8 Techniques to Help You Crush Your Productivity Goals

I don’t know about you, but I often find myself in a bit of a rut where I have the hardest time getting things done. But I’ve found some tips that have really helped me jump start my productivity, even when I don’t feel productive. Hopefully they’ll help you too! 

1. Keep a detailed planner.

If you don’t have a planner already, then you absolutely need one. In my planner I like to keep track of my month, my week, and my daily tasks.  Writing everything down lets me see the big picture, prioritize the most important stuff, and free’s up my mind so I can be more present. 

2. Create designated spaces for your goals (work desk, fitness space, reading nook, etc).

It might be tempting to work from your bed, especially during COVID times. But I’m telling you, it’s soooo not worth it. Having designated spaces for activities like work, fitness, reading, relaxing, and socializing is so important. We all need a little work-life balance, even if most of us are working and living in one space right now. 

3. Declutter your devices.

This one has made the BIGGEST difference in my life! I have a bad habit of letting apps, photos, and random files build up on my devices, and it can be so overwhelming. Start by deleting any files you don’t actually need anymore. For files that you need to keep a record of, but don’t use regularly, consider moving them to an external drive. And don’t forget to use folders on your desktop to keep the files that you need more regularly from looking cluttered. 

4. Determine what time of day you feel most productive.

I know for sure that I am absolutely not a morning person. But that’s ok. I ease into my mornings and get my most productive work done in the early afternoon. Find what time is most productive for you and use that time to your advantage. Don’t force yourself to be productive early in the morning or late at night if that’s not best for you! It’s all about working smarter, not harder. 

5. Set boundaries.

Set boundaries between your work and personal life. We’re all working so hard, and don’t get me wrong, I’m all here for working nights and weekends. But it’s so important to set some boundaries. You can block off time in your day that’s for work only. Alternatively you can block out times that are strictly for relaxing, or doing tasks for your non-work life. Either way, make sure you’re not neglecting yourself in the name of your side hustle. Boundaries will actually help you get more done in the long run. 

6. Get enough sleep.

We both know you’re not going to get anything done if you were up until 3 a.m. re-watching Bridgerton for the third time. Try to come up with a night routine that helps you settle in, unplug, and get to bed at a reasonable hour. I personally love to read a book or listen to a podcast before bed, but anything that helps you relax is great! 

7. Work in chunks.

 If you break daunting projects up into smaller tasks, they will be easier to achieve which means you'll be able to get things done more efficiently. Plus, getting easy tasks done helps you build momentum for your day because you feel accomplished every time you complete one! 

8. Work on one thing at a time. 

Multitasking might seem like the right thing to get many things done. But science shows that multitasking isn't real, we actually just switch between tasks quickly. This makes it harder to focus and harder to stay on track. That’s why it feels like projects take so much more time when we’re multitasking. Just focus on one thing at a time and make sure to give it your full attention. 

We all work in different ways, but what we have in common is that we’re not always going to feel like getting things done. Hopefully these tips will help you get the productivity ball rolling the next time you’re in a slump!