5 Effective Ways to Boost Productivity

The pressure of being productive can be intimidating. Seeing people around you checking tasks off their to-do lists, getting dozens of things done and achieving goals while you are struggling with being your productive best self can be hard, even leading to loss of confidence. But by inculcating certain practices in your daily routine, by following certain rules, you will be able to work just as efficiently and boost your productivity. Here are 5 techniques that might help you maximize your work output.

1.      Find Out What Time of the Day You are the Most Productive –

Some people are at their productive best in the morning, some in the afternoon and some later in the evening. In case you feel the pressure of waking up early and squeezing most of your tasks in the morning, remember that’s its not what time of the day you are working in but the quality of the work that’s important. So, find out what time of the day do you feel the most productive and schedule most of your tasks then. This will not only enable you to do things more efficiently, but also ensure that your mind is at ease while doing so.

2.      Use the Eisenhower Decision Matrix –

34^th President of the United States, Dwight Eisenhower had devised a technique to boost productivity, famously known as the Eisenhower Decision Matrix. In case you are unaware, in the Eisenhower Decision Matrix you divide the tasks in your to-do list into 4 boxes, namely Do, Decide, Delegate and Delete. One axis of the matrix is labelled importance and the another one is labelled urgency. Organizing your tasks in the matrix will enable you to visualize your goals, make decisions and prioritize your tasks more effectively, thus enhancing productive output. One of the biggest advantages of the Eisenhower Matrix is that can be used for both short and long-term goals, provided you are consistent with it. Here is an idea of how the matrix looks like:

High Urgency, High Importance   DO (do it now)	Low Urgency, High Importance   DECIDE (schedule it for a different time)
High Urgency, Low Importance   DELEGATE (find someone to do it for you)	Low Urgency, Low Importance   DELETE (eliminate it)

 

3.      The 80/20 Rule –

The 80/20 rule, or the Pareto Principle states that 80% of your outcome comes from 20% of your efforts. In other words, only 20% of what you do actually transform into a majority (80%) of your productive output. So, instead of trying to do everything perfectly, identify what are the tasks that bring home the most results. Focus of doing them efficiently and eliminate any pieces of work that might not have a worthwhile impact on your output. For example, if you are an entrepreneur, identify the 20% of your customers who yield 80% of your revenue and work on giving them the best services.

4.      Take Breaks –

Working long hours at a desk can only lead to blockage of creative outflow. Studies have shown that taking small as well as long breaks can help build a positive mindset towards work which in turn can boost productivity. Try to take your breaks away from your workspace, as it will help you completely zone out of work and just focus on relaxing. Take a stroll outside, talk to a friend, read a book or do light stretches to help you release any stress that you might be holding. Take deep breaths and use your breaks to completely cleanse your mind so that you can return to work with a clear head.

5.      Reward yourself –

Lastly, reward yourself on small accomplishments. Remember that you don’t need to achieve big goals to feel a sense of achievement. Ticking small tasks off your to-do list will what will ultimately lead you to tick off the big ones. Treat yourself with some chocolate when you finish a chapter, watch an episode of your favourite TV show after a successful presentation session with your client or do whatever feels like a small prize from yourself to you. Celebrating small victories are essential to boosting confidence and paving the way for success in the long term.

 

Being productive isn’t a race. You don’t need to be more productive than others to achieve goals. All you need to do is find out what works best for you. Surround yourself with people who encourage you to be a better version of yourself every day, have faith in your own capabilities and success will come to you sooner than you imagined.

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