Have you ever felt like you were so busy all day but wondered what you actually got done? Busy does not equal productive.
Read that again.
So how do you focus on being productive and not just busy? Follow these 10 tips!
- Prioritize the hardest task first. I know all too well how easy it is to procrastinate. DON’T DO THIS! You’ll be thinking about this one difficult task the entire day, and it will distract you from other things on your to-do list. Instead, just get it done. You’ll feel so accomplished and motivated to have a productive rest of your day.
- Time blocking. It has been proven that by breaking your day into time blocks, you’ll be more productive. You can do this on an old-fashioned piece of paper or download an app. Google Calendar and iCal also have the time blocking feature.
- Don’t multi-task. This could be difficult if you are a business owner wearing many hats like me, but I’ve always found myself to be more productive if I focus on one thing at a time. Multi-tasking can lead to feeling overwhelmed, which reduces productivity.
- Small goals equal big wins. Set small goals for the day instead of one big goal. A large task can feel overwhelming, so instead, break it down into small bite-sized chunks to get the task done.
- Don’t get distracted. By limiting your distractions, you’ll be more productive. For example, put your phone on “do not disturb”, turn off the TV or music, and put yourself in a quiet space dedicated for work.
- Take short breaks. Recharge by taking short breaks throughout the day. Take a short walk, grab a snack or stretch your legs. It may seem counterproductive, but this will actually decrease your stress level and clear your head long enough to get you motivated and back to work.
- Delegate, delegate, delegate. This was my mantra these past 2 years. You’re only one person and can’t do it all. Do what you can and delegate the rest.
- Set boundaries. This is another one that I had to put into overdrive recently. If you’re not being compensated for it, say no. If it doesn’t add value to your life or business, say no. If you simply don’t have the time, SAY NO!
- Prioritize self care. Ever hear the saying “You can’t pour from an empty cup”? That’s exactly what this means. If you are stressed and burnt out, this is going to affect your work. Every weekday, after the kids go to school, I prioritize the gym from 9am – 10am. Every other Monday or Tuesday, I get my nails done. This makes me feel good about myself and energizes me for the rest of the work week (which includes nights and weekends in my world, eliminating the guilt of having “me time” during the week).
- Figure out when you are most productive. If you know you aren’t a morning person, schedule your tasks or events later in the day. Make your “business hours” known on social media, your website and anywhere else clients will know when to contact you or make appointments.
