Simple Productivity Tricks

It is really easy to get distracted. No matter how hard you focus on trying to complete a task, your mind will wander.

While there is no harm in daydreaming from time to time, sometimes when things must get done you just need to sit down and concentrate on what you are doing without the musings of your imagination getting in the way. While forcing your brain to focus is never simple, there are some easy techniques to help purge the distractions and increase your productivity.

Try these tips to expel procrastination

Just get started: If you are staring down a report or a long to-do list and dreading having to get through it all, one of the best methods is simple – just get started!  Once you start it is much easier to get on a roll and keep the productivity going. As tempting as it is to watch just one more episode of your favorite show before getting to your errands, once you get going you’ll get excited to complete the next chore and be able to get through them quickly. Then hopefully, there will be some time for that show later.

Change the environment: The lighting and temperature of your workspace could be hindering your productivity. Optimal room temperature to be productive is 77 degrees Fahrenheit, according to a study from Cornell. Allowing more natural light into your office will make you more productive as well. Waking up early can help productivity, mainly because you get to work while there is more natural light available. But make sure the light doesn’t cause any glare on your computer screen, as straining your eyes to read the screen will hurt your efficiency.

Avoid long to-do lists: If you overload your to-do list, it may seem overwhelming to get everything done. Making a shorter list will seem more manageable and feel less daunting to complete. To-do lists can be a great motivator – as long as they are the right size.

Dispel distractions: If you have an important report to work on or a big test to study for, shut off your email and block yourself from logging on to social media sites. Disconnecting, even for just an hour, will increase your productivity significantly.

Set realistic goals: Don’t expect yourself to complete five hours of work in two hours – it just isn’t possible. Instead, be realistic about your workload and the amount of time it will take to complete it. If you must ask for a more realistic deadline to finish, do so. But be sure to have a deadline to motivate you to finish. It will increase your productivity and lower your stress level. There are many things that can get in the way of a productive day. But by taking the proper steps you can get rid of the distractions and finish everything you need to get done. And nothing feels better than the end of a productive day.