Conclusion
IN continuation of the topic that I started writing about last Monday, here are some more productivity hacks that actually came from professionals, entrepreneurs and managers. It’s a great time to take stock of our own work habits this time of year, and adopt new and promising ones for the new year.
A lot of them believe that working out and taking good care of one’s health by eating well, for example, is one of the best things, if not the best thing, that a person can do to ensure success.
Exercise is something that we need to pencil into our schedule. But even if it seems to take away time from our day, it actually leads to greater productivity because a person who feels good can get more done. Some professionals also use their workout time to put in order their thoughts, strategize or make plans.
Here’s the word on distractions. Stay offline when working, and try not to answer phones or messages while busy at work.
Some professionals reserve a block of time to check e-mails and respond to them, to make phone calls and reply to text messages, etc. There is a scheduled time to visit web sites, do one’s online readings, and even to go on social media. But when it’s time to work, the successful executives focus on work and nothing else.
Planning is also very important. There are successful professionals who sit down every week, usually during the weekend, for about an hour or a bit more to strategize actions for the upcoming week. They ask the question: What do I want to accomplish this week? A to-do list is borne out of this exercise, but many of them have accepted, too, the fact that all the items on the to-do list will never ever be completely struck off.
This is where focus comes in: Concentrate on tasks that will provide the most impact, the ones that will move you closer to your goal.
On a daily basis, they ask themselves this question: What is the one thing I could accomplish today that would make me feel fulfilled about my day? And then they give a good chunk of time for this particular task, say, two to three hours.
One final thing that I’d like to add to this enumeration is this: It is important to do things other than work, and these must be scheduled to make sure that they are given the time they deserve.
First of all, it clears the mind. Second, it allows one to look at things from new perspectives. And finally, it gives a fresh surge of energy.
We all know what our options are: hobbies or interests, volunteering, spending time with family and friends, sports, spiritual pursuits, etc. The important thing is to enter a different world from work, and to enjoy new experiences that are removed from what we are used to.
Having said all this, I wish all of you, my dear readers, a more productive, successful, flourishing 2019!
Happy New Year!