I would say that I am generally quite good at time management. I am a very structured and methodical person, so everything that is organisation is good for me and comes more or less naturally. However, staying productive is truly an art and even more so during these times. So, I thought it’s a good time to share my top tips for staying productive. My archenemy when it comes to productivity is definitely multitasking. Due to the nature of my job, I have become a bit of a multitasking monster. While it’s sometimes good and helps me be on top of my game, it can also be bad as I often cannot focus on a single task at hand.
Nonetheless, this post is all about a few simple, yet effective productivity “hacks” that I stick to on the regular. On the one hand, they help me stay on track and get done what needs to be done. On the other hand, they also help reduce the mental stress; which is oh, so welcome. So here they are, my top tips for staying productive:
My top tips for staying productive
Make a to-do list
Making a mental dump either at the start or at the end of the workday, is such a simple yet powerful productivity tool. Instead of overburdening yourself with the thought of a never-ending to-do list, do yourself a favour and write everything down. I mean, raise your hand if you ever “happen” remember about those pressing emails you need to reply to and that report you need to fix, right when going to bed. This way, you free up mental space so that instead of stressing over how much you need to do, you can actually focus on getting them done one by one.
Put your calendar to work
Hopefully, you already know that you should control your calendar. A meeting will only be there if you accept it, and there will only be available time on your calendar if you leave it available. Make sure to actively block your calendar so that you have enough time for actual work outside of meetings. Also, schedule any reports you need to send and other prep work you need to do with their own calendar invites. This way you do the “brain dump” mentioned above while you also organise your time; win-win.
Take a break, make a tea/coffee and then start tackling your to-do list
My favourite way to work is with a coffee by my side. I, of course, have to limit my daily coffee intake – otherwise, I would be drinking it non stop. However, often I like to group my to do’s with my coffee break so I have the extra motivation needed. It’s the best way to brighten up my workdays.
Do the hardest task first
This one is my favourite. I love to do the hardest thing first because once I am done with it, it will be a breeze to go through the rest of my to-do list. However, I have to admit, I will sometimes also do it the other way around if I need a productivity boost; generally, I do it for my ego when need to feel like I’ve accomplished a lot.
I hope you found my tips for staying productive useful and do let me know what is your favourite productivity tip. Anything you swear by to stay productive?
