- Theme your days + batch tasks. A while back I got into the habit of creating a theme for my days so I could batch my tasks more effectively. If you aren’t aware, “batching” your tasks means that you’re focusing on just one thing at a time instead of jumping from task to task. For example, you might write five blog posts back to back. It’s easier to continue writing once you get into that writing groove as opposed to writing one post, doing another task, and then going back to writing. So, I made blogging my theme for Fridays. I would spend Fridays writing all of my posts for the following week, then creating all the graphics for those posts, and then get them all scheduled. To be more productive this month, try creating a theme for your days and batching your tasks so you can focus on one thing at a time instead of multitasking. Here’s an example: Mondays could be admin days where you answer emails, schedule social media, etc. Tuesdays could be your client days where you take calls and handle all other client-related tasks. Give it a go and see how it works for you!
- Try the Pomodoro Technique. The Pomodoro Technique requires you to work for 25 minutes straight and then you get to take a five minute break. During those 25 minutes, you are to stay focused on the task at hand and get as much done as you can. Once the time is up, you’re free to take a five minute break to do whatever you want. Maybe you’ll grab a snack or check social media. The short, frequent breaks are meant to lessen burnout. I haven’t tried this technique myself, but I’m planning to implement it this month because I’ve heard great things. (Quick tip: I love Coffitivity as a productivity tool, which gives you the sounds of a coffee shop to increase your focus.)
- Focus on your MITs. Let’s face it… Those incredibly long to-do lists can sometimes seem overwhelming. Instead of writing long lists, write down just one to three Most Important Tasks every day or the night before. This allows you to see what you really should be focusing on each day. Plus, a shorter list is a lot less daunting. You can focus on getting the important things done and you won’t stress about what didn’t get completed.
- Turn off the notifications. If you want to be more productive, you need to put down your phone and close those social media and inbox tabs. My productivity increased when I turned off my email notifications on my phone because I no longer dropped everything to check them when they came through. Block off time on your calendar each day to check emails or spend time on social media if you’d like. But don’t check Snapchat while you’re in the middle of working. Stay tuned in to the task at hand instead of stopping to see what your friends are posting.
- Learn to say no. When someone reaches out and asks you to do something for them, you’re probably more inclined to say yes, even if your schedule is already full. This month, don’t take on more than you can handle. If you do, you’ll be left feeling stressed and overwhelmed. And it’s likely that your work performance will suffer too. Only take on what you can handle so you can focus on what’s most important to you.
How will you be more productive this month?
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