Simple Daily Habits for Maximum Productivity
4 Simple and easy tips to improve your productivity
Productivity refers to how effectively we use our time. We all only have 24 hours in each day, but highly productive people achieve a great deal more in these hours, putting themselves ahead of the rest in every aspect of life.
Fortunately, there are simple but powerful daily habits that will help you maximise your productivity. Implementing these habits into your daily routine will help you stay focussed, so you can make the most of your day, every day.
1. Start Early
Give yourself a head start by making it a habit to get up earlier. This gives you time to do what is important, calmly and undisturbed, before the distractions and obligations of the day begin. Starting the day early and already ahead of schedule has a powerful effect on your mindset and productivity.
Successfully getting up earlier requires that you prepare the day before and get to bed in time. Getting ready the night before: packing a lunch, setting out your clothes, arranging your desk and making a realistic and specific to-do list for the next day, will put you even further ahead. And, if you get 7 to 9 hours of undisturbed sleep, you will wake up refreshed and ready, even though you are getting up earlier.
2. Start Right
Extend your early head start further with your own powerful morning ritual that sets the tone for the rest of your day.
You could review your goals and your to-do list for the day; meditate or repeat positive uplifting affirmations; exercise – even just light stretching; eat a nutritious breakfast; work on an important project; or study, read or learn a new skill.
3. Start Strong
Do the biggest or most important task first. Don’t be tempted to first get the small, less important tasks out of the way – that’s procrastination!
Make your big, important task more manageable by breaking it down into the smallest possible steps and working in 10-minute time slots of complete focus and attention.
Finishing the most important task will not only the reduce the stress of unfinished business and looming deadlines; it will also boost your confidence and amp up your motivation. project; or study, read or learn a new skill.
4. Stay Strong
It is very easy to get distracted while working, which makes it necessary to manage distractions if you want to be more productive. Fortunately, there are many simple habits that can help you eliminate distractions, for example, setting specific times for responding to messages, taking regular breaks, keeping your workspace tidy and monotasking.
Set designated times to check your email, messages and social media. Outside these designated times, turn off notifications and applications, so you can focus on the task at hand. Taking regular breaks to relax, whether a 5-minute water break or a 20-minute walk outside will recharge body and mind and help you refocus. It is also highly recommended to keep your desk clear, except for the task you are focussing on and the items you need to complete it. Also learn to monotask – to focus on the specific task in front of you. Focussing, whether for five minutes or an hour, will improve your efficiency, speed up your progress and reduce the likelihood of mistakes.
Incorporating these simple habits into your daily life will go a long way to maximise your productivity, so you can make the most of every day and get ahead in every aspect of your life.
