1. Prioritize
We all know someone who just seems to get more things done than we ever thought possible. Here’s their secret, they prioritize! They have cultivated the skill of putting tasks in order of importance.
Here are some ways that you can do the same. Consider deadlines. When does this task need to be accomplished? Are there other more important tasks that take precedence? Will this task take less than a minute? If so, it is better to take care of it right away. That will allow you to check it off your list of to-do’s which boosts your serotonin and also means you no longer have to worry about it.
2. Set Goals
Tony Robbins, a world-renowned business strategist, author, and performance coach says; “Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.”
Maybe you prefer to simply make a list. If you are looking for something a little more visual, try creating a vision board! You can create a physical copy by cutting out some pictures from your favorite magazine. You can then glue these pictures onto a poster board. Alternatively, you can use a Pinterest board.
Whatever your method of creation, be sure that it includes both your short and long-term goals and that you refer back to it often, especially on the hard days. Don’t be afraid to look at it multiple times a day if you need to! It makes such a difference to remember why you are doing what you are doing.
3. Exercise
This one is especially important if you struggle to stay on top of your mental health. The first thing on any list of coping strategies for anxiety and depression is exercise! Our biggest piece of advice on getting started with this is to start small. Don’t make it miserable for yourself or you will have no desire to continue.
Maybe you start by stretching for 10 minutes in the morning, maybe you prefer to walk your dog around the block. Regardless, there are so many studies out there indicating that exercise reduces stress, improves mood, boosts memory, releases serotonin and endorphins (your feel-good hormones), and enhances your overall health.
4. Take Breaks
Is your lack of motivation a sign of an unmet need? Try taking a break! If spontaneity isn’t your thing, feel free to schedule breaks as well as other fun activities. Additionally, We are not above a good bribe: a yummy snack, a warm bath, or a TV show. Maybe if the task at hand is an especially difficult one, you will decide to assign a bigger reward like a fancy dinner at that restaurant you’ve been dying to try, purchasing something you’ve had on your Amazon wish list, or even taking a vacation!
5. Adequate Sleep
Easier said than done, am I right? We’ve all experienced wanting to watch one more episode, have a late-night snack, or scroll through social media for just a few more minutes. Adequate sleep is linked to many of the same benefits as exercise. Even exercise itself can lead to a good night’s sleep (as long as it’s not done too close to bedtime).
Here are a few reasons those extra z’s can boost your mind and increase your productivity: sleep improves memory, decreases brain fog, increases your attention span, strengthens your immune system (sickness is a big thumbs down to productivity), reduces stress, and it helps you get along with others better (nothing like a solid argument with a coworker to destroy your momentum).
6. Meditation
This one has been recently increasing in popularity. There are now numerous apps out there (both free and paid) to help teach and encourage meditation. How can meditation make you more productive? It improves sleep (are you starting to see how these are all connected?), reduces stress, increases focus, lengthens your attention span, enhances creativity, and increases energy levels.
7. Morning & Night Time Routine
Creating a morning and nighttime routine takes the thinking out of daily tasks saving you brain power for when you need it most. Sometimes things like waking up, brushing teeth, getting dressed, checking the weather, and preparing breakfast can seem like a lot first thing in the morning. Maybe you will choose to add some of the habits to promote productivity we’ve suggested to get those checked off early in the day so that you can already have a sense of accomplishment early on. In the evening, what helps relax? Consider carving out time to wind down. If you don’t plan, you plan to fail (especially when tired!). Accordingly, these habits can hone mental sharpness, reduce stress, and increase energy.
8. Go Outside
Nature is cheaper than therapy as they say. Modern society can be very over stimulating with numerous sources competing for your attention. For example, there are Billboards, notifications, the rumble of traffic, and I’m sure you can think of a hundred other things. Consequently, being outside improves your mental well-being, lessens feelings of anxiety and anger, boosts your immunity, improves concentration, sharpens cognition, and even improves relationships.
9. Journal
Journaling increases your confidence, helps you achieve goals, improves your communication skills, enhances memory, reduces stress, and boosts creativity. In addition, you might find if there is one of these habits to promote productivity to start with, it is this one. It is the gateway to mind and productivity enhancement. If journaling increases your confidence, you are more willing and open to trying new habits.
10. Practice gratitude
Gratitude can help you find meaning in your work, reduce impatience, and improve decision-making. Likewise, those who practice gratitude usually experience better sleep and more frequent exercise. In the workplace, gratitude is an excellent managerial skill and results in less turnover. Furthermore, an easy way to implement gratitude is to use the previous habit of journaling! Gratitude journals are a popular and easy method of practicing gratitude.
11. Eat Healthy
Finally, Speaking of gratitude, let’s talk about that feeling you get after Thanksgiving dinner. You’ve been well fed. Maybe a little too well-fed? You’ve had your fill of turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie and now you’re settling in for a nice afternoon nap. That’s fine seeing as Thanksgiving is once a year. However, overeating, or any form of unhealthy eating, is a sure road to disaster when it comes to being productive.
The key here is consistency; thus, a few days of healthy eating will not make up for a month of unhealthy eating. Again, start small! For instance, you might start with a goal of 1 vegetable a day or one less energy drink a day. Nonetheless, make sure it is something you can stick with for a while before making more changes.
Implement Your New Habits to Promote Productivity
In conclusion, you might consider picking one or a few of these habits to promote productivity and start making a change. Slow and steady wins the race! Whatever you choose, we hope these ideas can jump-start your journey on the path to muscle-flexing your productivity skills.
Thanks for reading! If you would like to see more of Loren’s writing, click here.