There’s so much to do but so little time. It’s a common refrain in today’s workplaces, yet some people get the job done no matter the pressures. How do they manage it? We reveal some of their secrets.
1. Make Sleep a priority
Sleep affects energy, focus, and concentration. You may think you’re just as productive after a night of insufficient sleep, but measures of brain activity and productivity indicate you are not. Studies have shown that sleeping less than seven hours a night makes people slower, less focused, and less motivated, while the health benefits of sleep include stress reduction. Productive people maintain regular sleep to feel energized for the next day.
2. Take breaks
Breaks provide opportunities to see things differently, change your perspective, and focus. A break can recharge your batteries, releasing more energy for you to perform tasks. Rather than sitting for extended periods of time and letting your mind wander, why not stand up, stretch, get a drink of water, or take a walk before then returning to what you were doing, refreshed and reinvigorated.
3. Avoid perfectionism
In an imperfect world, it’s useless to spend time dwelling on mistakes and letting self-doubt negatively affect your decision-making and performance. Instead, try to find a balance. Productive people acknowledge their mistakes and work towards finding solutions.
4. Make a To-do list
Setting a clear agenda enables you to focus on the task at hand and let lesser priorities get in the way. Productive people make to-do lists, schedules, and reminder notices for work, at home and in their other pursuits to keep themselves motivated and constantly progressing.
5. Attach timelines to goals and tasks
It’s good to set overarching goals, but it’s even better to break those goals into tasks and assign a timeline to each one. This creates a sense of urgency and helps hasten to accomplishment of the individual tasks required to meet those goals.
6. Set priorities
Productive people don’t allow themselves to be distracted by tasks that are less urgent; they get the right things done, in the right order
“ The second half of a man’s life is made up of nothing but the habits he has acquired during the first half.” – Fyodor Dostoevsky
7. Declutter workspace
Visual clutter can create mental clutter. When a task is completed, move any files, documents, or other materials associated with it out of the way. A clean, organized workplace helps you focus on getting the work done.
8. Hope for the best; prepare for the worst
Productive people are aware of the big picture but focus on taking one step at a time. This includes making contingency plans, so as not to be overwhelmed by any setbacks on the road ahead.
9. Learn from failure and move on
Successful people focus on growth rather than on fixing failure.
Safiya Bhabha | Contributing Writer