Top 27 Productivity Hacks
As 2018 approaches, many professionals focus on what they can do better next year. Increasing productivity at work is a common New Year's resolution, since there is almost always room to improve anyone's practices.
To help you get started, here are 27 productivity tips to start 2018-2019 correctly.
While working in an environment where everyone can see your Google calendar or Outlook may be convenient, it can also create problems for you if you do not take control of your time. Others may see empty spaces as opportunities to schedule meetings, even if you intend to use time for other tasks.
Instead of leaving your calendar in the hands of others, block the time you need to handle critical tasks. That way, it will not be derailed by an unexpected meeting request.
When you need to complete a detail-oriented job, close non-critical notifications so you can concentrate more easily.
If you find yourself wasting time on sites that are not essential for the job (and you use a Mac), consider including them in a blacklist for periods using the Self Control application. The websites you add to the list will automatically be blocked for the selected time, making sure you do not get distracted by your search for a perfect meme to share with your friends.
Windows users can try similar applications, such as Stay Focused for Chrome or Cold Turkey for additional controls.
Many professionals enjoy the ambient sound when they work, but music with lyrics (at least in the languages you speak) can be distracting. Choose instruments for ambiance or white noise to block the sound, and you will not be tempted to stop and sing along with the melody.
8. Address first what you should do.
While it seems to be common sense, many people give up certain mandatory tasks in favor of simpler tasks, although less critical. However, this can leave you in trouble if you do not allow enough time to do the work.
To break the cycle, always start with the essential projects first, no matter what happens. You will be grateful for your diligence the afternoon.
Whenever possible, group similar tasks. When your brain is already getting involved in a particular way, use it for your benefit by focusing on similar activities in quick succession.
While meetings can be vital to your business, they have the unpleasant habit of expanding to fit the range of time available, even if those additional conversations do not provide value. To avoid the meeting version of the scope scope, reduce the time by 25 percent. It will continue to address important issues, but will be less likely to have unnecessary discussions.
And, if meeting in person is not completely necessary, consider eliminating the meeting altogether. Your staff will thank you.
Most business owners want to have everything in their hands, but this can leave you overburdened. Know what tasks your contribution really requires and which ones can be handled by properly trained professionals. Once you divide the work, delegate or outsource quickly so that people can start with their to-do lists.
You can take a class or explore free resources online, according to your schedule, so you must commit to learning something new today.
Repeat the process weekly or monthly for an optimal effect.
At least once a week, check with yourself by assessing how you feel and then make plans to remedy any negative emotions that may persist. Personal care is important for productivity, so do not neglect yourself continuously in the name of doing more in the office.
Having two full-sized computer screens is incredibly beneficial, especially if you have to consult a report while creating a document, or any other combination of resources and activities. Larger screens make text easier to read, and monitors Duals avoid the constant change between pages or applications, which makes it worth the investment.
When people start a project, they often start by default at the beginning. But if you're stuck, do not be afraid to abandon the introduction and, instead, focus on another segment. Sometimes, it's easier to start in the middle of a document, or even at the end, so do not limit yourself to a particular order if it just does not work.
If you are working on a long document or report, press the Save button as often as possible. While many programs have automatic saving functions, the delays can be quite long. To preserve your work, make a habit of saving after each key point.
You can click on the icon or use a keyboard shortcut to get the job done, any of which only takes a second. But, if it avoids having to rewrite paragraphs of information, it's worth it.
Trying to keep up with the news is essentially impossible, allowing it, in general, to work as a waste of time. In addition, it can be trivial and even unreliable, and is not necessarily good for your brain. Do yourself a favor and abandon the avalanche of news that can easily take over your life. Worth it.
Ultimately, multitasking is a myth that many of us fall into at some point. Instead of dividing your attention and quickly changing activities, commit your focus to the task at hand and you will see your productivity increase.
To help you get started, here are 27 productivity tips to start 2018-2019 correctly.
1. Build your energy.
Highly productive people seem to be full of enthusiasm, but that is not natural for everyone. To help you increase your energy levels, take a moment each morning to write down your purpose or the reason for your current search. It serves as an excellent reminder of why you are giving everything to your work and can function as your own source of motivation.
2. Control your calendar.
While working in an environment where everyone can see your Google calendar or Outlook may be convenient, it can also create problems for you if you do not take control of your time. Others may see empty spaces as opportunities to schedule meetings, even if you intend to use time for other tasks.Instead of leaving your calendar in the hands of others, block the time you need to handle critical tasks. That way, it will not be derailed by an unexpected meeting request.
3. Create a mini crisis.
Some people thrive under pressure, allowing them to achieve more than they originally thought possible within the time frame. You can recreate that feeling by blocking less time than you really think you need. Often, you will find that your approach improves when you start working and eventually ends on time.4. Get rid of your smartphone notifications.
While completely shutting down your smartphone is not always practical, managing your notifications is. Frequent pop-up windows distract and almost guarantee that you distract your attention from the task at hand.When you need to complete a detail-oriented job, close non-critical notifications so you can concentrate more easily.
