Managing Self: Strategies to Boost Productivity

Time management, at its simplest, is the way you use your time.  Notice this statement, ‘the way you use your time.”  Why is it stated this way? Because you cannot manage time. You can only manage yourself. If you could manage time, you could say, “Stop time; I’m behind in my work; let me catch up.” You can’t do that. What you can do is improve your productivity in the time you have. Your projects will progress more quickly if you can accomplish more each day. If you have many distractions, this will lessen the amount of progress you can make.

Here are five strategies to boost productivity. You can start using most of them today.

1. Focus your time on one thing before you start another.

Generally, people like to multitask, but this is actually a myth. If you try to do more things at once, it can have a negative impact on your cognitive ability. This may make you feel dissatisfied with your progress or unproductive. 
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Consider compartmentalizing your tasks. For example, if part of your job involves writing, you can plan:

• Mondays are for research.
• Tuesdays through Thursdays are for writing.
• Fridays are for editing.

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This will help you remain focused on one task until it is completed, which is the easiest way for your mind to focus on what needs to be done first. 

2. Plan your next workday the day before.

Workdays may often leave you scrambling since you feel like you’re behind on projects before you start the day. Rather than planning your workday in the morning, spend the last 10 minutes each day planning for tomorrow. It is best to do this in the evening or at the end of your working day. 

This plan increases motivation since you’ll know what’s in front of you before you log in each morning. It will also ensure that your most important tasks for each day get done. Rather than hurrying to finish things up at the end of the day, you can incorporate your most important tasks into your schedule for the next day. 

You will also be able to sleep better, as your “mind traffic” will be reduced. So, rather than lying awake because your mind is racing with what needs to be done, you have already planned out how to accomplish that.

3. Limit the distractions that lower productivity.

It’s natural to become distracted once in a while. Co-workers, social media, email, and many other things could derail your progress. Some of these can’t be controlled but dedicate your effort to limiting how many things can distract you. 

Identify distractions and find solutions that will minimize them:

• Should you leave your cell phone in another room? If that is not possible, turn it off thus leaving you unrestricted time for concentration.
• Should you turn off email or text notifications? Decide when you plan on going to your emails rather than letting emails manage you.
• Should you disable social media platforms on your work computer?

These will all help you limit distractions and stay focused on your work. Again, if you need to spend time on social media, set times for when you will work on platforms such as Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.

4. Track the time you have and how you use it.

Time management is most effective when it increases the time devoted to important tasks. When you do that, you’ll gain the independence and freedom to spend more time doing things you like without affecting the tasks that need to be completed. 
Keeping a time log sounds rather boring, and it takes a bit of time, but it’s time you’re investing in getting projects done. If you’re trying to optimize time, you need to know where you are spending time and what tasks are being accomplished.

5. Take a bit of time to recharge yourself.

Being productive is certainly the goal, but you also need to take occasional breaks. Making time in the evening and planning for a good night's sleep will help you perform the next day. 

Breaks between work meetings allow your brain to reset, lowering your stress level and everyone else’s. Taking time now and then to relax will help keep you energized and capable of improving your focus when you get back to work. 

Conclusion

There isn’t one special strategy for improving your ability to managing yourself within the time available to you, so try out one or a couple of the above suggestions and see how they work for you. Prioritize your tasks based on their importance and take time to reassess them. 

Use online apps and tools that will boost your productivity. One that many people use is Outlook. Priority Management has one of the best programs available to use for this product. Hone your skills to keep moving forward in working easier, faster and better.

Thank you for reading and continue becoming the best version of yourself....

Richard

Sources
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