PRODUCTIVITY, NOT PROCRASTINATION

When you have several projects that need to get done, don’t let being unorganized lead to putting off what’s important.

often than not they spend it debating rst instead of actually tackling one. This is a major productivity killer that easily can be avoided with preparation.

Create a schedule for your day. The best time to do this is just before you leave work or the night before, which serves two purposes. One, today’s events are fresh in your mind. You know exactly which projects are most important to tackle the next day and which can be put off. By creating your schedule the night before, you take the emotions and willpower associated with starting these tasks

Waking up to a set schedule or routine is much easier on your. Think of willpower as a muscle. If you do too much heavy lifting—in this case, decision-making—your muscle wears out and needs rest before being active again. Willpower works in a similar fashion. Waking up without a game plan for your day forces you to make on-the-spot decisions, draining your willpower in the process. Even planning simple things such as what to eat for breakfast and what to wear, allows you to run on auto-pilot and conserve willpower for tasks that truly need it.

Another crucial component to being productive is taking breaks. While it sounds counterintuitive to getting tasks accomplished, frequent, short periods of relaxation allow the mind to recharge and function at optimal levels. Tackling projects in 30-minute intervals, which include three- to five-minute breaks, is a great way to maintain focus. Set a timer for 25 minutes and stay completely focused on the task at hand. Once that time is up, set the timer for three to fives minutes, and step away from whatever you were working on. It is relaxing to know you have only 10 more minutes to work before the timer goes off that helps kick you into overdrive. On the opposite side of that spectrum, if the project you’re working on is mind numbing, it’s nice to know there’s only five more minutes before you can walk away and mentally regroup.

The third element of productivity is setting priorities. You can trick yourself into thinking you’re productive by keeping busy with an unimportant task. For example, the kitchen needs cleaning, and that will get done eventually, but there’s a need to focus on that presentation due tomorrow. By cleaning the kitchen, there’s a feeling of productivity without getting the important task done.

This is why it’s crucial to set priorities. Get in the habit of making a list of what needs to be accomplished and number each activity in order of importance. Once activities are prioritized, determine the order in which they need to be accomplished. Some people feel it helps to get the most important tasks accomplished first, while others feel it’s easier to accomplish a few quick, less important tasks, giving them a quick boost of self-esteem and some momentum in the process, before handling big ones. Finding the right balance may take some trial and error, but knowing which priorities are most important helps you set your schedule each day.

Consistency is the key to making these productivity tips work for you. Try incorporating these three ideas into your everyday life for a few weeks. You’ll be surprised how much you accomplish in those few weeks. You may even realize that procrastination is a habit you no longer need. Consistently work on developing these habits and productivity could become your greatest asset.