Follow these tips to make sure you’re maximising productivity and getting all your work done.
Have a detailed to-do list
Managing your time effectively starts with knowing exactly what needs to be done! Planning with a to-do list at the start of the day is essential to ensure you can manage your time effectively. Highlight the tasks that are highest priority so you get those ticked off in time.
There are fantastic digital tools available these days that are guaranteed to keep you on track. Website and app Todoist is a great option – you can sync it with your Google calendar, schedule tasks, make recurring events and have multiple lists.
Try creating two to-do lists for work – one with an ongoing list of things to do, and a ‘to do today’ list. You can then drag tasks between each list, which helps to keep your ‘today’ list short and manageable so you don’t feel overwhelmed.
Eat the frog
Mark Twain once said, “If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.” The ‘frog’ is your most dreaded task on your to-do list.
Prevent yourself procrastinating by getting the task you are least looking forward to out of the way at the start of the day. You absolutely won’t regret it once you’ve completed it.
Break up big tasks with smaller ones
If you have a task that is bound to be long and arduous, break it up with smaller, more manageable jobs to make it bearable.
Tell yourself you’ll only work on it for half an hour, and then move on to something else that will take a short amount of time. Once that other task is done, come back to the big one.
Take regular scheduled breaks
If you’re really struggling to stay focused, you can apply the same rule above to taking breaks.
The Pomodoro Technique is a simple productivity method worth trying. Set a timer for 25 minutes and work on your task for that long. Once the time is up, set another timer for 5 minutes and spend that time doing something you enjoy.
After four blocks, you can take a longer break of 15-30 minutes. It might seem like it will take longer for you to complete the task at hand, but if focus is an issue for you, it should make you more productive.
Work to your own body clock
Take advantage of working from home by building a schedule that works for you.
If you’re someone who is more productive in the morning, or would rather get their work out of the way, clock on earlier. Or work later if you’re more of a night owl. Maybe you’d prefer to spread out your day by taking an hour here to exercise, another hour there to cook lunch, and so forth. If your productivity it going to be increased by flexibility, then take advantage of it.
Just make sure you recognise that other people from your office might be keeping regular work hours, so be prepared to answer emails or calls at times outside of your ‘new’ hours.
