The 5 Most Important Productivity Tips I’ve Learned So Far
The key is to become self-aware that can lead to better decisions.
The year 2023 was enlightening to me in many ways.
I learned the importance of slowing down and the actual meaning of productivity.
For years, my definition of being productive was doing many thing all the times, keeping every second of the day busy.
Planning and planning.. doing and doing.
No matter how exhausted I feel or tired I am.
I work in a demanding job, writing one article per day, trying to have quality time with friends and family, and maintaining daily routines.
It’s a lot.
Even writing about it kind of makes me tired.
But the thing is everyone is doing it, I am not alone.
We all want to make the most of our day or week.
Last year I was forced to unlearn many things and here are 6 time management techniques you can steal to do more in less time.
1- Plan my full week in advance
I used to plan my day but now I plan my week to stay closer to what I intend to do.
I am learning to say more Nos or push things that won’t need immediate attention.
That helped me to keep my to-do as short as possible.
This is helping me keep things short and keep consistency for longer days.
2- Keeping my phone away in a different room
You know how dangerous it is to keep your phone in front of you.
I am severely addicted to scrolling mindlessly for hours without realizing it.
It took me a while to accept that I had a problem.
It steals away your precious time every time you pick up your phone.
Now during the day, I keep my phone in a different room or keep it as far as possible so that I won’t be tempted to keep looking at my phone.
I deleted unnecessary apps and stopped notifications to regain control of my time
3- Make things simple and specific to achieve
Check bank account
Pay the bills
Do the exercise
Write an article
This is how my to-do list used to look earlier for many years.
It’s super vague and doesn’t clarify exactly what I want to do when I sit down doing it.
So I am again spending hours to figure out what I need to do and ultimately getting distracted or losing interest.
Now I am breaking things into simpler forms and writing in a specific way so that when I sit down to do them, my mind knows exactly what I need to do.
Write 300 words on productivity
Check the XYZ bank account to review the last quarter’s statement
Do yoga for 30 minutes at 4 PM
It’s become a game-changer for me.
All of those things are much more manageable and achievable.
4- Some days are going to be bad
There are days when I just don’t feel like doing anything. I want to sleep for an extra hour.
When it gets difficult, I ask myself who I want to be.
I’m not talking about the days that are absolute bad and cannot be salvaged, those days I just want to lay down on my couch and read a book.
or when I made an impromptu plan to meet a friend.
or when some days are just simply bad and everything seems beyond my control
With these experiences in my life, I have learned to accept it instead of fighting it.
I will beat myself, self-criticize, and become anxious.
Now I stopped running away from days like this.
Accepting those days as it is all you need.
Some days are going to be terrible, and that’s okay.
5- Get back to it
After a certain bad day, the only thing you need to do is to get back.
I try to get back to my routine without skipping 3 days in a row.
I learned, the longer the break you take it’s harder to get back.
For example, when you are at your full energy, do your things as much as you can so that when you feel unmotivated, or uninspired, you already have something to go on.
Lastly,
Do you want to know the truth?
So here it is, for 2024, I aspire to become a person who shows up every day and does the best I can.
And on the days that are not in my favor, I will happily lay on my couch and read a book in my comfy pajamas and sip green tea.
Would love to hear your thoughts in comments.
Be Bold
Be Courageous
Be Your Best
What are the areas you want to spend time to create a loving life?
Share in the comments.
Love,
Ankita