It's no secret that productivity is the key to success. But what does it really mean to be productive? And how can you achieve it?
Simply put, productivity is the ability to get things done efficiently and effectively. It's about using your time, energy, and resources to achieve your goals.
Unfortunately, achieving productivity is easier said than done. It often feels like there's just not enough time in the day to get everything done.
But there are ways to boost your productivity and get more done in less time.
Here are 10 tips to help you get started:
The first step to increasing your productivity is to set clear goals. What do you want to achieve? How will you know when you've reached your goal?
Be specific, realistic, and achievable i.e. try to use S.M.A.R.T. goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely).
And make sure to write your goals down so you can refer back to them later. If a goal is too big, break it down into smaller goals; it’s important that you can feel that you are making progress or you may become demotivated.
Once you have your goals set, it's time to make a plan. What needs to be done to achieve your goals?
Again, be specific and realistic. As mentioned above, break down your goals into smaller, more manageable tasks. And be sure to schedule time for each task.
And don’t forget to reward yourself when you achieve a goal; this is a sure-fire way to keep yourself motivated to continue.
One of the biggest productivity killers is trying to do too many things at once.
When you're trying to focus on multiple tasks, your brain gets overwhelmed, and your productivity suffers. Instead focus on one task at a time. Turn off all distractions and give that task your full attention.
Once it's done, move on to the next task.
Many people like to brag that they can multitask, but this is a myth. The most productive people have laser like focus and deal with one task at a time.
Don’t fall into the trap of trying to multitask because it is a road to having many tasks ‘in progress’ but none actually completed and this can be very demoralising because your task list never seems to go down!
It might seem counterintuitive but taking breaks can actually help you be more productive. When you take a break, your brain gets a chance to rest and rejuvenate.
So, don't be afraid to step away from your work every once in awhile. Go for a walk, take a nap, or just take a few minutes to relax. You'll be surprised at how much better you'll feel and how much more productive you'll be when you return.
If you find yourself struggling to focus on a task, try setting a time limit. Tell yourself you only have to work on that task for a certain amount of time.
When the timer goes off, you can take a break or move on to something else. But knowing that you only have to work on that task for a short period of time will help you focus and get it done.
Try using the Pomodoro technique to break tasks into time chunks; if you want to know more about using the Pomodoro technique, check out this post.
A cluttered workspace can be a major productivity killer. If you can't find what you need, it's going to take you longer to get your work done.
So, take some time to organize your workspace. Make sure everything has a place and that you know where everything is.
You'll be amazed at how much time you'll save (and how much less stressed you'll be) when you're not constantly searching for things.
If you're trying to do everything yourself, you're never going to be as productive as you could be.
Instead, learn to delegate. If there are tasks that someone else can do, let them do it. You'll be able to focus on more important tasks and get more done.
As a business owner, you really want to be working on your business rather than in your business, so delegation and outsourcing are important skills to learn and use.
Distractions are one of the biggest productivity killers. If you're constantly being interrupted by phone calls, emails, or other distractions, it's going to be difficult to get anything done.
So, eliminate as many distractions as possible. Turn off your phone, close your email, and let people know that you're not to be disturbed.
Just switching your phone off will remove all sorts of distractions; social media, email, instant messaging, texts (and even the occasional phone call, if you still use a phone for calling 😊)
You'll be surprised at how much more you can get done when you're not constantly being pulled in different directions.
If you're not taking care of yourself, you're not going to be very productive.
Make sure you're getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly. When you're taking care of your body, you'll be surprised at how much more energy you have and how much better you'll feel.
One of the biggest productivity killers is procrastination. If you're constantly putting off tasks, you're never going to get anything done.
Instead of waiting around, just start. Even if you're not sure how you're going to complete the task, just start. Once you get going, you'll be surprised at how quickly you can get it done.
If you're looking for ways to be more productive, try out some of these tips. See which ones work best for you and stick with them. Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all solution, so find what works best for you and stick with it.
With a little effort and some trial and error, you can find a productivity routine that works for you and helps you get more done in less time.
Well, as I’m sure you can appreciate, there is a lot more to be learnt about increasing focus and productivity; far more than can be covered in this short post, but if you'd like to know more about this, then click on the featured resource below where you can pick up a free report, Stay Focused For Success, that covers this topic in more detail. Download, read it and take action 
