10 Things You Can Do Right Now To Increase Productivity

Being productive can help you accomplish more in a single day without breaking a sweat or spending too much time on a single task. However, not everyone can remain productive for more than a few hours, and many productive people have to work through blocks and increase their energy to be efficient.

Of course, productivity should never be your only concern. While you want to get more done every day, you should always pay attention to what you’re doing and deliver quality work. You should remember that nobody is perfect, and striving to be productive all the time can lead to burnout and poor mental health. If you want to increase productivity and make yourself more efficient, check out what you can do right now. 

1. Take Breaks

Not every boss you have will be a hero boss who lets you work whenever you want, but many aim to increase employee retention by allowing employees to take breaks whenever they need. Productive people know that they can’t be productive every second of the day and that breaks are necessary to let their minds and bodies rest. However, working productively without a break can lead to stress and burnout; it’s typically best to work in short bursts by setting off a timer and taking a ten-minute break every few hours. 

2. Stop Multitasking

Even if your boss wishes you could do five different jobs simultaneously, you can’t. Multitasking might sound like a way to get more done, but it can actually make you less efficient. Jumping from task to task takes energy and time away from each project. Instead of moving from one task to the next without finishing them, consider completing one task before starting another. By spending more time working on a single task, you can put all of your energy and time into one and quickly finish it up. 

3. Be Happy

It’s impossible for people to stay happy at their jobs at all times. However, enjoying what you do can help you be more productive. If you’re unhappy with your job, your work will show it. Doing your job to the best of your ability depends on how much you love performing the tasks at hand. 

4. Work Flexibly 

A flexible work schedule can allow you to be more productive at work and in life. Instead of worrying about all of the chores you have to do when you get home, you can have those chores done and work when you’re most productive. Some people are most productive in the morning, while others are most productive at night. You can get more done in a single day by working in short bursts when you have the most focus and energy. 

Of course, most workplaces don’t allow you to come into the office whenever you want. However, you might be able to negotiate with your boss to work flexible hours. If your boss isn’t sold on the idea right away, ask them if you can do a trial run to demonstrate your ability to get the same amount of work done with a flexible schedule. You can prove that the more time you have for your household tasks and personal life, the more effectively you can work. 

5. Eliminate Distractions 

Whether you work from home or at an office, you’re going to be faced with distractions. If you work on a computer all day, you might even be distracted by the tool you use to get work done. For example, you might be working on a report only to find out you’re distracted by an advertisement that you opened up in a browser. 

If you work from home, you’ll be distracted by all of the things going around you in your household, including pets, children, and chores. Instead of letting yourself get distracted, you can make a list of all the things you need to do and focus on priorities first. Next, find a quiet environment where you can work with fewer distractions. 

6. Work Outside

Working outside can help you feel energized and relaxed to focus on your work. With a new environment, fresh air, and sunlight, you can help stimulate your mind and body, improving your productivity. 

7. Make a List

If you find that you’re getting scatterbrained throughout the day and you’re not sure what to work on, you might benefit from a list. Creating a shortlist can help you determine your priorities to get the most important tasks done first. Instead of writing a long list, start with a list of two or three tasks. If there’s a task you’re not looking forward to, consider getting it done first to get it out of the way. Once your daunting task is done, you’ll feel more energized to get additional tasks completed. 

8. Move Slowly

Productivity and efficiency shouldn’t be measured by the speed at which you get things done. Instead, you should focus on small tasks and move slowly through your to-do list. Large tasks can be intimidating, especially if you don’t break them into smaller chunks. By breaking up large projects into smaller tasks, you can slowly move through your list of projects. 

9. Be Realistic

When you start your day, you might feel ready for anything. However, as the day goes on and you start to realize you won’t be able to get as much done as you want, you can feel defeated. So, consider what must be done that day instead of starting with a large list of tasks. If tasks aren’t due or don’t need to be done immediately, put them at the bottom of your list. 

As you continue working to be more productive, you’ll learn achievable and realistic goals by measuring how much you can get done in a single day. 

10. Reward Yourself

When you finish your tasks, make sure to take the time to appreciate yourself. While you shouldn’t reward yourself with something that’s unhealthy, you should do something that allows you to sit back and relax. For example, you can take a bubble bath or spend time with your family at the end of a long day. 

Marné Amoguis

Marné Amoguis holds a B.A. in International Business from UC San Diego. She is a contributing writer at 365businesstips.com where she loves sharing her passion for digital marketing. Outside of writing, she loves traveling, playing music, and hiking.