Would you like to start working harder right now? Do you want to stop wasting time and get your projects done? This article will be mostly about how to be more productive from now on.
Focusing on the task at hand is the best way to get more done in a given amount of time. So how do you start putting your efforts where they need to be? Getting rid of distractions is the key.
There are two things that can get in the way. The first source is outside things, like phone calls, emails, interruptions from other people, and so on. Choose a time of day when you feel most productive and lock yourself away for a set amount of time each day. This will give you a real boost in how much you can get done. Find your own ways to "hide" from the outside world for a certain amount of time each day, and your output will go up.
The second place where distractions come from is inside ourselves. This is the hardest source of distractions to get rid of, though. It's hard to stop thinking about yourself. For us, multitasking is the main cause. Many studies have already shown that doing more than one thing at once makes you less productive, not more. Our minds can only think of one thing at a time. When we switch tasks, we lose focus and momentum, and our minds have to keep playing "catch-up" To be more productive, you need to learn how to focus on one thing at a time and give it your full attention and best effort until it's done. If you get bored while working on your task, take a SHORT break and think about what the end goal is and what you will get out of it.
You should make sure that the task you choose to work on is really your most important one. Many of us get caught up in being busy instead of being productive. One task could get mountains of paperwork off your desk, or you might be better off just moving one important piece of paper. Use the 80/20 rule to help you sort through your inbox and find the real "gems." The 80/20 rule says that 20 percent of your efforts lead to 80 percent of your results. Find out what the 20 percent of high-payoff projects are, and make sure you focus on those first.
And don't forget the basics of managing your time. Say "no" to as many projects as you can to make your life easier. Try to "cherry pick" projects that you know will pay off well and pass on projects that aren't as important. Also, give away as many low-payoff tasks as you can. Figure out how much your time is worth and try to give low-value tasks to someone else, even if you have to pay them. It was a good use of money.
You can be more productive as soon as you think about it. Don't forget that everything counts. Every step you take and every step you don't take can help you reach your goal of being more productive. Always keep in mind that you need to get more done and train yourself to do the right thing. Don't be hard on yourself if you fail, but make sure you reward yourself in some way for every step you take that moves you forward.
your work rate up a level.
