5 Ways to be more productive

January 19, 2019

When you think of being productive, what do you think about? Productivity is always something I struggle with. There are some days where I am able to do everything I need to, and then there are some days where I cannot do anything. Productivity does not just have to mean work. It can mean self-care, household chores, or social events, you name it. I am going to share my top ways to increase productivity so that maybe they can help you! Want to find out more, keep reading!

PRODUCTIVITY STARTS BEFORE YOU WAKE UP…

Getting great sleep is more important than you can imagine. Not only is it great for your health, but it is amazing for your mind. Getting rest can have you ready to face the next day. I am going to be talking about how to get your best sleep ever soon, but let’s just focus on productivity right now. Getting some great sleep can be pretty difficult, at least it is for me. Everything that I am thinking about loves to wander into my mind right before bed. Meditation before bed is a great way to keep your mind clear, and an even better way to deal with your demons. I have spoken a ton about meditation, so I will not bore you any further. A healthy mind definitely creates a productive output.

“THE SKY’S AWAKE, SO I’M AWAKE”

Once you wake up, you need to get moving. If you are not currently using a planner, then what are you doing?! I honestly lived by my planner in college, and I use it now to remember when I have deadlines, bills, or events. Having a planner is a great way to see what you really need to get done, and then you….plan….your day around that. If you are used to creating a to-do list, then you already know to make one. If not, then you should be making them. I am going to go more in depth about creating one and planning your day in just a second. When making your list, you honestly need to prioritize whatever you have going on. Some things are definitely more important than others. Prioritzing can make sure that you get them completed, and then you can use the rest of your day to get ahead on your week, or you can just relax!

ALRIGHT, SO, WHAT ABOUT THESE LISTS?

As I just said, prioritize what you have going on. If you do this, then it is pretty easy to schedule out your day as well. You are able to set times for work, times for play, and times for relaxation. If you have something that is work-related, get that done first! You can then follow with whatever else you need to get done. Unless it is vacuuming, we all hate it!

If you are working from home, I highly suggest creating a block schedule. I am able to send in whatever I need at any time during the day, so I am not on a specific time schedule. I usually do two hours of work-related things, two hours of binge-watching television, and two hours of anything else important. This just allows me to have a break, and sometimes creativity is not easy to come by. I also have a wild puppy who feels the need to go out and chase bugs constantly. Just like studying for exams, breaks can help to clear your mind for work.

ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD TO THE FUTURE

The best way to stay productive is to think about what you want to achieve in the future. Having goals is a proven way to help you be where you want to be. Small goals are great or a daily basis, or weekly. Since I write, I can say that I want to write eight articles per week, and that creates a goal for me. I can check off each item I complete, and that allows me to not only track my productivity, but I can also have the confidence of completing a task. Long term goals are just as important as short term. Not all of us know what we are doing in five years, but we mostly have ideas of what we are going to be doing in the next few months. It used to drive me insane to have to create goals when I was younger, but now large goals are what really motivate me.

WHY IS PRODUCTIVITY SO IMPORTANT?

I know we hear a lot about how we need to be productive. Productivity is something that can actually drive us to who we want to be in the future. Most of us are not where we want to be, but you need to ask yourself why. I have had issues with personal situations in the past that really held me back. Depression is something that I have struggled with, and I could not even count on my fingers and toes how many times my mindset kept me from achieving what I wanted to. Success is not all about money, success is happiness. Being who you want to be is more important than any amount of money you could make, but you will not get there without being productive.