Plenty of people say that they would like to be more productive. Who doesn’t want to get more done each day? It’s a great skill to be able to drive yourself to accomplish more and more each day. So why doesn’t everybody do it?
Being more productive is something you can work at, but you need to be the one to take control and do the work—this is what separates the leaders from the followers. Looking for a place to start building a better you? Try implementing these four habits into your life and you will be more productive in no time.
Follow the 80/20 Rule
The 80/20 rule can be applied to almost every aspect of your life. What it says is that 80% of your results are produced from 20% of your work. Also known as the Pereto rule, the idea is to see what produces the best results and prioritize that work. Are you spending most of your time worrying about the stuff that produces fewer results? Maybe it’s time to reduce your interest, or even drop it altogether. By simplifying your workload, you can become more efficient with your time.
According to Forbes, this can be applied to most things. Business, personal planning, and even your free time can all become more productive by using the 80/20 rule.
Plan for the Worst Outcome
The most successful people in the world did not get there just because they had a lot of things go right for them. They are there because they faced plenty of failures and they were prepared to deal with them. Having a plan is a great step in the process of being productive. Having several plans for several different outcomes is even better. There is no downside to being too prepared.
Recognizing that you might fail does not make you negative or a bad leader either. It means you are realistic and ready for whatever life throws at you. A main part of being a good leader is being able to act when things go against the plan. It’s only when you succumb to failure that you know you have truly failed.
Don’t Multitask
Multitasking is the quickest way to burn out. Many people believe that they are masters of multitasking, when in reality, they are masters of devoting less time and energy to each task. You’ll produce better results when you focus on one thing at a time, and every successful and productive person will tell you this time and time again.
According to research conducted by the American Psychological Association, it’s bad for your brain to switch that often between tasks. Not only will focusing on one task make you more productive, but it will also help your health in the long run.
Take Your Time in the Morning
The morning is the most important time of the day. It sets the tone for the rest of the day, and it can ruin your plans just as easily. Productive people wake up early, but they don’t necessarily jump right into work. Waking up early allows you to take longer to ease into the work you need to do. Take time in the morning to reset yourself and avoid thinking about work for a few moments—that’s what the rest of the day is for.
Eat breakfast, read a few chapters of a book, listen to some music, get a workout in, or just step outside and breathe in the morning. The work will still be there when you are done, and your body and your mind will thank you for it later. Making the most of your morning is the best way to retain your productivity.
Produce the Product!
The main thing holding you back from greatness is your own self. By introducing these techniques, you are going to boost your productivity to levels you didn’t even know possible. Get out there and start achieving your goals and become the best leader you know you can be.
Still having trouble feeling motivated and empowered? Check out our post on “Ways to Empower Yourself When You Feel Powerless.”
