Top 10 Productivity Hints & Tips
If you're spending the day, flicking between one task and the next and not actually completing any, you're in the right place.
Since the pandemic hit and with more people now working from home, productivity has taken a bit of a nose dive - especially when all you can think about is that next wash load that needs doing rather than working on your report - am I right?
But there is actual recorded statistics to prove that productivity in the UK tumbled in the first three months of this year by 0.6% compared to the same period a year ago. And then even further from April to June, falling by 2.5%
Productivity decline
Jan-Mar '20
Productivity decline
April-June '20
Productivity decline
Future
Productivity Top 10
Let's not concentrate on the decline, but rather, what can we do to improve our own productivity. The feeling that we get when we've put that last tick on the to do list - We want that!
Here are my top 10 productivity hints and tips that have helped me in getting things done.
1. Make Lists
You either love lists or you don't. There isn't usually an in between. Personally, I was NOT a lover of lists! But, once I started, I now have a list for everything!! It gives me so much clarity and focus and allows me to break tasks down. Your list/to do doesn't have to be a written one. I use online software called Asana. This allows me to really go into detail on my projects.
2. Turn off notifications
Did you know that 4 out of 5 smartphone users check their phone within 15 minutes of waking up. And that the average person is on their phone for over 3 hours and 25 minutes. It scares me to think that mine is actually double this! Do you find that you get a facebook notification about it being someones birthday, and then next thing you've spent 10 minutes watching videos of people falling over? I can so easily get lost down a facebook or youtube rabbit hole that I have had to turn my notifications off (turning my phone over just didn't cut it).
I now implement breaks throughout my day to check notifications or to pick up my personal emails. If your job allows, include your work emails within this too so that they aren't an added distraction.
3. Have a break
Whilst this might not sound like it's being productive, trust me when I say, you need it.
There is only so long you can give your full attention to something. By taking 10 minutes and having a stretch and some fresh air, you'll feel invigorated, which also means productive.
4. Stop multi-tasking
Are you in the middle of writing a blog, whilst answering an email and using your other hand to eat your dinner? STOP!!
I know it feels like you need to be spending every minute, doing everything, but you don't. You are going to achieve so much more when you step back and concentrate on one task at a time, and actually take a break for your dinner (see tip 3).
5. Say No
I know! As a nation, we're not the best at saying No! Especially us women, we try to juggle everything. But realistically you can't do everything, not without it resulting in some form of burnout, and that isn't fair to you.
Setting yourself boundaries and even practising saying no will allow you to make time for yourself and your priorities.
6. Implement the two minute rule
This one is fairly simple. If a task can be completed within 2 minutes - get it done.
For example, you receive an email that only needs a confirmation - reply to it there and then
But if that email needs you to conduct some research or to put together a lengthy response - Add it to your to do list and come back to it.
7. Change your mindset
If you go in to your day feeling overwhelmed and dragged down, it's likely that your day will follow suit.
I am a big believer in positive mindsets and can honestly say that it works for me. I won't lie and say that every day is sunshine and rainbows, but I actively start my days with a positive mindset and believe that I will achieve everything that I want to achieve that day.
8. Complete your hardest task first
This is a very popular productivity tip. If you put off your hardest task to the end of the day, you will spend the full day thinking about it, and how you don't really want to do it. But if you do it straight away, it's not hanging over your head for the rest of the day, freeing you up for a more smoother day.
9. Track your time
Do you know how long you're spending on your different tasks? I guarantee you'll be surprised by the results. There are lots of free apps available to do this - or you can even just use a timer on your phone and keep a physical diary. You will then be able to look over it to see where you're wasting your time and what areas you're productive in.
10. Delegate
As a busy entrepreneur you are wearing all the hats. Your business is your life and soul and you struggle to ask for help. Trust me, I get it. I am 100% with you on that, so much so that in the past I've taken training courses in areas that I have no interest in at all, rather than outsourcing. But, I slowly came to realise that I can't do everything and that there are experts out there who can do the task that i'm struggling with, in a fraction of the time.
And this is exactly where I come in. Those tasks that you put to the bottom of your list in hope that they'll disappear - I can do them for you. Don't waste hours putting things off - Increase your productivity by delegating them (to me).
"Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort."
Ready to delegate?
I hope that you've found these productivity hints and tips helpful. If you feel that you do need to take that next step, I would love to help you achieve your goals.
