50 Tips to Increase Your Productivity

I was walking to my office, and I got into a conversation with a coworker. She was telling me about how hard it is to do everything that she wants to do. “There is just no time.” She says that she feels so unproductive, and how at the end of her workday, she can barely do anything after that. I gave her some quick tips that have worked for me as we walk alongside each other in the corridor. I encouraged her to try them and let me know if they help her.

Back in my office, as I sit down to continue my work. I thought about her dilemma about being unproductive. I grabbed my notebook and started jotting notes on how I manage my day. Am I productive? I would like to believe that I am doing all that I can to have a productive day as I step back and examine what I do to be more productive. I also recognize that doing so would be time well spent because my actions daily will define my future.

When you boost your productivity, you get more work done, but you can also do it quicker, freeing up more time for you to do the things you want to do! Try these tips to help you take control of your day and accomplish more.

50 Pointers for a More Productive Day

1. Set a goal for each day.
2. Know your why and post a picture in your work area.
3. Make a schedule – with deadlines – for your tasks.
4.  Goals and tasks should be written up and visible. Whiteboard works great.
5.  Establish a timeline and have it on a board visible from your work area.
6.  Keep a daily to-do list. Cross off tasks as they’re completed.
7.  If a task doesn’t need to be done, get rid of it altogether.
8. Batch similar tasks together.
9. Learn to say no to requests for tasks that would impede on your priorities.
10.  Delegate some of your work
11.  Do the unpleasant items quickly and as early in the day as possible.
12.  Slow down. Rushing causes mistakes and slows your productivity.
13. Leave only icons for work programs on your computer desktop.
14.  Play audio and video at 2x speed.
15. Avoid social networking sites during work hours, unless you use them for work.
16.  Color-code your paper files and folders.
17. Take a 2-5 minute “micro nap.” Rest your head and close your eyes. Power naps are very rejuvenating.
18.  Organize your electronic files and folders, so you know where everything is.
19. Use keyboard shortcuts whenever you can. Put your computer mouse/trackpad at maximum speed.
20. Schedule your most critical tasks for your most productive time of the day.
21.  Communicate clearly with clients, bosses, and colleagues.
22.  Use a planner faithfully.
23.  Write thoughts, ideas, notes in a journal.
24. Search for add-ons for your browser that can speed up your Internet tasks.
25.  Take breaks to relax and refresh your mind and body. Meditate.
26.  Use stress-reducing techniques each day to keep stress to a minimum.
27.  Keep work and personal email separate. Access only work email when working.
28. Limit emails to 5 sentences: who, what, where, when, and why.
29.  Clear clutter from your desk.
30.  Beat procrastination and get started right away on the task at hand.
31.  Try doing everything a little faster. Walk, talk, type, and read faster.
32.  Know when and what activities to multi-task.
33.  Focus hard on being productive for 30 minutes at a time. Set a timer.
34.  Help motivate yourself with your favorite quotes.
35. Focus on the appropriate task—personal or work-related—at the proper time.
36.  Put on headphones to avoid distracting noises. Listen to music if it helps you.
37.  Focus on the tasks that will accomplish the most.
38. Ask for help. Don’t waste figuring out how things work if the specialist is nearby.
39.  Leave your desk clean at the end of each day.
40. Listen to podcasts or audiobooks while walking/commuting.
41. Done is better than perfect.
42. Find your best sleep schedule.
43.  Incorporate 5 minutes exercises throughout your day. Walk fast.
44. Find time to stretch and drink water. Drink a glass of water every 4 hours while you are working.
45.  Eat a healthy snack or fruit every 4 hours.
46. Track how your time is spent.
47.  Understand and use the Pareto Principle (80/20 rule).
48. Have weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly goals.
49. Have a vision board.
50.  Audit and evaluate.

Productivity in the Long Term

I hope you find and apply these tips in your life to make the most out of the twenty-four hours you have each day. Remember that what you do with your 24 hours every day from here on out will define your future. We usually do not regret the things that we have done but the things we have not done. Let’s be more productive so we can do more of the things we want to do in life!

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