7 Proven Strategies to Increase Productivity

Do you ever feel like there just aren't enough hours in the day to accomplish everything you need to do? You're not alone. Many of us struggle with productivity, but the good news is that it's a skill that can be learned and improved upon.

In this blog post, we'll cover 7 proven strategies to help you boost productivity and achieve your goals. From being willing to do the mundane and getting a productivity partner, to stopping procrastination and taking mental breaks, we've got you covered.

We'll also explore how technology can assist in boosting productivity, balancing productivity and well-being, customizing strategies to suit your lifestyle, and maintaining productivity in the long run.

Plus, we'll discuss what happens when productivity goes unchecked and provide additional tips to enhance your productivity and boost productivity. So let's get started on the path towards personal growth and increased efficiency!

What are the Best Practices for Increasing Productivity?

In order to increase your productivity, it is important to understand the best practices for managing time and tasks effectively. By discovering new ways to prioritize and organize your workday, you can optimize your workflows and collaborate effectively with team members. Managing distractions and staying focused are crucial strategies for boosting overall productivity and achieving your goals.

You should also allocate a part of your day for your most important tasks and set aside enough time for breaks and self-care. As a result of implementing these strategies, you can enhance your work productivity and achieve better results. Additionally, it is essential that you are also good at managing your energy and focusing on a specific task so you will be able to stick with it until it's done without burning out or wasting time.

The Importance of Productivity to Achieve Goals

Being productive is essential for achieving your goals faster and more efficiently. By effectively managing your time, you can accomplish more in less time, increasing your workplace productivity.

Productivity levels directly impact your success and overall satisfaction. Overcoming procrastination and eliminating time-wasting habits are crucial steps towards achieving better productivity. Setting milestones and tracking progress can help you stay on track and motivated.

Just remember, the most important work is often the first thing that gets delayed. Don't let bad habits and distractions hinder your progress. Stay focused, prioritize your tasks, and use your time best to achieve your goals.

By practicing the following productivity tips, I believe you'll find yourself getting more done in a day than most people do all week.

1. Achieve Your Goals by Being Willing to Do the Mundane

When I was coaching 8th-grade basketball, at the start of each practice, the first thing the boys would want to do was shoot long shots from the 3-point line and beyond. The intrigue of making one goal out of 20 shots excited them and kept them heaving the ball up toward the basket from ridiculous spaces on the court.

The problem was they hadn’t put enough time in to master the skill of consistently making shots and being productive from five feet in front of the basket. Unsuccessful people often give little attention to the small repetitive tasks required for real success.

The first step to being productive and successful means that you are willing to do the tasks that others are unwilling to do. It requires putting in long hours of practice to master the fundamentals. It also includes fine-tuning and revamping what you have already produced. At the end of the day, it's the secret sauce behind all time management strategies and productive people.

For example, successful writers know that writing is only 20% of the job. Editing and marketing are the other 80%. Without this willingness to put in the work, even when it isn’t fun, success will always be no more than a glimmer of hope in the dreamer’s eye.

2. Increase Productivity by Getting a Productivity Partner

Even the best of us can get discouraged and want to throw in the towel once and a while. That is why we all need someone in our lives who will push us to keep going when we feel less than motivated to achieve our goals.

Life coaching has become a growing occupation in the last twenty years because of this very fact. While a life coach can help you in various ways, the common denominator of all of them is encouragement. How often you meet with them, once a week or once a month, is determined by you. Just make sure that each time you visit, you are getting a boost of inspiration to keep you moving toward your life goals.

If you don’t have a life coach, then a friend who is willing to hold you accountable will suffice. One study showed that three twenty-minute phone calls over a six-month period doubled the exercise participants engaged in. Just imagine what the result of six phone calls could have been.

So, get a coach who will hold you accountable for achieving your goals. And if that's not an option, find a friend who is looking to increase their productivity. Then make a pact to call each other once a week just to encourage one another. You’ll both be glad you did.

3. Stop Procrastination - Reward Effort

“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”

Without rewards, we become bored and tired. On top of that, research shows that reinforcement is the best way to strengthen a behavior.

Notice, I said reward your effort, not the outcome. If you only wait to reward yourself once you have the finished product, you will find yourself constantly struggling to complete it. Remember, success takes time and is achieved by taking small consistent steps toward the attainment of your goals. It can become challenging to keep persisting if we never reward our attempts.

A reward can be anything that makes you feel good. It doesn’t have to be monumental like a trip to the Bahamas. It can be as simple as keeping a calendar and putting a smiley face on each day you work towards achieving your goal. You can also reward yourself with your favorite beverage or snack. The main thing is that you reinforce your effort, making it possible to achieve your objective eventually.

For more information on the importance of focusing on your effort read "3 Simple Ways to Increase Your Motivation."

4. Get Up and Go to Bed on a Regular Schedule

Sleep is one of the top productivity secrets out there. After all, it’s hard to have the energy needed to persist when you are exhausted.

Sleep is vital to your brain as well as your body. And when your quality of sleep suffers, you simply can’t function at your top level. That’s why it is important to make sure you have a consistent sleep pattern that allows you to receive a peaceful night’s rest.

If you don’t have a regular sleep schedule, start one today. I believe it will prove to be one of the best things you can do for your mental health. Decide on a time to go to bed that is early enough to get at seven or eight hours of sleep every night. Then stick with it. Even on weekends and holidays. You’ll be amazed at how easily you begin waking up in the mornings.

