Being productive is a skill that is paramount to nearly all of us; from students in primary school, to CEOs in large corporations. The only difference is the level of importance as you progress in life. As you gain more responsibilities in life, you’re forced to manage your time more effectively.
In this article we are going to go over:
- What productivity is.
- The top 5 benefits of becoming more productive.
- The top 4 tips on improving your productivity.
Now that we have gone over the structure of the article, let’s jump right into what productivity is.
What is productivity?
Productivity refers to how fast a person can complete a task without compromising the quality. Productivity and efficiency are terms that are used interchangeably.
There are plenty of elements that can affect a person’s productivity. From a bad posture at work, to blatant procrastination. Mitigating these and other factors can have positive results on your productivity.
The top 5 benefits of improving your productivity
There are so many benefits of being productive, but listed below is the top five.
Reduced stress
This is one of the best if not the best by-products of good productivity. Given that your work is complete ahead of time, deadlines don’t frighten you as much. A lot of us are driven by deadlines, doing things at the last minute, creating more anxiety as the date approaches.
Reduced stress has a domino effect and positively impacts both your mental and physical health. Achieving more and feeling in control are contributors to a positive well-being.
Get more done
You will be able to achieve more as time management is a key component in becoming more productive. Prioritising our tasks will help you complete your goals more quickly, which would give you more time to do other things.
More time to invest in relationships
Given you have learnt how to manage your time effectively, you’ll be able to invest more time into your relationships. You will no longer be too busy to go to your friend’s birthday party or a siblings graduation ceremony.
Greater sense of purpose
Everyone needs purpose in their life. Otherwise, what would we be doing this for? Being productive can help you build both a sense of purpose and fulfilment in your life.
Increased confidence
This is a potential result of a combination of some of the benefits mentioned above. Reducing stress will help you feel more confident about the future as opposed to dreading it. A sense of purpose helps you feel confident in why you do the things you do. Whether it is goals or people that motivate you.
You will be able to attend your friends’ and family’s important events, making you feel confident that they will not bring up the fact that you forgot their birthday.
The top 4 tips on improving your productivity in 2023
Let’s take a look at four tips that can help you with your productivity.
Productivity tip 1: Focus on your energy
Being intentional in how you use your energy could save you a lot of time. How you spend your energy can be divided into four main areas.
- Physical
- Mental
- Spiritual
- Emotional
Managing your time effectively in these areas can improve your overall productivity, helping you feel more fulfilled too. At times, one area will be more of a priority than others. The level of prioritisation in relation to one another will change periodically.
Productivity tip 2: Start with just one thing
Sometimes we have too much on our plates all at once and just getting started is the way to go. Overthinking how much needs to be done can paralyse you. You won’t get anything done like that.
Productivity tip 3: Separate to-dos from might-dos
There are your difficult, important tasks (which you’re getting done at the start of your day), but there are also the not-so-urgent tasks. Let’s call those the might-dos.
It’s tempting to put your might-dos on your to-do list. After all, it feels great to check off multiple items on a list. Big or small. However, doing this can turn your to-do list into a never-ending series of tasks that are difficult to prioritise.
Instead, put your might-dos on a separate list. That way, you can spend a majority of your energy on finishing your major projects. When they’re completely done, you can reference your might-do list and start chipping away at it.
Productivity tip 4: Make your calendar work harder
Use your calendar for more than just remembering appointments and meetings. Block out chunks of time on it each day when you can focus on to-dos. And don’t forget to schedule those intentional breaks that allow you to renew and replenish your energy.
This practice is especially important if you have a shared calendar with co-workers. Having work and break times reserved in your calendar can deter people from booking meetings or distracting you when you’re trying to be productive or when you’re engaging in practices that give you more energy.
Scheduling official times to focus and reenergize can also help you be more patient, self-aware, and consistent. This can make you a better co-worker, friend, and family member.
Final Thoughts
In summary, productivity doesn’t mean racing through as many tasks as possible in one day. Instead, rethink productivity. Concentrate on your important work and focus on renewing your energy throughout your day via intentional breaks.
You can then manage your time by starting each day focused on one major task, distinguishing between to-dos and might dos, and scheduling times for work and for breaks in your calendar.