5. Schedule the email time.
E-mail notifications are another notorious factor of interruption of concentration, so it is guaranteed that the delivery of each alert will make the task head down is a challenge. Do not let the email take over your day. Instead, schedule the time at the beginning and end of the day specifically for email. Then, unless something especially critical comes along, feel free to ignore it the rest of the time.
6. Put the websites to suck time into the waiting time.
If you find yourself wasting time on sites that are not essential for the job (and you use a Mac), consider including them in a blacklist for periods using the Self Control application. The websites you add to the list will automatically be blocked for the selected time, making sure you do not get distracted by your search for a perfect meme to share with your friends.Windows users can try similar applications, such as Stay Focused for Chrome or Cold Turkey for additional controls.
7. Avoid the letters.
Many professionals enjoy the ambient sound when they work, but music with lyrics (at least in the languages you speak) can be distracting. Choose instruments for ambiance or white noise to block the sound, and you will not be tempted to stop and sing along with the melody.8. Address first what you should do.
While it seems to be common sense, many people give up certain mandatory tasks in favor of simpler tasks, although less critical. However, this can leave you in trouble if you do not allow enough time to do the work.
To break the cycle, always start with the essential projects first, no matter what happens. You will be grateful for your diligence the afternoon.
9. Assume two minute assignments in second place.
Small tasks can make your list of tasks seem insurmountable. So, to reduce things, after handling your duties, go straight to your quick tasks. You can mark the elements of your list, which is rewarding by itself, and make the rest of your day feel less loaded with minutiae.
10. Enter a slot.
Whenever possible, group similar tasks. When your brain is already getting involved in a particular way, use it for your benefit by focusing on similar activities in quick succession.
11. Reduce meeting times by 25 percent.
While meetings can be vital to your business, they have the unpleasant habit of expanding to fit the range of time available, even if those additional conversations do not provide value. To avoid the meeting version of the scope scope, reduce the time by 25 percent. It will continue to address important issues, but will be less likely to have unnecessary discussions. And, if meeting in person is not completely necessary, consider eliminating the meeting altogether. Your staff will thank you.
12. Consider standing meetings.
When people settle into a chair, they are more likely to feel comfortable in space. If you need things to progress quickly, adopt a stand-up format, completely relinquishing the chairs. This prevents people from accommodating themselves and encourages them to get to the point and move on with their day.13. Perfect is the enemy of good.
When it comes to your business, you probably want to make sure everything is perfect. But perfection can ultimately be the enemy, and it is often an illusion, especially if you keep pushing to improve something that is already good. Do not delve into something that has a respectable form. Instead, continue with other tasks and accept that the good can be good enough for success.
14. Know when to delegate and outsource.
Most business owners want to have everything in their hands, but this can leave you overburdened. Know what tasks your contribution really requires and which ones can be handled by properly trained professionals. Once you divide the work, delegate or outsource quickly so that people can start with their to-do lists. 15. Do not neglect professional development.
Regardless of your position, there is always more to learn. Professional development helps you acquire new skills and perspectives, allowing you to be more effective. If a new competition allows a higher level of productivity, then work to obtain it.You can take a class or explore free resources online, according to your schedule, so you must commit to learning something new today.
16. Embrace automation.
In today's technological world, there are many options to automate processes, such as emails and proposals or delivery of quotes. If there is a task that you can automate, investigate. You can significantly reduce your to-do list.17. Cancel the subscription and stop following.
If a newsletter or a Twitter feed no longer provides you with value, cancel or cancel the registration immediately. This will clean your inbox and source, which will allow you to find useful information quickly and decrease the time you should spend on inbox maintenance.Repeat the process weekly or monthly for an optimal effect.
18. Talk to yourself.
At least once a week, check with yourself by assessing how you feel and then make plans to remedy any negative emotions that may persist. Personal care is important for productivity, so do not neglect yourself continuously in the name of doing more in the office.19. Have a "no" strategy.
Saying yes to each task leaves you overwhelmed, but saying that it can not be your own source of stress. To make it easier to say, create a strategy in advance, including email templates or scripts, to simplify the conversation.This will decrease the amount of time spent in the discussion and ensure that your point is effectively transmitted.
20. Invest in dual screens.
Having two full-sized computer screens is incredibly beneficial, especially if you have to consult a report while creating a document, or any other combination of resources and activities. Larger screens make text easier to read, and monitors Duals avoid the constant change between pages or applications, which makes it worth the investment.
21. Do not notice where you start.
When people start a project, they often start by default at the beginning. But if you're stuck, do not be afraid to abandon the introduction and, instead, focus on another segment. Sometimes, it's easier to start in the middle of a document, or even at the end, so do not limit yourself to a particular order if it just does not work. 22. Use templates.
If you are repeatedly creating the same documents, you are wasting your time. Instead, create or download templates for the most commonly used formats and content types. Then, you can simply start with a template instead of reinventing the wheel.
23. Save, save, save.
If you are working on a long document or report, press the Save button as often as possible. While many programs have automatic saving functions, the delays can be quite long. To preserve your work, make a habit of saving after each key point.You can click on the icon or use a keyboard shortcut to get the job done, any of which only takes a second. But, if it avoids having to rewrite paragraphs of information, it's worth it.
