Three Ways to Get More Done

Often we get caught up in this mindset that if we are running around crazy, with a long to-do list  then we must be getting a lot done.  But, what we are doing doesn’t matter all that much. And, instead of feeling satisfied and accomplished, we end up feeling disconnected, overwhelmed and void of passion and purpose.

Enough of this. Sure there is plenty to do, but if you are working and acting in a way that sustains your passion, inspires creativity and creates meaning you’ll actually get more done in and out of the office. So get the must-dos done, then get busy doing what matters.

Three Surprising Ways to Get More Done 

Stop multi-tasking. Do one thing at a time. This is actually a time saver. Multi-tasking leads to mistakes, miscommunication, and forgetfulness. All this means we usually have to go back and redo the things we’ve already done. Sure, this keeps us busy. But we aren’t accomplishing much.  One thing at a time, people. You’ll get more done, feel less frantic.

Sleep, Eat, and Exercise. I love the “I’m-to-busy-to-workout” excuse, but the data is clear, when we exercise we stress less, get more done, and feel better about what we are doing. Spend 30 minutes walking around the neighborhood and you’ll actually have more energy to complete your to-do list once back at home. Exercise will also help you sleep better. When we are sleep deprived and hungry we make poorer decisions (which leads to mistakes we have to spend time fixing) tend to be more stressed stress (which limits our ability to focus) and our self-control takes a hit. When we don’t take care of ourselves with sleep, diet and exercise, we have a harder time taking care of anything else. So start with these basics to ramp up productivity.

Loaf On-Line. Alright don’t go using this an excuse to download a new game app, but a little cyber surfing on your lunch break or between stressful projects may help you get more done. Researchers from the University of Cincinnati found that employees who surf the web a bit during stretches of intense work are actually more productive and feel more refreshed than those who don’t. Note the keyword: short. Undisciplined breaks can obviously lead to a loss of productivity. But a 10-minute refresher to look at the cute cat videos or read an inspiring article might just be the ticket to a more productive afternoon.

Use these tips to get more of the must-dos done and then look for ways to add meaning to your life.