As professionals, we all strive to be productive and efficient in our daily work lives. However, sometimes it can feel like no matter how hard we try, we are unable to complete all the tasks on our to-do list. The good news is that there are ways to increase productivity and make work feel more manageable.
In this article, I discuss some tips for being more productive, including aligning your work with your energy levels, planning your day in advance, developing different rituals for different tasks, and avoiding blocking your calendar 100%.
Four Tips to Become More Productive and Efficient
Have you ever felt exhausted after a long day at work, only to realize that you haven't accomplished much? You are not alone in this feeling. Many people find that despite their best efforts, they are unable to complete all the tasks on their to-do list. However, there are ways to increase productivity and make work feel more manageable. In this article, we will explore some tips that can help you be more productive and efficient.
Align your most important work with your chronotype: Different people have different energy levels at different times of the day. Some people are early birds and are most productive in the morning, while others are night owls and work best in the evening. It is important to understand your own chronotype and schedule your work accordingly. For example, if you are a morning person, schedule your most important and challenging tasks for the morning, when your energy levels are at their highest. By doing so, you can ensure that you are making the most of your time and energy.
Plan your day the night before: Planning your day the night before can help you feel more organized and in control. By taking a few minutes to review your schedule and tasks for the next day, you can ensure that you are prepared and ready to tackle whatever comes your way. This can also help you avoid wasting time in the morning trying to figure out what to do first.
Develop different rituals for different types of tasks: Our brains are wired to associate certain physical and temporal cues with certain tasks. For example, if you always work on a particular project in a specific location, your brain will start to associate that location with that project, making it easier for you to focus and be productive. Similarly, if you always work on a particular task at a specific time of day, your brain will start to associate that time with that task. By developing different rituals for different types of tasks, you can train your brain to be more productive and efficient.
Avoid blocking your calendar 100%: While it may be tempting to block your calendar 100% to ensure that you get everything done, this can actually be counterproductive. A fully blocked day can leave no room for moments of creativity and inspiration, which can sometimes be the key to getting things done. Instead, try to leave some open space in your calendar to allow for unexpected tasks or ideas that may come up throughout the day.
Being productive and efficient at work can be challenging, but it is not impossible. By aligning your work with your energy levels, planning your day in advance, developing different rituals for different tasks, and leaving some open space in your calendar, you can increase productivity and make work feel more manageable. Remember, everyone works differently, so it is important to find what works best for you and stick with it. Thank you for reading, and I hope you found these tips helpful.
How to Determine Your Chronotype
Determining your chronotype can be helpful in scheduling your work and maximizing your productivity. There are a few ways to determine your chronotype.
One way is to pay attention to your natural sleep-wake cycle. If you tend to wake up early and feel alert and energized in the morning, you are likely a morning person. If you tend to stay up late and have more energy in the evening, you are likely a night owl.
Another way is to take a quiz or assessment designed to determine your chronotype. There are many free assessments available online that can help you determine your chronotype.
Once you have determined your chronotype, you can use that information to schedule your work and tasks accordingly. For example, if you are a morning person, you may want to schedule your most important and challenging tasks for the morning, when your energy levels are at their highest. Similarly, if you are a night owl, you may want to schedule your most important and challenging tasks for the evening, when your energy levels are at their highest.
Remember, everyone is different, and what works for one person may not work for another. The key is to find what works best for you and stick with it. I hope this helps!
Planning Your Day the Night Before
Planning your day the night before can be a great way to increase productivity and make work feel more manageable. Here are some tips on how to approach planning your day the night before:
Review your to-do list: Start by reviewing your to-do list for the next day. Take a look at the tasks you need to complete and prioritize them based on their importance and urgency.
Estimate the time needed for each task: Once you have prioritized your tasks, estimate the amount of time each task will take to complete. This will help you plan your day more effectively and ensure that you have enough time to complete everything.
Schedule your tasks: Once you know how much time each task will take, schedule them in your calendar. Be sure to schedule your most important and challenging tasks during your peak energy times.
Leave room for unexpected tasks: It is important to leave some open space in your calendar to allow for unexpected tasks or ideas that may come up throughout the day.
Set reminders: Set reminders for yourself throughout the day to help you stay on track and ensure that you are completing your tasks on time.
Remember, planning your day the night before can help you feel more organized and in control. By taking a few minutes to review your schedule and tasks for the next day, you can ensure that you are prepared and ready to tackle whatever comes your way. I hope you find these tips helpful!
Rituals You Can Use for Different Types of Tasks
Developing different rituals for different types of tasks can help you train your brain to be more productive and efficient. Here are a few examples of rituals you can use for different types of tasks:
Creative tasks: If you have tasks that require creativity, such as writing or brainstorming, try working in a quiet and comfortable space with minimal distractions. Try to set aside a specific time of day for these tasks, and use a specific pen or notebook to help your brain associate those physical cues with creativity.
Repetitive tasks: If you have tasks that are repetitive, such as data entry or filing, try listening to music or an audiobook to make the task more enjoyable. You can also try breaking the task into smaller, more manageable chunks and taking short breaks in between each chunk.
Challenging tasks: If you have tasks that are particularly challenging, try working in a different location or environment than you normally would. This can help you approach the task from a different perspective and break out of any mental ruts you may be in.
Routine tasks: If you have tasks that are routine, such as checking email or making phone calls, try scheduling them for the same time every day. This can help you establish a routine and make these tasks feel more manageable.
Remember, everyone works differently, so it is important to find what works best for you and stick with it. By developing different rituals for different types of tasks, you can train your brain to be more productive and efficient. I hope you find these examples helpful!
Avoiding Blocking Your Calendar 100%
Blocking your calendar 100% may seem like a good idea to ensure that you get everything done, but it can actually be counterproductive. Here are a few reasons why it is important to avoid blocking your calendar 100%:
No room for creativity: A fully blocked calendar can leave no room for moments of creativity and inspiration. Creativity often comes when we least expect it, so it is important to leave some open space in your calendar to allow for unexpected tasks or ideas that may come up throughout the day.
No room for flexibility: Life is unpredictable, and unexpected tasks or emergencies may come up throughout the day. By leaving some open space in your calendar, you can ensure that you have the flexibility to handle these tasks or emergencies as they arise.
No margin for error: If you block your calendar 100%, you may be setting yourself up for failure. If one task takes longer than expected, it can throw off your entire schedule and leave you feeling stressed and overwhelmed.
Remember, it is important to find a balance between structure and flexibility in your schedule. By leaving some open space in your calendar, you can allow for creativity, flexibility, and margin for error. This can help you feel more productive and in control, while also allowing you to handle unexpected tasks or emergencies as they arise.
Conclusion
Being productive and efficient at work is important for achieving our goals and feeling successful. By aligning our work with our energy levels, planning our days in advance, developing different rituals for different tasks, and leaving some open space in our calendars, we can increase productivity and make work feel more manageable. Remember, everyone works differently, so it is important to find what works best for you and stick with it. By implementing these tips, you can take control of your workday and achieve your goals.
Jonathan H. Westover, PhD is Chief Academic & Learning Officer (HCI Academy); Chair/Professor, Organizational Leadership (UVU); OD Consultant (Human Capital Innovations). Read Jonathan Westover's executive profile here.
