Regardless of the kind of job you do regularly, there comes a time when you feel like you need more than 24 hours a day to accomplish all items in your to-do list. However, you know that it is not possible, and the least you can do is organize your schedules by applying effective strategies. If you feel tied up in work and unable to complete all your tasks, then these practical ways to be more productive can help you make the most of each day.
1. Learn to prioritize.
You may be a single mom with a regular office job, or a college student who works part-time after school hours. No matter what your status in life, it is important to learn how to prioritize your tasks to avoid burnouts and failure to accomplish anything. How can you do this?
Basically, you should start by thinking about the task that is most important to you – and make sure it is worth your efforts. Start by preparing a list of things you need to do on a monthly or weekly basis. Then, put this list in a place that is easy for you to see each day. Do your best to complete each task by starting from the top to bottom of your list.
2. Be punctual.
Coming to work on time can make a huge difference than always trying to beat the clock. Being punctual can give you plenty of time to relax, condition your mind, and have a feel of all the things you need to do each day. What’s more, you can even avoid traffic on your way to work since the streets are not congested yet when you leave drive to work at an earlier time.
The same holds true when you have some paperwork to do or deadlines to meet. Instead of procrastinating and allowing laziness to take over you, it makes perfect sense to start moving and putting more check marks on your to-do list. If you quit the unhealthy habit of putting things off for the next day, then you can save yourself from stress when paperwork begin to pile up.
3. Have enough sleep.
It is a fact that when you are tired, it is quite impossible to get all pumped up and ready to do your work. Sleeping late at night and waking up early each day can be stressful and unhealthy. When your body is in poor shape, you cannot expect yourself to be alert, active and motivated to work. So, forget about those late night parties on a weeknight, and make it a point you get at least 8 hours of sleep to recharge your mind and body.
4. Organize your office desk.
Having so much clutter on your desk can be a pain. Not only will you have less room to work on, but the clutter can have an impact on your performance. Just imagine having your important documents and files all scattered or buried under your books, folders, or other items that are not even supposed to be on your office desk. So, if it appears as though your desk is already screaming for some serious cleanup and dusting, then it’s time to tidy up the mess immediately. You will notice a huge difference when all your things are organized and placed in their designated areas. It will be easier to find documents that you need, and you will have plenty of space on your desk to do your work.
5. Avoid distractions when working.
If something is not relevant to your work, then you might as well consider it as a distraction. This includes gossiping with colleagues during office hours, surfing the net for irrelevant websites, or texting your friends when you are supposed to be working on that report that is due in an hour. Keep in mind that the more you give in to these distractions, you will feel more overwhelmed with work once things start piling up. So, be kind to yourself and just focus on what is more important.
6. Adopt a healthy diet.
Your health has a huge impact on your performance and energy level. When you deprive your body of essential nutrients, then this can have a negative effect on your cognition and brain functions. You may find yourself unable to concentrate at work, more forgetful, and just plain inefficient. If you want to be more productive, you need to take care of your body by eating right. After all, a healthy body is what you need for a healthy mind.
Ref: lifezap
