Do you ever have those days where you feel like you’re just not getting anything done? Where you start the day with the best of intentions, but end up getting sidetracked along the way? It doesn’t have to be that way! These four simple productivity hacks I’m going to share will help you to be more productive right away!
It happens to all of us (even me!) I sat down to write tonight, but instead I found myself wandering through the abyss of social media. An hour went by and I realized I hadn’t accomplished anything!
So I shut my laptop, stood up, and had a good old-fashioned cardio sweat session. A half an hour of exercise, a warm shower, and I was ready to get back to work. And you know what? I started writing…and writing…and writing! A simple change had taken me from surfing the web with no direction and feeling guilty because I was “wasting time,” to instantly finding a way to be more productive!
That’s just one of my strategies to be more productive on days where it just isn’t happening on its own. There are actually four things I do (sometimes individually, sometimes together) to be more productive…and you can do them too! They’re easy! (Yay!!)
Four ways to be more productive …now!
Get up!
Sometimes the best thing to clear your mind and start fresh is a change of scenery — even if it is simply moving to another room! Get out of your chair and walk: whether it’s around the block or around the house! Getting your body moving will get the blood flowing to your brain! It will also take your mind off what you were trying to finish and allow you to recharge and reset.
Make a list
I find that whenever I have a growing number of tasks that I know need completed, I find it hard to concentrate on any one of them. The best solution for this I’ve found is amazingly simple: make a list. An actual written “to-do list” will allow you to visualize everything that you have on your plate for a certain period of time — I usually make mine for the week.
Though it might seem like a list would be intimidating, I find the opposite to be true. Seeing all of my important tasks written out is calming for me — I know that I won’t forget to do something if it is written down. What’s more, as I cross things off the list, there is a huge sense of relief!
Get rid of distractions
When I’m on my computer, I usually have multiple web browser windows open. That way it is easy for me to click over and check my email or update social media, etc. However, easy is not always best! This also makes is SUPER easy to get distracted and end up scrolling through your Facebook feed when you intended to be working on something else. Closing unnecessary browser windows helps eliminate those temptations. It’s kind of annoying to open another browser window, type in an address, wait for it to load…you get the idea…so if it’s not sitting there ready to go, I’m a lot less likely to do it.
Though other websites and social media are my main distractions, for some it could be having the TV on in the room…even if you think you’re not paying attention. Music, people talking, a growling stomach…whatever it may be, if you find your distractions and minimize them, you’ll find yourself a lot more productive as a result!
Positive affirmations — they work almost like magic!
When we don’t feel productive, we can really get down on ourselves. We let fear and feelings of self-doubt creep in and start telling ourselves that we are lazy. Stop!!
Start telling yourself that you are amazing! Look up positive quotes and read them out loud. There is a reason these positivity quotes are so popular — they are excellent motivation! Even better, write down your positive affirmations! What do I mean? Here’s how this worked for me:
When I was fourteen, I wanted my own horse more than anything. My mom told me to start writing down 25 times a day exactly what I wanted and when I wanted this to happen. Maybe she was just trying to keep me busy, but it worked! Every day I wrote in a dedicated notebook: “I will buy a black Morgan within a year.” I ended up getting a golden Saddlebred (a different breed and color), but that’s not the point…I found a way to buy a horse (selling my Beanie Baby collection) and accomplishing my goal within the time I specified. Since I had written it down, I was extra determined to make it happen. I could not fail!
Extra tips to be more productive:
A while back I interviewed a former work colleague who is now a real estate entrepreneur about his secrets for success. His story is incredible!! In less than a year he was able to pay off $40,000 in debt and double his previous year’s income! CLICK HERE to read more.
These pocket-sized Moleskine journals are perfect for slipping in your purse and keeping track of your to-dos! We also use them to make our weekly meal plan and shopping list.
Follow-up reading: 15 Secrets Successful People Know About Time Management: The Productivity Habits of 7 Billionaires, 13 Olympic Athletes, 29 Straight-A Students, and 239 Entrepreneurs by Kevin Krouse — It’s a looonngg title, but that’s because there are a lot of wildly successful people interviewed for this book! Hundreds of 5-star reviews back up what’s inside…a must-have for your personal development library!
So now that I’ve shared my tips to be more productive, it’s time to get back to work! 😉
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