“Boost Your Productivity: Implement Timers, Schedule Efficient Meetings, and Follow Our Expert Advice for a More Fulfilling Workweek”.
Yes, it is possible to turn your week around and get back on track by implementing a few productivity techniques. Some suggestions are:
- Make a to-do list: Write down what you need to accomplish and prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance.
- Limit distractions: Find a quiet place to work, turn off notifications on your phone, and eliminate other distractions.
- Take breaks: Taking short breaks every hour or so can help you recharge and avoid burnout.
- Focus on one task at a time: Multitasking can be a productivity killer, so concentrate on one task at a time until it’s completed.
- Hold yourself accountable: Keep track of your progress and hold yourself accountable for meeting your goals.
1. “Develop a Morning Routine to Provide Direction for Your Day”
“Starting with your most challenging task is often suggested, but it’s not always practical. It’s like telling someone to summon all their willpower and push themselves to complete a task they don’t want to do. Not very helpful, right?”
“Make a morning plan that helps you focus on the task you need to do. It doesn’t have to be the hardest one, just choose something important. For example:
- Drink coffee
- Sit at your desk
- Open your task list and choose what to do first, and tell others what you plan to do
- Mark that task as important
- Get everything you need to start working.
This is just one example, but you can see that none of the steps are hard, but they help you get ready to work on the task you want to do. This is better than just relying on willpower.”
Starting the day by checking your task list on an app is common, but some people like to check their schedules and plans first. This can be especially helpful for people who have many meetings.
The key is to make these steps a regular part of your day. Start with something easy and fun, like making coffee. Or, you can put on music or adjust the lights. If you enjoy starting your day this way, the rest of the day will be easier.
2. “Accumulate Your Busy Tasks”
“Filing expense reports, cleaning your email, wiping your desk, and scanning documents are all necessary tasks. Don’t let anyone tell you they’re not important or only make you feel productive.
These tasks do have value. Although they may not be as important as your other tasks, they still have some value. It’s important to finish your expense reports on time for your boss and coworkers in accounting. Clearing your inbox today will make it easier to manage tomorrow. And, a clean desk means less distractions from piles of paper.”
Save time for small tasks when your brain is less focused. Doing these tasks, like filing reports or cleaning your inbox, when you’re not at your most productive can actually be a smart way to manage your time. Maybe do these tasks on a Friday afternoon when you’re winding down from a busy week.
3. “Rely on a Pomodoro for motivation”
Are you having trouble starting a task even though you know you need to? I use a technique called Pomodoro to help me stay motivated. It’s named after tomato-shaped kitchen timers and was created by Francesco Cirillo. You work on a task for 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break. Repeat this cycle a few times, then take a longer break. This helps you push through a lack of motivation and get the job done.
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method that involves breaking work into intervals of 25 minutes, with short breaks in between. You can use a timer, app, or browser extension to follow this technique and block distracting websites while working. Windows 11 also has a Focus Sessions feature that offers the same functionality. If you need external motivation, you can try Caveday, which is a group of people who work together in sprints, either online or in person.
4. “Schedule meetings during your least productive hours.”
Not all hours of the day are equally productive. Some hours are better for focusing on challenging tasks and feeling motivated. It’s important to protect these hours and not use them for meetings. Set a specific time of day as the default time for meetings, during your least productive hours or “slump time”. However, if meetings are the hardest part of someone’s job, they should schedule them during their most productive hours and reserve their “slump time” for less demanding tasks like email processing.
When you don’t have control over meeting times, like when your boss’s boss schedules a meeting, you have to attend at the designated time. However, when you are in control of the meeting time, such as when someone asks for your availability, offer options during your low-productivity hours. This way, you can preserve your high-focus hours for important tasks that require concentration. This tip is similar to blocking off time for deep-focus work, but scheduling meetings during your low-productivity hours is more practical and easier to implement.
5. “Discard any productivity advice that does not benefit you..”
Everyone is different and unique. What motivates one person, helps another focus, or makes someone feel discouraged can vary greatly. Although science can provide general productivity advice, it’s only through trying these tips that we can determine what works best for us personally.
Monique Valcour wrote an article for people who dislike traditional productivity tips. Instead, she suggests focusing on personal intentions and finding motivation internally. The article is for those who prefer to feel good about their progress on a task rather than being limited by arbitrary deadlines and timers.