Top 10 productivity hacks
Many of us kicked off 2021 by setting new goals for ourselves and wanting to maximize our productivity to reach these goals in less time.
With more and more companies and departments requiring workers to do more with less while getting more out of every team member, it can be hard to keep up – and even harder to stay motivated.
But not all goals, responsibilities, and tasks are created equal. And there are simple changes we can make to our daily routines to streamline productivity and work smarter throughout the day to check everything off our to-do list and reach our goals.
Whether you set personal or professional goals for 2021, the productivity hacks listed in this blog post should help you reach them by the deadline you’ve set for yourself.
Ready to reach your potential? Let’s dive into the top 10 productivity hacks!
1. It starts with a plan
Failing to plan is planning to fail. Outline the steps or milestones you need to hit along the way and detail what success will look like when you achieve your goal and then take time to work these milestones into your schedule. Some people work well under pressure but most of us don’t want to realize we have 10 hours’ worth of work to do by tomorrow to reach a deadline.
Being productive during your day means planning time to be productive.
2. Take action daily
We all have days where we aren’t motivated to do anything, no matter how many cups of coffee we imbibe, but productivity doesn’t care about your mood. Each day, set an intention for your day even if it’s just to finish one big task or give feedback on a project. Giving yourself a purpose or goal for the day can help you focus and shift your mindset and get things done.
Another way you can make sure you’re taking action daily is by using your productivity peaks wisely. Many of us can identify as a morning person or night owl and the science is there to back up these claims that we’re predisposed to be more active and focused at certain times of the day. So, why not schedule certain tasks for these peaks?
If your mind is ready to go first thing in the morning, schedule intensive tasks first thing to maximize your productivity and then leave the rest of the day for administrative tasks that don’t require as much focus or brainpower. On the flip side, if you need time to ramp up and can then knock things out of the ballpark in the afternoon, start your day with easy tasks and end your day with the things that need your mental fortitude.
At the end of my workday, I always make a to-do list for the next day so when I come into the office I’ve got my list of must-dos and meetings and can then fill in the extra time with other tasks as needed.
3. Just say no
Both to drugs and distractions! But seriously, saying no is one of the strongest skills you can have to become a more productive person. Researchers have shown that our focus comes in sprints and we can use this knowledge to our advantage by learning to say no.
Years ago, a productivity training I attended recommending turning off all notifications on your computer and phone and scheduling time in your day to check and respond to emails and check other distracting tasks. Maybe you schedule thirty minutes at 9 a.m., 1 p.m., and 4 p.m. and that time is dedicated to emails.
Learning to say no to the urge to check your inbox or phone can seriously improve productivity and allow you to focus on the task at hand as you know you’ll have a break later to check everything.
If you still find yourself struggling to stay productive during the day it might be time for a deeper assessment on why you’re not being productive or why you’re so easily distracted. Are you bored, frustrated, or stuck in a toxic work environment?
The struggle is definitely real to stay motivated and productive when you’re bored at work or hate your job. At this point, it’s not just minor distractions you need to say no to, it might be time to say no to the role or even the company and make a change.
4. Expect the unexpected
Sh*t happens and other people’s tasks or work habits will conflict with yours. It’s inevitable and so it’s important to stay flexible when things don’t go as planned. Learn how to adapt and change on the fly to keep your productivity at its peak. When a deadline changes or you have to redo something, take it in stride as you can’t afford to fall to pieces and be willing to shift your priorities around.
5. Get the hard tasks done first
Mark Twain is attributed with the quote of, “If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.”
Don’t let anxiety get the best of your productivity by putting off hard tasks if that doesn’t fit your natural productivity peak-style. By putting off the hard things, you just allow that anxiety to consume you and hold your attention, meaning you’re not giving 100% to your current task.
Bite the bullet and get the hardest part of your day out of the way, and you’ll most likely feel better about the rest of the work you do that day.
6. Delegate
This can be a challenge for high performers or people that are used to running a one-(wo)man show. But, learning to delegate out menial tasks and focusing your attention on important things can vastly improve your day-to-day productivity.
One easy way to learn to delegate is by switching from an “I” mentality to a “we” mentality. You are part of a team and not solely responsible for everything and it’s okay to let others help and run projects.
7. Remember your “why”
If you’re feeling stressed or defeated by your to-do list try to focus on why you do this job. Why is this important to you? Why do you go into work every day?
Remembering your why or thinking about your internal motivation can help you reset and think through what’s most important to you and put your focus on the right tasks.
8. Stay healthy
Keeping up with good habits, like getting enough sleep, eating right, and staying hydrated, can go a long way in improving your daily productivity. Those who take good care of themselves have stronger mental clarity, improved memory, and more creativity. If you want to get more out of yourself each day, you have to take care of yourself first.
9. Treat yo’self
Positive rewards can help you maintain momentum and feel excited to take action each day.
Celebrate small wins and remember that improving your productivity is a work in progress and it’s not like you’re going to wake up one day and become a lean, mean, productive machine.
Reward yourself for positive changes and the days you check every single thing off your to-do list.
10. Get an accountability buddy
Finally, if you realize you’re not meeting your goals nor improving your productivity it might be time to bring in the big guns and get an accountability buddy. This could be a person who checks in on your progress or even holds your phone hostage if need be.
Everyone’s accountability buddy will look different as some of us need a cheerleader and some of us need an ass kicker. Find a friend who can help motivate you and hold you accountable for your day’s productivity.
What other productivity hacks do you use? Share your tips in the comments below or start a conversation with me on Twitter!
