The biggest goal killer is to be inefficient.
Distractions and a lack of control demotivates us and let us loose our focus.
A lot f strategies to increase productivity need time.
Below I want to share my tricks that I use to be more efficient and productive in a shorter time.
“My goal is no longer to get more done, but rather to have less to do.”
1) Get a good overview
When you think about the next day and know you have to get some stuff done, it can be pretty demotivating. You have so many things on the table and you don't know where to start. It's important to write things down. It's important to find a system or planner that you like and enjoy. I have often exchanged programs and physical planners. I'm not saying you should search forever and waste time with it, BUT find something you really like. It's best to write your to-dos the night before.
They need to be realistic and not over ambitious.
2) Multitasking is a no go
In my opinion, multi tasking is a misconception. Doing more things at the same time just leads to not really concentrating on one thing and doing things half-heartedly. The brain jumps from one subject to another and your performance drops.
THEREFORE step by step. Focus on one thing at a time.
3) Schedule breaks
Breaks are incredibly important. The brain cannot concentrate on one thing for hours, but needs a break every now and then. Use predefined breaks where you reward yourself. However, the rewards should not exhaust your brain, but really provide rest. What I do? I meditate or eat something in absolute silence.
4) Motivate yourself constantly
Our motivation is the key to success. Every now and then we lose our motivation because we lose sight of the goal or forget why we actually do certain things. It's important to keep the big picture in mind and look at what you've already accomplished. That's why it's very important to document your process and your successes and to motivate yourself again and again.
5) Connect with outside
Your brain needs fresh air and your body needs exercise to be productive. I already spoke from these breaks, which are essential. I use them not only to meditate, but I also take a walk. It's incredible how good I feel afterwards and with what energy I sit at my desk again. I know it's really hard to pick yourself up, but trust me, if you do it a few times, you'll love it.
6) Water, water, water
Our body consists of about 70% water.
We need sufficient fluid intake to maintain our performance. Drink enough water every day, it is important that you control your intake and that the water is always at hand.
7) Cancel all distractions
To avoid being eaten by wild animals, the evolution made us sensitive to noises. This instinct is still active today: That means e.g. email notifications distract us immediately. To be more focus and productive, the best thing you can do is to cancel noises that can distract you and are not in urgent use.
If possible create a quite place, where also family members know, that you need silence.
8) Sleep well
Ensure you sleep well. Many studies show that most people need seven to eight hours of sleep.
I suggest also you try power napping. Further, don´t rely on coffee, as the effect is short.
9) Nobody is perfect
Stop being a perfectionist. That is what I learned, especially when it came to launch my website. I spend hours and hours on the same thing, without progressing. If you are unproductive because you work at the same topic for hours, stop it and do something else.
And at some point, you need to say "That´s good enough, at least for now".
Always mind the purpose, and if the result is already serving the purpose move on.
10) Eat the frog
Believe me, if you get rid of the least favorite task at the beginning, you will be more motivated to work on the rest of your to-do´s. When I am in bed and thinking of this least favorite to-do, I am already demotivated but knowing that I will wake up early, work on it and close it, gives me energy for the rest of the day. So "eat the frog" and be productive.
This principle has particularly helped me to achieve my goals.
The book "Eat That Frog" by Brian Tracy addresses this exact principle. Tracy learned a valuable lesson: the key to great success, outstanding achievements, status, and happiness lies in fully focusing on the most important task. He likes to express this with the proverb "eating the frog," which means that you should first tackle the biggest and most important task to be successful. It is advisable to start the day with this task that you are most likely to postpone. If there are two such tasks, focus on the more difficult one first.
I highly recommend the book, you can buy it here.
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