“Today was a great day! I completed all my tasks with great productivity.” All of us wish to say this more often. However, instead of feeling motivated, we are overwhelmed with the mountain of work. Staying productive is an ongoing process. It doesn’t happen by accident. Forethought, planning, motivation, focus, and a dash of consistency are what you need to accomplish productivity. To focus on the right things, one must learn to take charge of time and energy, as these are our most important resources. 

But no more getting defeated by our to-do list by the end of the day. It’s time to thrive with all the resources that we have. Here are some proven ways that will not only help you stay focused but also boost your productivity.

1. Set your goals for clarity

You can start only when you know what you are supposed to do. Dedicate the start of your day to set your daily goals and a to-do list. It is one of the simplest measures to stay focused and productive.

2. Keep them realistic  

By the end of the day, the goal is not to get overwhelmed by all the work. Hence keep your goals and to-do list doable and manageable.

3. Dedicate a space for work

It may be a corner or an entire room; dedicating a space for work is important. This way, you automatically distance yourself from all the distractions and noises. 

4. Important first rule

You won’t always have the bandwidth to complete all the tasks on your to-do list.  And so go by the ‘important first rule.’ Do the priority tasks on priority. This way, even if you haven’t completed all the tasks, you will get a good sense of accomplishment.

5. Flexible approach but fixed deadlines 

Have a flexible approach as in, if you cannot do one task at the moment, don’t force yourself into doing it. Do it when you can. However, have a fixed deadline to know you are not overstretching your comfort.

6. Divide your time

You very well know what time of day is suitable for which type of work. So divide your time accordingly. This will help you plan your day well.

7. Stay distant from your phone

Biggest distraction and the one name that pops in our mind is our cellphone. Our entire world today is squeezed into one handset. While working its important to stay distant from it. 

8. Mono-tasking over multitasking

While some may ace at the art of multitasking, we believe that its not everybody’s forte. Instead one can end up feeling overwhelmed while doing so. Hence take one task at a time and complete it diligently.

9. Understand your natural rhythm

By this we mean, understand your body clock. One major mistake we do is adopting someone else’s timetable. We must understand that all of us have their own distinct natural rhythm. Some may rise early to work, some may work late night. 

10. Take breaks

It is important to take breaks to rejuvenate your mind and prevent burnout. Not only breaks help bring relief but also kindle focus and creativity.

11. Exercise

If you want to conquer your life, stay motivated and focused for productivity, you need to start with the basics. Exercise is a proven way to reduce stress and anxiety. It also a proven way to improve attention. 

12. Organise your space

As we said, start with the basics. Here we are trying to declutter our mind but what if one is surrounded b clutter? So make sure you organise the space you work in.

13. The 2 minute rule

Cleaning up your desk, checking your mail. These are some tasks that don’t take a few minutes. Make it a point to complete them first. With this approach, you’ll be surprised at how much you achieved in a single day. 

14. Take the liberty to switch tasks

Not feel like doing a current task. Don’t make an excuse and take a break. Instead, switch your task. There will certainly be an easier one on your to-do list.  

15. Reward yourself

For every task done, reward yourself! It need not necessarily mean going big. It could be as simple and fulfilling as taking a tea break, going for a walk, or doing your favorite thing. 

Follow these tips and see if you witness any change in how you deal with your daily tasks. As we said earlier, productivity is an ongoing process, so don’t forget to stay consistent! Good luck.