Whether you’re preparing to enter into a busy quarter, catching up on work, or maybe just making the most of your day, we can all certainly work on becoming more productive. Especially now in the digital era where distractions are abundant. Here are some tips to help you get started. Contributor Alex Leaf – Freelance Writer.
Limit Multitasking
Multitasking is a skill that many of us like to think we are experts at by now. But, how efficient are we running three programs at once? Unless you’re a superbeing, our cognition does not allow us to focus and create lasting memories while working on multiple tasks at once.
Because each task can’t receive our undivided attention while multitasking, we’re more prone to make errors in our work. Monotasking will allow you to both prevent and catch errors more effectively. Monotasking will also help hone your creativity. We are much more productive when we are able to form and string associated ideas together. Multitasking disrupts that process.
If you struggle to stay focused during one task, try setting timers. Working in 10 minute intervals is a great way to start creating mini goals for your task. You can also divide each task into segments if you choose to create content-oriented goals.
Take Breaks
It’s important to take a break every now and then. Whether it’s mentally or physically, work will drain your energy. If you sit at your desk most of the day, there’s probably been an instance when you’ve caught yourself staring at your computer screen for the past 10 minutes without processing a single word you’ve read. Spend a few minutes getting coffee, standing, stretching, or walking around the office to help boost your energy.
Set Daily and Weekly Goals
Understanding your objectives is essential for a productive day. Mapping out which tasks you need to accomplish first throughout the day will motivate your productivity. Scheduling your day will also help you better understand when you’re starting to lag behind. Your can start by dedicating each hour of your day to a certain task.
Your goals should be realistic and specific. If you’re working on a project, do not simply write out, work on project — you should segment your project into specific tasks. This will allow you to narrow your focus even further and give measurable goals.
Eat Healthy & Eat Regularly
Even though all foods give you energy, there are certain foods that give you more than others. With Thanksgiving around the corner, I am sure the first thing you will do after having a feast is take an extended nap.
Bananas, yogurt, eggs, oatmeal, various berries, coffee, and green tea are just a few of the foods you can eat to start your morning right. Be sure to take advantage of your lunch break, your body will thank you for it. You’ll have time to decompress, get away from the office, and replenish your energy to finish out the day productively.
Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is one way our body can restore and rejuvenate the cells in our body. Part of this includes consolidating our short term memories into long term ones. Everyone is different and needs a different amount of sleep, but the recommended amount of time you should spend sleeping is between seven and nine hours. While it sounds productive to stay up late getting work done, it will affect the productivity of tomorrow.
Work stress along with other life stressors can keep you lying awake at night. Find a way that helps you unwind at the end of the day. Having a wind down routine will help prepare your body for bed.
Meditating or stretching are a few ways to relax your body and mind before bed. While watching TV before bed isn’t the worst thing, it can end up being too stimulating — you might end up tossing and turning throughout the night because of it.
If you’re still struggling to get to sleep at night, you may not be noticing an underlying issue. An old or improper mattress can cause you aches and pains, so you may need to reconsider the quality of your mattress. Especially if you’ve been sleeping on it for more than a decade.To ensure a productive day, you need to make sure you wake up on the right side.
What works for one person might not work for another. Be sure to invest in your wellness to ensure your own productivity at work. Take breaks, get enough sleep, eat well, schedule your day appropriately, and avoid multitasking so you can continue to learn and grow.
