21 ways to boost productivity.

Productivity. We all run at different levels of productivity, from a non-stop workaholic, to a normal family man.

Productivity essentially is value for time. How much value are you getting out of the time you spend? There are many various ways in which you can describe productivity, but I think this is the best.

Your efficiency in getting a task finished, can be a good indication to how productive you really are.

For example: someone who takes a couple of hours to complete a task, but is influenced by distractions and overcome by boredom, is not as productive as someone who gets straight on with the task, not stopping until it's finished, and doing it in half of the time. 

1. Going for gold! 

The best and most effective way to do something, is to just force yourself to get on with it.

2. Timeboxing. 

Timeboxing is a great tool to use for enhancing personal productivity. To read what it is, I will refer you to another one of my articles: What is timeboxing?

3. Terminator! 

Eliminate (I should say terminate) all distractions. This includes phones, computers, t.v etc.. You just need to make sure that they're not going to distract you while doing a task. I should say, I don't advise you to eliminate (did it again) your pet, if you have one. You just need to move it to a different room, or do your very best to be overcome by their charms.

4. Peak times. 

Take a note of when your most productive times of the day are and how long they last for. Place crucial jobs to be done in these times, and minor jobs in your non-peak times.

5. Schedule. 

This is a really great tool for productivity, and can help tremendously. To read more about schedules, click here: Benefits of a schedule.

6. Lists. 

Making lists can be real time savers. They're sort of sub-categories to the schedule. You could make one for the shopping, knowing exactly what you need, you will save time.

7. Exercise. 

Studies show that midday exercise can help combat lunchtime fatigue, it also can help in boosting productivity, clearing your head and helping you to think logically.

8. First, do the worst! 

Destroying your worst, most dreaded task first, will help pave the way, for good productivity during the rest of the day. 

If you don't do it first thing, and you leave it until later on, you'll be more likely to put it off even more.

9. Organisation. 

Having an organised, tidy work space, where everything has an allocated place, will definitely help with your personal productivity. Your overall morale will be healthier as well.

Having a relaxing workplace is also a great thing to have along organisation, both working in harmony. If you want to know how to create a relaxing workplace, click the link.

10. Mini-targets. 

For this, set yourself an achievable goal, which doesn't have to necessarily be easy. Once you start this miniature target, you can't stop until you  have to finished this, no matter what.

Depending on the outcome of the task (completed or not), will have either a positive or negative effect on the rest of your day.

11. Bulking. 

Decide, out of all the tasks you have to do, which ones can be done at the same time, or simultaneously, and bulk them together. 

For example: checking your e-mail and printing something off. Knocking two or more jobs off the list in a single blow!

12. Prioritise. 

Make sure your 'top' jobs are at the top of your list, and your secondary jobs...well, second.

13. Early riser.  

The early bird catches the worm. Getting up early can give you hundreds of extra hours a year. To read more about early rising, read: The benefits of being an early riser.

14. Prestissimo!  

Pick up your pace, taking your tempo to the next level!

15. 80-20 Rule.  

20% effort, 80% value. Enough said.

16. Deadlines. 

Set yourself inflexible deadlines, where the task in question must be completed by.

17. Accountability. 

Tell others about the things you are going to get done, this will help with your motivation, not wanting to be a liar.

18. Timed decisions. 

Once you have all of the necessities to make a decision, give yourself 30 seconds to make a choice. Make sure you stick to it.

19. Gap time. 

When you have unusual sessions of doing nothing, fill them in with something like reading, making phone calls etc. These gap time periods could be: Waiting in a queue; travelling on public transport; waiting for the kettle to boil.

20. Sequencing. 

At the end of the day, write down what needs to be done tomorrow.

21. Taking candy from a baby! 

Despite what the title implies, it does not include taking candy from a baby (sigh). Instead it means, when you have a large, complex task, split it up into smaller more manageable tasks. 

By doing this, you will find completing these morbidly horrendous tasks, becomes like...taking candy from a baby! (Hooray).