In today’s stressful world, it feels like there is no pause button. From the pandemic to deadlines to your social life, it feels like everyday life is full of anxiety, stress, and drama. More than often we find ourselves with to-do lists that are pages long and only half as much time to get them completed. In order to tackle this problem, we need to improve our productivity and learn to manage ourselves better. While it seems easier said than done, by following a few simple steps I will outline in this blog, you will be tackling your tasks with unparalleled productivity.
Create a Doable To-Do List
Our to-do lists do not have to be two pages long. Often, we must prioritize quality over quantity and put our best effort into every task at hand. If your list for the week is packed, be sure to divide the work amongst the different days. If you attempt to complete all your tasks in one day, you will face burnout and get less accomplished. This does not mean that you shouldn’t work hard; it just means that you must be reasonable with yourself.
Take Breaks
While Hollywood’s idea of “productive” may be characters miraculously getting all their work done in hours without any breaks, it is very unrealistic. We cannot expect ourselves to be able to work hours on end without breaks and not experience fatigue. In order to be productive, we must allocate time between tasks for relaxation, whether you read a book or take a walk. Based on the task and the amount of effort and time required, you can determine how much time you will allocate for your break. I suggest using the Pomodoro Technique or modifying it to fit your needs. While breaks may appear to be counterproductive and a waste of your time, they allow your brain to recharge and face the tasks ahead of you with ease.
Focus
While you are working, give it all your focus. Focus is a core concept that needs to be mastered in order to achieve great productivity. Remove all distractions from your work environment. This will aid you in focusing on your task and getting more done. If you are browsing Netflix instead of writing a report, you will only be wasting more time and will feel the consequences later on. Think about this: wouldn’t you rather enjoy a movie without guilt hanging over you?
Reward
If you have been productive for a whole week—or a day, treat yourself to a reward to celebrate your success! Whether you dine at your favorite restaurant or binge your favorite series, this will serve as a source of motivation for you to keep up your good work.
These steps to productivity have worked for me, and if you follow them, completing your to-do list will be an effortless task!
Authored By – Vaishnavi Kumbala