How to be more productive (business productivity)
Posted Apr 10, 2020 01:24 PM
Here are six incredibly effective ways you can become more productive and engaged while getting more done in less time. We're all sometimes stuck with something and we feel like it's impossible to move forward. It's hard being 100% focused every day on your business and stuff you're working on, so let's take a look at the list and see how you can improve your productivity.1.) Identify 5 "High-Return" Activities
Choose the 5 tasks that give you the highest return. Focus on the top 3 and look at the bottom 2 if any of the others are on hold due to external factors you can't control, i.e. awaiting a response.
THE 80/20 RULE
Focus your energy on the 20% of activities you do that delivers 80% of your results.
ALWAYS ADJUST
Priorities and projects are always changing so make sure to regularly update your "high-return" activities.
2.) Identify Your Biggest Time Sinks
Nowadays its easier than ever to get distracted. You need to honestly assess how much time you spend on "time sinks" like TV and social media. Work to ruthlessly eliminate time-wasting distractions.
BLOCK NOTIFICATIONS
Turn off distracting notifications and alerts while you're working to avoid getting thrown off task.
TRACK YOUR TIME
Use the digital productivity tool "RescueTime" to track your activity and hold yourself accountable.
3.) Create To-Do Lists
Don't store everything in your head. This only clutters your mind and disorganizes your work. Use multiple lists to note and organize everything that comes up or enters your thoughts.
USE A "SCRUM" BOARD
This is a highly-effective way to view, manage and report on your to-do lists by using a board and cards.
THE 2-MINUTE RULE
If a task comes up that will take less than 2 minutes to complete, do it right away, don't add to your list.
4.) Use The "Pomordoro" Technique
According to research, the best way to stay productive throughout the day is the work in 20-25 minute sprints followed by a 5-minute break. This keeps your brain focused on the task at hand without overwhelming.
INTENSE FOCUS
While you're working on a project, do not allow yourself to do anything else but that specific project.
TAKE A "REAL" BREAK
Don't get sucked into Facebook on your break. Use that time to stretch, take some breathes or just relax.
5.) Automate Repetitive Tasks
There's a lot of things in life we do over and over again. Luckily, advances in technology along with forward-thinking startups have created endless options to automate your professional and personal life.
YOUR BUSINESS
Use software and apps to automate parts of your marketing, sales, social media and more!
YOUR HOME
Services like Amazon's "Subscribe & Save" will save you countless hours by automating errands and shopping.
6.) Repurpose Your Work
One article can become an infographic, video, podcast topic, Twitter chat discussion, email drip campaign and much more! Don't let any piece of content go to waste - it should never be a 'once and done' campaign.
REACH NEW PEOPLE
Re-publish content across multiple websites with variations/additions.
KEEP IT "EVERGREEN"
Create assets that will continue to be valuable and relevant throughout the years.
