Productivity hacks to make the most of your time and keep on track:
1. Have some airplane time
The internet is the biggest source of procrastination, so once a week why not schedule time in your calendar – anything from an hour to a whole day – dedicated to completing non-internet based tasks. Turn off your smartphone, set up a temporary out-of-office email and get cracking. You might be surprised by how much you achieve.
2. Make the most of your morning
We are normally the most alert and productive first thing so don’t waste this precious time. Instead of starting your day by reading emails and checking social media, dedicate the first hour of your working day to completing one or your most difficult or dreaded tasks. This ensures you make the most of your brain at its most productive and sets your day off on a positive foot.
3. The two-minute rule
If a task takes less than two minutes to complete you should finish it immediately. Whether that means responding to an email or confirming a meeting, if you get those small tasks immediately it prevents them from building up.
The One Thing by Gary Keller will help you eliminate what you want less and include what you want more. Read it here.
4. Create a productive work environment
First up, clean your desk and remove anything that might distract you. Next, create a space that inspires you. Fill your workspace with uplifting images, candles or plants – whatever makes you want to work. If you’re still feeling unable to concentrate, turn your smartphone to ‘call-only’ mode or turn it off completely.
5. Use your commute to your advantage
All time is precious, so don’t waste your commute. If you travel by public transport use this time to catch up on emails and make a to-do list for the day, or why not listen to industry-related podcasts, or pick up that book you have been meaning to read? If you drive to work, podcasts or audio books might be a welcome change from listening to the radio. Just make sure you’re focused on the most important task at hand: driving!
6. Never agree to a meeting without a clear agenda
In a start-up, ineffective meetings are a big drain on productivity. Implement a rule that all meetings proposed by someone in your business need an agenda and time limit. This will stop meetings running over and ensure the meeting is the best use of everyone’s time.
Do you use any other great productivity hacks we missed? Let us know in the comments below.
