How to Be More Productive

If you want to increase the amount of work that you get done, you have to weed out all of the unimportant distractions and really focus on the most important things. In order to make it so that your time isn’t being eaten up, the key is to separate that one task that you need to get done and just get started on it. Get everything done in the shortest amount of time possible so that you can spend the rest of the day doing what you want. The faster you finish, the more time you’ll have. What you want to do is set off a block of time where you will nothing but one said task. Turn off the television, unplug the internet cord, and turn off your phones and everything else that may be a distraction. If you have a family, tell them that you are not to be interrupted during this block of time.

Everything set? Great. Remember that doing anything else besides what you have listed on your to-do list will slow you down immensely. That means no multi-tasking, because that doesn’t work. If your goal is to write a book, sit down and start typing out words, even if it makes no sense in the beginning. The key is to get started. You can always go back and edit it later. Work on your set task for about 45 minutes, and take a short 10 minute break. You can use a timer to help keep track of time. Any longer than 45 minutes and your brain starts to wander, so taking a break will help keep your brain from turning into mush.

During your break, find something to do that can be dropped at any time. Go for a short walk outside, make a sandwich, or stretch. Whatever you do, don’t turn on the television or go web surfing, because these activities tend to eat away your time once you let it. You need a short break to help focus your mind, but doing any activities that have no set limit on them will expand and before you know it, you spent several hours doing something you didn’t want.

Once you have finished with the one important task that you had to finish during the day, then stop right there. If you have chosen one important thing that absolutely had to be done that day and you have achieved it, give yourself a pat on the back. Don’t try to force yourself to work if you are tired or can’t focus, because you’ll only end up wasting time. Working at an overbearing and overachieving pace is great and all but you won’t be able to sustain it. You’re allowed to have fun every once in awhile you know? The next day, you can start on the next important item in your “To Do” list. For now, relax. Be consistent enough to do this every day and you shall achieve success.