Being productive takes a lot of determination and thought. We often find ourselves caught up in social media and other meaningless tasks. When I decided to start a blog as a side hustle I knew I would need to up my productivity game. While I was doing a good job getting tasks done at home I knew I would need to be able to do more to be successful. I did a lot of research and wanted to share some of the best productivity tips I have found with you.
When trying to be more productive don’t try to do it all at once. That’s not the point of being productive. Being productive is getting the most important tasks done. Delegate tasks to try to eliminate some of them altogether.
We all want to have a successful day and the tips I am sharing with you are the best productivity tips I have found. I am now getting more done each day while juggling work, home, life, and a side hustle. The days are long but I am doing the best I can to have a successful day.
Best Productivity Tips for a Successful Day
Create a To-Do List
By knowing exactly what needs to be done each day you will be able to tackle more. I like to write down my top three goals for the day and move on from there. The top three goals are the must do’s and everything else falls farther down the list. If it is not an absolutely necessary task don’t be afraid to take it off of your list.
Know your Peak Hours
We all have peak hours where we are the most productive throughout the day. Schedule your high-priority tasks during these blocks of time. It will help you get more done in less time because you are focused and on task.
Time Yourself
Give yourself a set amount of time to complete a task. Staying on task is difficult and knowing that you had a self-made deadline will give you the extra push you need.
Get an Early Start
Starting your day at a specific time each morning will help you get more done. The sooner you start tackling your tasks the more you’ll accomplish. Don’t forget about your peak times though, maybe your early start is 8 am rather than 5 am.
Read: My School Morning Routine and How to Create One that Works for You
Set Deadlines
Even if a task does not have a deadline to set one for yourself. This will help keep you accountable and on task each day.
Batch your Tasks
By having a to-do list you’ll be able to see the bigger picture. Batch similar tasks together and knock them all out at once.
Accountability Partner
Let someone else know what our goals are. Periodically check in with each other and make sure you’re meeting your goals. Having an accountability partner is great encouragement especially for those bigger projects.
Finish the Most Important Task
At the end of the day finish the most important task on your to-do list. The smaller half-finished items can wait until tomorrow.
Break Down Bigger Projects
By breaking down bigger projects into bite-size pieces you’ll feel more accomplished and get more done. It’s easy to say “I’ll clean the garage today” but when it comes time to actually do it it feels like such a daunting task. By breaking it down into smaller chunks you’ll feel motivated to get the work done.
Be Punctual
Show up on time for appointments. It will make you feel accomplished and keep you on schedule. Be a few minutes early whenever possible.
Have a Reward System
Celebrate those small wins throughout the day. It can be a small reward like taking a break for 10 minutes to walk and get fresh air or treating yourself to a piece of chocolate. Knowing you have a small treat coming at the end of a bigger task will help keep you motivated.
Review your Progress
Review the progress you have made each day. By reviewing your progress you’ll see all that you have accomplished and it will help keep you motivated moving forward.
Turn off the TV
You’ll gain hours of your life by turning off the TV. Spend this time working on tasks at home or even self-care.
Ignore Your Inbox
E-Mail is a big time waster as well. The best advice I have is to check your inbox at the end of the day. Reply to urgent messages right away and batch other emails that need your attention for a later date. Emails can be deleted when a response is not needed. Inbox Zero is an amazing feeling!
The Power of No
Don’t say yes to every request made. If something does not align with your goals or values then it is okay to say no. This allows you to spend your time and energy on things that are truly important to you.
Positive People Only
Try to only associate yourself with people who are positive. Their positive attitude is contagious and you’ll be more productive. This is one of the best productivity tips I have. It has been a game-changer since I eliminated negative people from my life. This includes distancing myself from coworkers who are just not positive in the workplace.
Being productive can do so much for our mind, body, and soul. It helps us feel more accomplished and reduces stress in our lives.
Don’t try to implement all of these tips at once. Instead, try one or two tips each day and allow them to grow on one another. This will get you into a better routine and you’ll be more productive each day.