If you struggle with getting a good night’s sleep, read my book Intentional Mornings. In it, I share that getting a good night's sleep is crucial to having a productive morning routine. I also share some powerful strategies anyone can use to get a great night's sleep

5. Be More Productive by Taking Mental Breaks

I know you probably take short breaks during your day but are you taking a mental break? A mental break is not going to the water cooler and getting caught up in drama. It also isn’t watching your favorite television show. Although watching a show can be relaxing, it doesn’t provide you with the quality of disengagement that allows your brain to recharge.

The most productive mental breaks allow your brain to disengage from all the stresses of your daily life. They include practicing one of the following for ten to twenty minutes.

• Reading
• Taking a power nap
• Practicing mindfulness

If you can’t give up ten minutes, then do it for five. The important thing is that you find time to disengage a few times during the day mentally. Doing so will increase your ability to complete tasks and achieve your goals.

If you want to know more about how reading helps alleviate stress, check out my blog "The Surprising Benefits of Reading to Improve Your Mental Health."

Balancing Productivity and Well-being

In the pursuit of high productivity, it is essential to avoid burnout and prioritize self-care and mental health. Taking regular breaks and practicing mindfulness can help maintain a healthy work-life balance and overall well-being. Establishing boundaries and setting realistic expectations are also crucial in maintaining a balance between productivity and well-being.

By understanding the importance of self-care and incorporating these strategies into daily routines, individuals can achieve better productivity without compromising their well-being. Balancing productivity and well-being is the key to long-term success and personal growth.

6. Eliminate Distractions

It’s hard to increase your productivity and achieve your goals when you’re constantly distracted.

Why?

Because once we have been pulled away to think about something else our brains need a few minutes to get back on task. That is true, even if the distraction is something as simple as reading a text message or quickly glancing at your favorite social media app.

Is your email or Facebook account constantly blinking or buzzing in the background? If so, turn off the notifications signal. Every time you pull your attention away from what you are working on, you are keeping yourself from being fully present in the current moment. This disruption not only costs you the valuable time you could be using to work on your goal, but it is keeping your brain from getting into flow.

Flow is a term positive psychologists use to describe those moments when you are completely immersed in what you are doing. In these moments, you are functioning at your most creative and productive levels. You are firing on all cylinders. You’re getting things done and having a blast doing it.

Distractions will either pull you out of flow, making it hard to get back into it or keep you from ever experiencing it in the first place. So, turn off your notifications, put a note on your door requesting not to be interrupted, and free yourself from getting lost in your work for a couple of hours.

By implementing these strategies, you can fully immerse yourself in an important project without any interruptions. With this simple suggestion, you will be amazed at the results you can produce.

7. Exercise Regularly

We all know about the physical health benefits of exercise. But were you aware of the mental benefits as well?

Regular exercise has been shown to reduce stress and fatigue, improve alertness and concentration, and improve overall cognitive functioning. Perhaps its strongest contribution is towards developing the character trait of grit, the ability to persevere when things get tough. That is because after exercising for a few weeks, the results you obtain teach you that your actions matter.

Let’s say when you begin your exercise program, you can barely jog a quarter of a mile. After jogging for a week, though, you are now able to jog half a mile. And by the end of the third week, you find yourself easily jogging a mile. This small progression made over just a few weeks reinforces the fact that consistent effort on your part equals big change.

If you want to learn how to have more resilience and grit check out my blog "5 Ways to Have More Grit."

Avoiding Burnout While Pursuing High Productivity

To achieve and sustain high productivity, it is crucial to avoid burnout. Recognizing the signs of burnout and taking preventive steps is the first essential step.

Establishing boundaries and maintaining a healthy work-life balance ensures you have enough time for work and personal life. Delegating tasks and seeking support when needed lightens the load and reduces stress. Practicing stress management techniques like exercise and meditation helps in maintaining mental well-being. Prioritizing self-care and your overall well-being should be a good idea and the cornerstone of your productivity journey.

The Dangers of Overworking and Neglecting Self-Care

In the pursuit of work productivity, it is crucial to recognize the dangers of overworking and neglecting self-care. Constantly pushing ourselves beyond our limits can lead to burnout and a decline in productivity over time.

Neglecting self-care compromises our alertness, focus, and overall well-being. So, it is essential to prioritize our physical and mental health because they directly impact our productivity and performance.

Failing to set boundaries can result in constant interruptions and a lack of work-life balance. Therefore, it is imperative to prioritize self-care to maintain sustainable levels of productivity.

How does being more productive contribute to personal growth?

Increased productivity plays a crucial role in personal growth. It enables individuals to achieve their goals, boosts self-confidence, and enhances time management skills. With improved productivity, one develops a proactive mindset and becomes more efficient in completing tasks and projects. Ultimately, being more productive leads to continuous personal development and success.

The Relationship Between Productivity and Personal Development

Being productive goes beyond just getting things done efficiently. It plays a key role in personal development, fostering discipline and strong work habits that contribute to growth. By increasing productivity, you open yourself up to new ideas and opportunities, allowing for continuous progress in both your personal and professional endeavors.

Effective time management and task prioritization become second nature, enabling you to complete important tasks and projects while making the most of your available time. Overall, productivity contributes to a sense of fulfillment and empowers you to reach your full potential and enjoy more free time.

Conclusion

To conclude, productivity is not just about getting more tasks done; it's about achieving your goals and making progress in the areas that matter most to you. By implementing these proven strategies, you can boost your productivity and take control of your time and energy.

Remember, being willing to do the mundane, finding a productivity partner, overcoming procrastination, maintaining a regular schedule, taking mental breaks, getting regular sleep, and exercising regularly can all contribute to your overall productivity.

It's also important to find a balance between productivity and well-being, customize strategies to fit your lifestyle, and be mindful of the consequences of unchecked productivity.

So start implementing these strategies today and watch your productivity soar, leading to personal growth and success.