How to Increase Productivity: The Best Productivity Hacks

You’re not alone if you’ve wondered how to be more productive. We live in a busy world that continues to demand more out of the twenty-four hours we’re given.  SPOILER ALERT: more coffee and energy drinks will not make you more productive. Here are some of the best productivity hacks and tips on how to increase productivity.

Remove Distractions

It’s no secret that being distracted decreases your productivity. If you’ve got a busy mind with quite a few tasks to get done, then you need to take just a few minutes to remove distractions. Try putting down your phone, find a quiet place, and get ready to “brain dump.”

Brain Dump

The term “brain dump” is very useful for people who have a hard time unwinding and slowing their thoughts. A brain dump is an exercise to utilize to empty all of the thoughts in your head and find clarity.

How to brain dump: gather some scratch pen and paper and sit in a quiet space. Write down every thought and to-do that you have on the paper. This shouldn’t be perfect or pretty! Just scribble down these thoughts as fast as you can. You will organize them next.

Divide The List into Top 5

Once you have all your thoughts on paper, then you need to take some time to organize them. Divide your list into categories. Try to make note of what is time-sensitive, and then you can create your Top 5 list.

The Top 5 list is no more than 5 tasks you need to get done every day. When you have 18 tasks to get done in a day, it can feel very daunting. Just choose 5 tasks (keeping in mind time-sensitivity) and you will be more likely to get them done.

Create Systems

The truth is, the more efficient you become, then the more productive you will become. If you can create a system, or a sequence/routine, then it will become more of mindless activity. The less you think about it, the more you will get done!

For example, when adding a new habit into your life, it will likely take thought to remember to do it. If you tie it into your morning or evening routine, then the new habit will become a normal part of your day. If you create a streamlined process for something that you do often, then you will spend less time on these tasks.

Time and Task Batch

This is one of the best productivity hacks! You can increase productivity if you batch your time and tasks. This works because your brain loves consistency.

You have different sections of your brain that function at different times based on what you’re doing. If you’re doing tasks that have a similar nature, then one portion of your brain works. When you switch tasks, it takes time for different portions of the brain to activate and for you to “get in the zone.”

Try batching like tasks together. If you’re writing, then be sure to write your emails in the same timeframe. If you’re cleaning your vehicle, go ahead and try cleaning the dishes while you’re at it. The same thing applies with time: set an allotted time range for your tasks. If you only have so long to complete a task, then you’re less likely to get distracted.

Quit Multitasking

Your brain is like a computer; if you are browsing the internet with fifteen tabs open, then it typically slows down. Why is this? Because it must process all the information open!

The same thing happens when you multitask. If you’re focusing on multiple tasks at once, your brain has to process each one and prioritize. You will be more efficient if you do one task well and then move on to the next.

Hire a Coach

If you feel that you’re lacking in these areas and need more guidance, then it may be time to hire a life coach. A life coach will be able to guide you from an “outside looking in” approach to help you make more decisions clearly and teach you how to increase productivity. Click the link below to schedule a no-strings-attached call today to find your coach!