5 Habits of Highly Productive People- My Productivity secret
“If you spend too much time thinking about a thing, you’ll never get it done.”
Hey guys! I did a poll on my Instagram stories the other day asking my followers what specific thing they were struggling with and most of the responses I got had something to do with productivity! And so, with that in mind, I decided to write this post just for you all.
I would not claim I am the most productive human in the world haha but since I started blogging, schooling and working, I have found myself needing to plan and manage my time better- leading to efficiency and productivity. Now, I would not be me if I didn’t share some of these tips with you guys, so here are my 5 habits that help me be productive and I hope they help you too.
LIST! LIST! LIST!
I am a very list-oriented woman, everything I need to get done is in a list. Most productive people swear by having a list to keep track of what needs to be done. I go the old-fashioned route and often write everything down but, if you love your phone and the occasional excel spreadsheet, then there are several iPhone apps that help you create lists. Apps like Planner Pro, 24me and even the iPhone reminder app are all very useful in helping you maintain some semblance of sanity in your probably chaotic world. I have friends who also use excel spreadsheets so it’s all about what works for you. Just make sure you have some way of knowing what you need to get done and when.
The Pomodoro Technique
This is a relatively well-known way to maintain productivity as a master of all trades. As a professional procrastinator, I need something that will keep me on task when I need to get some work done and that’s where this technique comes in. It’s pretty simple, it helps you power through distractions, hyper-focus, and get things done in short bursts, while taking frequent breaks to come up for air and relax. I often work for 25 minutes and then take 5 minutes intervals to relax and then back to work I go. Here is exactly what you do,
Choose a task you need to accomplish-
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Set the Pomodoro to 25 minutes (the Pomodoro is the timer and can be any alarm)
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Work on the task until the Pomodoro rings, then put a check on your sheet of paper
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Take a short break (5-10 minutes is OK)
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Every 4 Pomodoros take a longer break
Once you’re done, you’d have done more work that you realize and it’s a great way to keep up energy when you have a lot of busy work to catch up on. There is also a planner that is amazing and helps you keep track of this technique. Click here for that.
Eat Healthy
This is one I often struggle with and still get yelled at by my mother for- eating well. Hunger isn’t a fun emotion and I am sure we are all familiar with getting hangry. When you are angry, it’s harder to concentrate or get any work done. The opposite also works the same if you eat too much, you are also not productive. I always make sure to eat well when I need to get work done and have some snacks, fruit and water right by my side, so I am not daydreaming about food as I work.
Get a planner
Lists are great for short term engagements; however, you need a planner, so you know what’s long term. I often get a random planner from Walmart and a huge calendar, so I know what my monthly commitments are and plan ahead. Planners help create an amazing work-life balance that Is essential for every woman and I currently have about 6-8 planners depending on who is asking ha-ha.
Rest! Rest! Rest!
I am guessing you’re a very ambitious and hardworking person since you’ve read this far. That’s great but do you take some time to rest? We often forget to recuperate and rejuvenate ourselves as we go about our days. Take some time for you. As you plan out that month take a few days off to go to the spa or get your hair/nails done. Spend some time going out with friends and most of all, self-care. Never forget how important it is for you to take care of yourself and get rest when necessary. As powerful as you are, your strength lies in your ability to realize when you’re burnt out. Listen to your body and your brain and take the rests when they come. Trust me, it will save you more time to take it when necessary.
Those are just a few habits that I have come to do in my bid to become more productive. Do you have any other tips to share? Let me know in the comments below! Also, how do you maintain productivity? Are you a professional procrastinator like me? Let me know!
Love always,
Sofi
