Power Up Your Productivity in 10 Days
Take part in my challenge to power up your productivity in 10 days!
This challenge will help you develop good business habits which will stick with you! By spending 15-30 mins on each task you will boost your productivity for the day and help brush off that creeping feeling of overwhelm!
Download your Power up Your Productivity Planner here – and then just choose a day to start! I’ve also given you a blank planner which has space to include your notes.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
Day 1 – Create your to-do list for tomorrow!
Do you prefer a handwritten list or a digital list? Whatever your preference, get your to-do list drawn up and embrace The Life-Changing Magic of List-Making. It will focus your mind on the jobs ahead and you will be able to hit the ground running when you come back into the office! A list has the added bonus of being a visual tool for your workload – as you strike off completed tasks you will be rewarded with a sense of accomplishment.
Download a productivity tool app like IFTTT
IFTTT stands for if this then that! This powerful tool can make your apps do things they can’t do on their own. For example, if there is an event in your Google calendar then you can set up a text reminder with all the details using IFTTT. Have a play with this tool and see how many time-saving and productive applets you can come up with.
Day 2 – Set your alarm 15 minutes earlier than normal!
“How you start your day is how you’re going to live your day. And how you live your day is the way you live life.” Louise Hay
Spend this extra time focusing on and picturing your goals for the day. Think about your priorities from your list and start the day with a positive outlook. You can even use an app like Habit List to help you form positive daily habits, starting with getting up 15 minutes earlier!
Notifications
This is a no brainer when it comes to increasing productivity. Unnecessary distractions interrupt your train of thought and can make even the simplest of tasks more protracted and painful than they need to be. So, review your notifications, mute WhatsApp groups, switch your phone to silent, switch off desktop notifications and close your inbox when you are not working on it!
Day 3 – Time for a workspace spring clean!
Yes, it’s still Winter but you can actually spring clean at any time. This is all about decluttering and creating an inspiring workspace where your mind can focus entirely on the tasks at hand.
- Shred old paperwork
- Organise your drawers
- Remove unnecessary cables
- Organise your stationery
- Give your desk a thorough clean
- Add motivational quotes or posters to your space
Day 4 – Set your goals for the week ahead
Goals are easier to achieve when they’re broken up into steps. Look at your big goals of the year and break them down into monthly bite-size goals and then break that down into weeks. When thinking about goals make sure you use the SMART method to give yourself the best chance of reaching all that you set out to achieve.
Day 5 – Set clear deadlines for your important tasks
Set clear deadlines for your important tasks for today and stick to them where you can. But be real and kind to yourself – if you really can’t get it done by the deadline due to things outside of your control, it’s not your fault!
Day 6 – Focus on one task at a time
Take a look at my previous blog on busting the multi-tasking myth. Here I offer 5 reasons why multi-tasking doesn’t work and explain why it is instead better to focus on one task at a time.
Whether you start work at 9 am, 2 pm or midnight, start your working day with the highest value task first. This will give you a sense of accomplishment for the rest of the day as you would have achieved the most important task of the day and any other tasks you get through will be added bonuses!
Day 7 – Diarise work intervals
Work out your most productive times of the day and ensure you schedule work at these times. For every 45/60 mins of dedicated work, you should schedule a 10-minute break. This will give you an opportunity to move about, have a refreshment break and give your eyes a rest from the computer screen.
This way of working will ensure you keep momentum in your working day as you will want to get tasks completed before your break and you should return afterwards feeling refreshed and ready for the next challenge.
Day 8 – Check and respond to emails in batches
Choose two or three times a day to check your inbox! Constant checking of emails will eat up a lot of your work time throughout the day. Turn off any email notifications and pop-ups that may appear on your computer. Also, take the time today to unsubscribe from unwanted emails. This is an easy action plan to improve productivity at work!
Day 9 – Diarise a longer break from work
This is your opportunity to step away from the office and get out for some fresh air and walk about in some wide-open spaces. This will give your brain a chance to do some subconscious working whilst you give yourself a mood and productivity boost. Read more about the Health Benefits of Walking.
Day 10 – Review and reflect
How did your 10 days of productivity go? Take the time to reflect if you were able to accomplish more tasks. Were there any tips that dramatically improved productivity? Were there any productivity tips that didn’t work for you? Write down the best tips and consider posting these tips on your office wall. Continue to regularly implement the productivity tips that worked for you.
So that’s it, 10 simple tried and tested productivity tips that will make a difference to your work-life balance and business goals.
Remember you can do this at any time, it doesn’t have to be now in January, AND you don’t just have to do this just once – you can revisit it again in maybe 6 months time if you feel your productivity slipping, just bookmark this page!