It is very common to associate productivity with work only, but in order to get all your daily to-do tasks done instead of leaving them for the weekend - when we suppose we'll have the time - it is necessary to manage time effectively.
Many people, then, often wonder how to be more productive daily. Here at OneHowTo we'll give you our best tips so that you can manage your time in the best possible way.
The first step in order to be more productive daily is to use a day planner. They are useful to remind you of meetings, dates and other plans, and they also can be used to write down lists and priorities. Everything looks clearer in paper than in our heads!
You can also try the bullet journal method if you learn visually, or calendar and time management apps if you're more tech-oriented. The possibilities are endless. If you use your smartphone or tablet for everything, here is our own goal-oriented guide to the best free apps to be more productive. You'll find real treasures.
Settle on a time period to do certain tasks without any distractions and stay within the margins you've chosen for yourself. It's very important to use your time effectively, both when you're working or when you aren't.
If you get easily distracted - there are so many things fighting for our attention! - try the Pomodoro Technique. Break down your time in 25-minute periods and set a timer. Focus on your task completely during those minutes (write down any spin-off ideas for later reference) and take a 5-minute break once the period has passed. After four periods (2 hours' worth of work) take a longer break, then start again. 25 minutes does not look like a lot, but you'll be fresh and focused.
Concentration is key both at the office and at home if you want to get all your tasks done. When you're working on a specific task, forget about your phone, computer or TV and anything else that can distract you. If you need the Internet for your task, blacklist all distracting sites like online games or social network feeds.
Remember that half an hour's concentration will be more productive than one hour if your mind is somewhere else.
Know when to delegate. This is also useful both at work and at home: You don't have to be the only one responsible for household tasks or management if your partner, family or flatmates do their share. Put on your effective manager hat - organize basic tasks so that nobody has to worry about them.
Make use of all that time you waste by waiting for things. Your daily commute or queue at the doctor's office are good times to read a good book, answer pending emails from your phone, plan a shopping list or making necessary calls. You'll feel much more productive!
Learn to be flexible - a setback won't kill you. If you can't finish a task by the time you planned, that's fine; move on to the next one. If a surprise invitation or chance pops up, reorganize your daily schedule so that you have time to seize it.
We're so used to strive for productivity and achievement that doing nothing can make us feel deeply guilty. Remember that you need some time to rest and take care of yourself - you'll actually be more productive if you're freshened up. Know yourself - how do you perform under pressure? - and plan your tasks according to your abilities. Taking a break is not wasting time if you don't constantly use it as an excuse to procrastinate.
Avoid working overtime on your job on a daily basis. Working overtime will not make you look more productive - you'll be seen as ineffective instead. Revise your schedule and see if you're managing your time correctly; tweak details accordingly. Do your tasks within their time period.
These have been some tips on how to be more productive daily: Remember that it's all about setting manageable goals and focusing on them one at a time.
If you want to learn more about assertiveness and time management, take a look at our article on how to empower yourself.
If you want to read similar articles to How to Be More Productive Daily, we recommend you visit our Learning category.
- Our daily productivity depends on our abilities to manage time and concentrate on individual tasks.
- Having an endless to-do list is exhausting - try not to waste time constantly complaining about it.