How to Increase Your Productivity

 

Do you ever wonder how some people seem to find time to work full time, care for their families and write books, start businesses, and or volunteer in the community? Those folks have the same 24 hours that you do. Billionaire investor Warren Buffet has told interviewers that he says “no” far more often than he says yes. Here are a few productivity practices that will help you rein in your to-do list and have time for the things that matter to you.

1. Plan your day in advance. Take a few minutes in the evening and decide the three most important things that you must do the following day. Schedule those tasks on your calendar. If possible, complete the tasks on schedule or ahead of schedule.

2. Create urgency. When you’re about to leave work for the weekend or for a vacation, you’re suddenly about to turbo charge your productivity. Use this same idea to complete tasks. Set a timer. If you know you should be able to complete a task in 60 minutes, set a timer. By creating a deadline for yourself, you will work more quickly and efficiently.

3. Say no. There are literally thousands of things clamoring for your attention. There are real and virtual groups, books, TV shows, movies, and shopping centers. You have something that you want to do, but you can’t seem to get it done. You must start saying no to the people, places and things that don’t get you any closer to accomplishing your goal. And you must say no to yourself. No to watching 2-3 hours of TV a night. No to trolling on social media for several hours a week.

4. Bunch similar tasks. For instance, try only checking email twice a day. If you need to create blog posts, create two or three in one sitting. In other words, get into the zone for a task and then knock out similar tasks.

5. Ask a better question. Instead of asking, “Why can’t I ever find time to write/exercise/manage my money?” Ask yourself, when will I write/exercise/manage my money this week. Don’t say that you don’t have time. You have time for the things that are important. Critically consider what you are saying yes to.

Try one or all of these tips to increase your productivity. What productivity hacks do you use that aren’t mentioned here?