Want to become more productive in 2014? Try keeping these helpful tips in mind to maximize your productivity over the course of the new year.
1. Start your day earlier: Give yourself an extra hour in the mornings and you will be surprised by the amount of work you can get done while everyone else is still sleeping. Make it easier on yourself by starting gradually and wake up 15-20 minutes earlier each day.
2. Make to-do lists: Take 5-10 minutes each morning to make a list of everything you need to get done. This helps you remember what you actually need to get done and prioritize it. Also, try making a list at the end of the day for the following day while everything is fresh in your mind.
3. Write down your goals: By writing down your goals you are clarifying what you want and making your ideas become more concrete which motivates you to take action. When you are taking action you are more likely to achieve your goals.
4. Stop multi-tasking: Our society today is filled with distractions, which makes getting work done even harder. Focus your energy on doing one thing at a time until that task is done. Multitasking can reduce productivity by approximately 40-percent according to some researchers.
5. Turn off your phone: The emergence of smart phones with their multitude of apps can diminish productivity and more provide distraction. Turn off your phone when you are working on a task and do not turn it back on until the task is complete.
6. Avoid excessive coffee/energy drinks: Coffee and energy drinks have a large amount of sugar, caffeine and other stimulants that can be very unhealthy for your body and mind when consumed in excess. While coffee and energy drinks may make you feel more alert for a short period of time, you will ultimately crash and become more fatigued than you were initially. When it comes to these drinks, moderation is key.
7. Drink more water: When you are busy at work it is easy to forget to hydrate yourself. Your body is composed of roughly 60% water, which means it is vital to replenish your body by drinking water throughout the day. Signs of dehydration include headaches, confusion, loss of focus and irritability. Add a slice of lemon to your water to help boost your immune system and add flavor.
8. Focus on goals, not time: Focusing on how much time you put into a task can be very damaging to your productivity and lead to frustration. Focus on actually completing the task instead!
9. Clean up your work space: Having a disorganized desk or work space can create stress and causes distraction. Take some time to get organized and you will find that it clears your mind and allows you to work more effectively.
10. Don’t forget to move around: When you find yourself losing focus, take a five to ten minute break to take a walk or even perform a quick workout. A quick workout could include two sets of push-ups and sit-ups or you can even use the handles of your chair to perform dips. This is a way great way to refresh your mind and body.