How to be more productive - 5 top tips
How often do you look back at your previous week and wonder why you haven’t achieved more?
You’ve worked non stop, you’ve not even had a lunch break.
You’ve survived on coffee to keep you awake. Sound familiar?
Unless you take good care of yourself you won’t be productive so here’s my top 5 tips.
Tip 1. Have a good nights sleep
Yes sleep, it’s so important that you get a good nights sleep. If you don’t then you will struggle to function properly. When your alarm goes off you should be able to jump out of bed instead of hitting the snooze button numerous times.
Our body needs sleep to rest and recharge, it’s our down time, the time when our brain learns and retains information, it impairs our cognitive functions. Lack of sleep will cause you to not only feel tired but you will have difficulty functioning. You may well try to fight it and drink endless cups of coffee but eventually you will reach burn out, you will start making mistakes, it will start affecting your business.
Tip 2. Start with a good breakfast
You will of course have heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day – well it’s true!
One of the things that you can do in life is to start your day with a healthy, filling breakfast.
When we sleep, our body is still at work rejuvenating after a long day of mental and physical activity. So we need to start our day with our body fueled, but it’s also important to use the right kind of fuel.
Choosing the right foods to refuel your body when you wake up improves concentration and memory throughout the day.
Tip 3. Take a break
Whilst you may think this is unnecessary as you have so much to get done, it’s important to take breaks during your working day. Schedule them in to your diary so that you remember to have them. Take 10 or 15 minutes, throughout the day, grab a cuppa, head outside for some fresh air, just sit and gaze out of the window. Just allow your mind to switch off for a short while. You’ll be amazed at how you’ll be refreshed and ready to go again.
Tip 4. Is your work place tidy?
A clear desk is good for our mental well-being. Scientists have found that being in a cluttered
environment may make it more difficult for us to focus.
At the end of each day, tidy away, clear those empty cups, put the used post it notes in the recycle bin, have what you need ready for the next morning.
Tip 5. Delegate
It’s really important that we get that work life balance right. Have you heard the saying “work to live, not live to work”. It’s really important to keep that in mind, no matter how much you love your work you have to take time out. Spend time with family and friends, go and treat yourself. If you’re struggling to get everything done in a working day then why not take a look at what jobs you could delegate.
You may have lot’s of emails clogging up your inbox, you may need a letter drafting or proof reading. Maybe your Social Media platforms are being neglected as you just don’t have the time to create the posts.
What are the things that you know need doing and are niggling you and you could ask some one else to do them for you?
I hope that you find these tips helpful, I’d love to know if you’ve implemented any of them and if they’ve made a difference to you.
If I can help in anyway then don’t hesitate to get in touch!