This will help you be more productive
It’s Monday again, and you roll out of bed, either excited about your day ahead or dreading it. To be realistic, the week started the day before! How do you make each day count towards a fulfilling and productive week? These tips will help you have a week above average:
1. Learn something new in your field of work
Separate at least one hour a day to study something that will help you grow in your field and prepare you for the next level. Are you trying to boost your online presence? Learn how people do that! Do you need to increase sales? Study how to be successful. From books to podcasts and TED talks, you can grow as a professional and as a person. Have a growth mindset.
Life is busy, so intentionally add learning to your schedule. You can read an article during your break, listen to a podcast during your commute, or spend 30 minutes on an online course.
You can learn about things you can apply to any line of work, such as time management skills or task prioritization. But even if you are only interested in a hobby, such as knowing a foreign language or playing an instrument, learning something new every day will stimulate your brain and release dopamine, the feel-good hormone.
Challenge yourself constantly, and learning is a way to do that. It will help you be a better version of yourself the next day.
2. Do some physical activity at least four times a week
Everyone knows the benefits of exercise on your health and body. But more than that, exercising has a significant impact on job performance! A recent study shows that daily physical activity will produce next-day resources called “resource caravans.” They are:
- Physical resources: for example, your sleep quality will have immediate benefits. You’ll sleep better, which will be good for both your body and your brain.
- Affective resources: your vigor. That means increased energy and vitality.
- Cognitive resources: task focus. You’ll have better attention, concentration, and improved information processing.
It doesn’t matter how busy you are and you think you don’t have the luxury of spending time on yourself. Or if you just want to relax at the end of the day because your work is already physically demanding and you think you don’t need to exercise anymore. It’s still important to get some exercise. It will boost your brain and keep you mentally sharp. It doesn’t need to be intense to be effective. Low-impact activity, like aerobic exercises, will target your heart rate zone and increase mental agility, making you more productive.
3. Have a to-do list and follow it
I always loved to-do lists and would write endless tasks I aimed to accomplish daily. Most of the time they were unrealistic, I know. But to-do lists work and are critical to efficiency and productivity. You just need to do it right. I tried several ways and finally found a method that works for me and helps me keep focused on my goals. Find one that works for you.
Writing down things helps you free your mind from your tasks while giving you a visual guide to help you get things done. You can write your list on a giant board on the wall, in a notebook, or you can go digital and use an app. A to-do list will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed, forgetting important tasks, and missing deadlines. Plus, the feeling of crossing the functions as you do them is a bonus!
4. Say no to distractions that steal your time
That one check on your phone that you thought would take 2 seconds can quickly become an embarrassing waste of time. Especially if you start doing things that are supposed to be work, thinking you’re still being productive, like checking your email or sending a message. But multitasking doesn’t work because your brain cannot do two things simultaneously. You’ll only be jumping from one task to the other, on top of the disadvantage of losing focus on either one. So remove all the distractions until you’re done with whatever you are doing first.
5. Drink plenty of water every day
The human brain is composed of 73% of water. So, to function correctly, it needs to be hydrated. Studies show that even mild dehydration, like 1%, can decrease productivity by 12%. You should drink enough water to increase productivity, get things done, and see results at the end of the day.
Staying hydrated is linked to better concentration, improved focus, and less mental fatigue. The recommended amount is 2–3 liters every day, and of course, that depends also on your particular needs. If you do more strenuous exercise, or drink alcohol or caffeinated beverages, you should drink more water.
Set a reminder if you need to. Always have water available close to you. Don’t wait to feel thirsty.
6. Be thankful
How can gratitude boost your productivity? Simple! To start, it will make you automatically happier. It will also improve your ability to cope with challenges in life, so when you’re facing difficulties, you won’t let it consume you. Instead, you’ll see the positive side and how things can improve.
Practicing gratitude will also directly affect your mental and physical health. It will help you reduce stress that can cause physical issues, like headaches, stomach problems, or a weakened immune system. With those things out of the way, you can accomplish much more!
But to get the benefits, you need to practice every day. So, at the end of the day, close your eyes and give thanks for everything you accomplished; it doesn’t matter if you didn’t do all you wanted. Call or write someone, thanking them for their positive impact on your life. Write a gratitude journal. Be thankful. Gratitude will improve your quality of life and boost your productivity.
