Wouldn’t it be exciting if we could all boost our Productivity and achieve all our goals? It's a common aspiration, not only for our careers but for our personal lives as well. It's often shocking how swiftly time flies; a 48-hour day in lieu of a 24-hour one would be very much appreciated.
I've discovered numerous ways to thrive amidst all the hustle and bustle, balancing my commitments to my family and pursuing my career goals, and I am excited to share them with you. Let’s go right in… 1) Know Your Peak Productivity Times: When do you feel energized and focused! For some, it's early morning, while for others, it's in the evening. I'm a morning person, while my husband is a night person. Know when you are the most productive and use that time to tackle projects that challenge you intellectually or those that are not so fun but must be completed. Less demanding projects can be completed during less focused time, even with some music in the background if that suits you. Use your time wisely and capitalize on the productive windows to accomplish complex and essential work.
2) Keep a Task List: Create a list of things you wish to accomplish every week, personal and professional. Having a weekly list is preferable to a monthly one, which can be a bit less daunting. Your list should be based on your SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals, simply representing what needs to be done to achieve your goals. It's good to see all your weekly tasks in one place. It helps maintain focus and provides a lovely triumph as you check things off.
3) Prioritize and organize your work using the EISENHOWER Matrix: Let's be realistic; you can't possibly accomplish everything. Knowing which tasks to delegate or postpone can make your workload feel lighter.
4) Plan the Night Before: After organizing your tasks and prioritizing them, plan the next day with assigned time slots for each task. Build in some "make-up" time, especially for the urgent ones, if you cannot complete everything. Remember, things can happen, so be flexible, and don't forget to reassess halfway through your day to adjust your plan as needed.
5) Set Goals and Break them into "digestible" pieces: Goal setting is big for me! It is valuable to break goals down into mini ones. Start with your long-term vision and work backward to outline your "mini-goals” so they are manageable and achievable. Have monthly and weekly goals that will slowly but surely get you to your main goal. Remember they should be specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART). If you're a visual learner, consider displaying your goals somewhere you can easily see them—they serve as fantastic reminders of what you're striving for!
6) Prioritize Quality Over Quantity: It might be tempting to juggle many tasks simultaneously. However, focusing on completing one task thoroughly before moving on to the next can be incredibly fulfilling. Finishing tasks gives you that well-deserved boost of motivation! That said, I caution that there are instances where multitasking can be OK. Let's talk about that more…
7) Multitasking when appropriate: There are times when multitasking can be a good option and even beneficial to you. I told you I am a mom, right? I often prepare my schedule for the next day while waiting to pick up my kids at school. I will listen to engaging podcasts while having my daily walk or while getting my kid's clothes ready for the week. I can do many things within a short period of time. I encourage you to think of when to multitask and leverage that as much as possible.
8) Block Time: Reserve specific time blocks to complete essential tasks without interruptions and free yourself from distractions. Consider putting your phone away.
Use these techniques and let me know if they work for you. Remember, "Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort"—Paul J. Meyer.
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