increasing workloads and family life can all make it hard to stay focused
Thankfully there are lots of easy ways to boost productivity – you just need to work smarter, instead of working harder. Here are five easy ways to boost productivity.
1. Five Ways To Boost Productivity: Don’t Multi-Task
Most people think that multi-tasking is a great way to get things done, but in reality this is far from the truth. Various studies have found that the human brain can’t focus on more than one task at once, so when we try we are less productive. In fact, one study found that multi-tasking reduces productivity by 40%! So if you want to have a productive day, try single-tasking. Give all of your attention to one task, no matter how big or small, and once it is done move on to the next task.
2. Plan Your Day Beforehand
Make sure every day is productive by writing a to-do list the night before. This means that you will be ready to go as soon as you wake up, and you can even do a few things the night before to make the morning extra productive (such as setting out your work outfit, or prepping your meals). And don’t worry about the list being long; just write down two or three of the main things you want to accomplish the next day. This will make it easier for you to focus on the important tasks, and it means you won’t feel too overwhelmed when you wake up.
3. Use Your Commute Wisely
Do you commute to work? If so, consider using the time wisely. If you get the train or the bus you can spend the time replying to emails and working on projects, and if you are driving you could listen to a productivity podcast. This is a great way to learn more, and you might learn a new skill that will make your daily life easier.
4. Remove Digital Interruptions
It can also be beneficial to remove digital distractions when you are working. There are lots of digital distractions out there, from social media to email alerts to apps, and this can make it very hard to focus on work. In fact, a recent study found that Brits spend around 24 hours a week online – and this often takes place during work hours!
So if you want to be more productive at work, consider downloading a tool that blocks social media and other apps when you are working. There are lots of free online tools that can do this, and as soon as 5PM rolls around you will be able to access everything again. This is a great way to stay motivated, especially if you have a bad habit of checking your Facebook and Instagram throughout the day!
5. Write A Don’t-Do List
Finally it can be useful to write a don’t-do list. Most people only think about the things that they need to do, but it can also be useful to be aware of the things you don’t want to do. For instance, you might want to avoid talking to a chatty co-worker if you have a busy day. Writing this down will make you more aware of the issue, so you are more likely to deal with the issue if/when it occurs.
