If you work for yourself, one of the most effective ways to boost your productivity is to schedule your day in advance. Block off public holidays, and make sure you plan your day for as many uninterrupted hours as possible. Work in blocks of 90 minutes a day, and avoid jumping from task to task. In short, you need to plan your day and avoid distracting behaviours that will take your focus away from the task at hand. If you’re looking for tips on how to increase productivity fast, keep reading!
Plan your daily activities
One of the easiest ways to increase your productivity is to plan your daily activities. You can do this by writing them down in a calendar or daily planner. Another option is to download a specialized to-do list app and keep it at your work desk. You can follow the plan to stay focused and get more work done. Be sure to have a backup plan and be flexible enough to reschedule tasks if you need to.
Minimize distractions
Many people are unaware that they are wasting valuable time by being distracted from their work. The University of North Carolina Learning Center has published tips for minimizing distractions. According to the group, working for only one hour at a time and taking short breaks every hour will help people stay focused. By limiting the amount of time that you spend on your phone, you will have more time to focus on what you’re doing.
Work in intervals of no more than 90 minutes per day
The principle of working in intervals of no more than ninety minutes a day is an important part of increasing productivity. When we do a task, our energy levels are highest during these intervals, and it is crucial to take rest breaks every 90 minutes. Work in intervals of no more than 90 minutes per day will allow you to finish the task in the maximum amount of time without burning out or spinning your wheels.
Avoid jumping from task to task
There’s a reason why people have trouble concentrating. They can’t concentrate on one task for days on end, and when they jump from task to task, they’re still thinking about the completed task. If you want to increase your productivity, you should learn how to reduce the amount of attention residue in your brain by planning and sticking to a task list. Instead of bouncing from task to task, try clustering tasks to reduce context switching.
Implement a time tracking system
To improve performance and increase productivity, you need to track your employees’ time. Time tracking introduces accuracy to projects. For instance, a six-hour website fix may be billed as twelve hours. Instead, your staff may spend a dozen hours just managing your support team. Developing better standards of operating procedures can save you time and money. You need a time tracking system to help you measure the true costs of your time. Try Pomodoro timers which are effective in tracking small intervals and are available as apps.
Work remotely
A recent study suggests that a quarter of the workforce could work from home three to five days per week and be as productive as those who spend their days in an office. This would mean that three to four times as many people would be working from home, reshaping the urban economy and its transportation and consumer spending infrastructure. The shift from traditional office environments to remote working is a result of technological and cultural developments. Many companies are offering remote workers more flexibility, enabling them to focus on other aspects of their lives.
