We’ve passed the mid-year slump and for those working from home and commuting to the office every day, you probably feel fatigued. There are still four months left to 2021, how on Earth will we make it through?
You may feel exhausted more often, however, you can still be productive without working extra hours. Often, people assume productivity means working longer and adding more tasks to your already tight schedule. The goal is to work smarter, not harder. Here are a few things productive people do every day that may just inspire you to fit into your daily routine!
1. They prioritise lunch time
How often do you say, “I don’t have time to have lunch?” Or, do you eat lunch from your desk while completing tasks or attending meetings? Both are a no-no. It’s normal to be busy with tasks that when you look again, it’s way past lunchtime. However, scheduling time and blocking them off in your calendar is a great way to prioritise your physical well-being and prevent you from being added to meetings during your lunchtime. This also avoids you grabbing anything to eat that’s close to you and not necessarily nutritious. For instance, opening a packet of chips may seem like a quick fix but eating a balanced meal will keep you fuller for longer and give you the energy you need to fuel you for the rest of the day.
2. They operate from one to-do list
These days, everything is digital. Writing meeting notes are done online, and reminders are recorded via a voice recording. If this works for you and helps you remember things easily, great! However, always make sure you have a backup plan should you experience a power outage. Colour-code your tasks according to their priority. Use a combox which comes in a range of colours, to keep your desk organised and you feeling on top of everything you still need to accomplish for the rest of the week.
3. They don’t check their emails every few minutes
You do not have to check your emails first thing in the morning. After doing some meditation and grabbing a cup of coffee or tea, go through your list of tasks. Look at the ones you’ve managed to complete and enjoy the feeling of triumph that comes with it. Your e-mail can interrupt your flow of thinking so set specific times during the day to check your email. Productive people take advantage of features that prioritise messages by sender. Organise your settings by setting alerts from important senders or create an autoresponder that lets those who have emailed you know when you are ‘away from your desk’ and checking your email again.
4. They get rid of clutter
You may have mountains of clutter on your desk and convince yourself that you know where everything is. Productive people clear unnecessary clutter from their desks, leaving more space for cute plants and just thinking room. You will be amazed by how relaxed you feel when your desk is free from piles of work.
5. They prioritise personal time
Life is about more than just work, work, work. Being a prisoner of your routine will not serve you well and may cause you to be more anxious and stressed throughout the day. The organised individual understands this and makes time in their schedule to do the things they love. Out of a regular 8-hour day, take some time out in your schedule to do something you love. Go for a walk, meditate, read a chapter of your favourite book or catch up with a loved one by phone call.
Being productive does not mean that you should tackle all your projects at once. Find creative ways to stay organised that works for you, and you will feel much more at peace and accomplished at the end of the day.