Productivity starts with YOU

Boosting productivity starts with changing your approach to goals. After all, productivity is, at its heart, the achievement of the goals that you have set for yourself and others.

Consider tasks in light of your goals and take on those tasks that you really feel have value. Reject or delegate tasks that will affect your work-life balance because getting that right is also a key part of productivity.

Regular Review: Continuously evaluate your tasks. Streamline, reorganise, or automate steps where possible.  

Short To-Do List: Ideally, keep your list realistic with three or four main tasks. Add small tasks requiring minimal focus to break up the day and maintain momentum. There are few things more stressful than a massive To Do list. You will spend much of the day panicking about how much you still have left to do on the list.

If your to-Do List grows longer than ideal (it happens to us all), tackling some of the small tasks allows you to quickly reduce the list to a more manageable length. This will make you feel productive, and in turn, you will start to be more productive.

Baby Steps: Break large tasks into smaller chunks and tackle them one by one. This approach makes daunting tasks manageable and keeps you motivated. Completing a small chunk of a larger task gives a sense of achievement and forward momentum.

Start Simple: Begin with a task you know you can complete. A quick win can spark new ideas and boost your motivation. This can work particularly well if you struggle to decide where to start.

Positive Mindset:  If a task feels overwhelming, or you are feeling stuck on an element of the task, switch to something you enjoy and return to the difficult task later with a fresh perspective. Believing that you can complete the task, however difficult, is critical. Surrounding yourself with positive people who motivate, challenge and support you is hugely helpful. If you feel negative toward your task, then it may be time to contact one of those positive people and chat about the task. Chances are, you will come away with new ideas for tackling it, and a renewed enthusiasm to do so.

Say No: Focus on tasks that align with your goals. Delegate or decline tasks that don’t add value or threaten your work-life balance.

Take Breaks: Regularly step away from work to exercise, pursue a hobby, or relax. This refreshes your mind and improves productivity.

Get some sleep: You can’t be productive if you are exhausted. Motivation will hit rock bottom if you are tired and if you do nothing all day and all night other than work. You will be more productive if you switch off for a while each day. Ensure you have the amount of sleep that you need each night and take some time to relax and you will be surprised at how your productivity will increase. Find out more about the benefits of sleep for productivity here.

Set Deadlines: Create deadlines even if none exist. Organise your day into time slots and stick to them to prevent tasks from dragging on.

Focus on One Task: Avoid multitasking. Techniques like the Pomodoro Technique, which involves focused work for 25 minutes followed by a 5-minute break, can help maintain concentration. Find more tips to help you focus here.

Identify Time Wasters: Recognise what wastes your time and limit these distractions. For instance, restrict social media use to specific times.

Organised Workspace: A tidy, organised environment boosts productivity. Ensure everything you need is easily accessible, and set aside time to tidy your workspace regularly. I have been known to have my best ideas when I’ve stopped trying to force them and just had a tidy-up.

Next Steps: Delegating tasks can significantly improve your productivity by freeing up your time to focus on core business activities. If admin tasks are overwhelming you, let's chat. I can handle your admin work, leaving you free to grow your business. See how my support has benefited other businesses.