Everyone wants to achieve a healthy balance in life. It’s one of the most important things in order for people to be their happiest and most productive. The average person spends more than 15 hours a month on Facebook alone according to Statisticbrain.com. With so many distractions these days, it’s tough to remain focused.
There is no doubt that you are busy, with a tremendous amount going on in your life – work, family, volunteering and taking care of yourself among other things. You, yourself, take up more time and energy than you realize, and when you finally do sit down to tackle the important things you find that you’re already distracted. This form of self-sabotage is exhausting, and you need to come up with a plan to avoid it and become more productive.
Here are five ways to get the most out of your day!
1. Disconnect
Pull away from your phone even if that means putting it and all your other electronic devices in a desk drawer or another room. When at home, turn off the TV, as well. Trying to do anything with the television on or in a noisy environment hinders productivity.
Disconnecting needs to be physical and mental.
You need to give your mind the ability to focus on what you’re trying to accomplish without sidetracking it. You might find it odd, then, that your company plays music over the loudspeaker at work, but there are certain forms of “distraction” that actually help you focus for extended periods, and soft music is one of them. Some people also find it easier to concentrate when they are outdoors in the sunshine enjoying a beautiful day.
Put away the negative distractions, find a positive distraction that works for you, and use it toward your productive advantage!
2. Take Breaks
In addition to disconnecting, taking breaks allows the brain to refresh. Working hard is commendable, but taking a break is just as important, which is why businesses are required by law to give their employees breaks after a certain amount of worktime.
Your mind is like a muscle; flexing your arm or leg muscles for hours is exhausting and you’ll likely hurt yourself. Muscles need a break from flexing periodically to continue doing repetitions.
A good five-minute break at work or at home is all the brain needs to recharge and get a strong restart.
3. Prioritize
Work your way down the productivity pyramid. Try to work on the most important tasks first and leave the less important tasks for the end of the day. Time management can be difficult to master, but doing just that is critical to your productivity, because when used properly, time management can change an entire day.
Prioritizing helps you use your energy for the biggest challenges at the beginning of your day, leaving the less demanding tasks for last when your body and mind are tired.
4. Avoid Multitasking
Think multitasking is a positive productivity trait? Think again!
Multitasking actually prevents you from engaging fully in any one task that you are trying to accomplish. Multitasking often produces errors and may even require that you to do the same task a second time. It’s best to concentrate on one task until it is finished, and then move on to the next one.Your brain is more powerful than you think, but that doesn’t mean it works best when it is being pushed to the limit.
It’s better to work smarter, not harder!
5. Stay Organized
Knowing what needs to be accomplished and how soon is the key to being productive. Many people find creating “To-Do” lists effective; others prefer working on task as they are assigned or as they become due. Methods to staying organized vary; regardless, staying organized remains critical, as it makes a huge difference in your productivity. Knowing what to tackle and budgeting your time allows your brain to focus and not become overwhelmed. You can’t focus on the task-at-hand if you’re worrying about the next one.
Being productive doesn’t have to be difficult; in fact, there are numerous ways you can ensure that you accomplish all of your tasks and goals efficiently. Utilize tools and form habits that help your brain focus and work stronger.
Small changes or improvements will increase your productivity and, as a result, create a healthier, happier work-life balance.
