Is it possible to work productively without psychological well-being? Of course, but sooner or later it will lead to burnout and a decrease in productivity to zero. In pursuit of personal efficiency, it is very easy to sacrifice your psychological health. An eternally unfinished to-do list guarantees stress, a bad mood and bouts of self-criticism. But today, efficiency is extremely important for success. How can you be productive while remaining in harmony with yourself? Today, we have prepared some tips for you without fluff and hackneyed truths:
1. Write down
If you don’t want to write on paper, create a to-do list and notes on your computer or smartphone. Writing down tasks can help reduce stress and ensure that you don’t forget anything. Thanks to the Zeigarnik effect, we experience anxiety and discomfort when unfinished tasks hang over us. Writing down necessary tasks allows the brain to relax a little.
Try using the Eisenhower Matrix. It consists of four quadrants based on two axes - the importance axis (vertical) and the urgency axis (horizontal). Each quadrant has its own distinctive qualities, for example, urgent and important tasks will be placed in quadrant A, and important but not so urgent tasks will be placed in quadrant B. By dividing all tasks into these four blocks, you will see an objective picture. You will understand which tasks to do first, second, and which ones you can skip altogether.
2. Set priorities
You can’t work around the clock. In fact, the time for truly productive work varies in the range of only two to five hours a day. We cannot manage time, but we can manage our energy and decide what to spend it on. To do this, you will need an effective planning system that will allow you to rank tasks by importance.
Start your day with important and urgent tasks. Then focus on important but not urgent tasks. Think about which of your tasks can be delegated? What tasks can you ignore without any negative consequences?
3. Include rest in the schedule
It is extremely important to remember the need to recharge for future victories. Even if we are productive in the morning, over time our concentration drops, our attention is scattered, and it takes longer to recharge our batteries.
Many people feel guilty about taking breaks from work, which is hardly helpful in recharging their batteries. So make rest a legitimate part of your schedule, allow yourself short breaks, and include them in your to-do list. This way, you will recharge your batteries without the guilt of having planned breaks.
4. When starting a new task, think about why you are doing it
Sometimes we fall into the “to-do list” trap, when crossing items off your diary becomes a goal in itself. Ask yourself: “If I don’t do this right now, what will happen?” Perhaps you should delete the item or come back to it later.
5. Use the two-minute rule
If a task can be completed in two minutes, do it right now. Writing it down in your planner and then returning to it will take much more time and effort.
6. Work in productive time
Every person has their own peak productivity time of day. Analyze your efficiency during the day and try to plan your schedule so that the most important and responsible tasks fall at this time.
7. Turn off notifications
Turn off all or almost all notifications: advertising SMS, newsletters, messages from friends on Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram and Skype. Every notification you pay attention to not only steals precious seconds, but also disrupts your state of "flow". This not only interferes with the completion of the task, but can even lead to stress without you noticing.
Learn to concentrate. Each person needs an individual atmosphere for this, but silence and the absence of distractions are key components. So turn on the "Do not disturb" mode. Trust us, you won't miss anything and you can get back to your messages as soon as you finish the current task.
8. Start your day with something pleasant
It's very important to please yourself and set yourself up for a positive mood. Create a morning ritual for yourself. A leisurely cup of delicious coffee, yoga, reading or your favorite music - any little thing can make the morning a little happier and set the tone for the whole day.
9. Complex tasks first?
There are several opinions on prioritizing tasks. Some experts suggest starting with one or two simple tasks to warm up and "get into the working rhythm." But it's worth trying another approach. If you have a complex or unpleasant task, try to complete it at the very beginning of the day. The habit of taking on difficult tasks with a fresh head and unspent energy will help you overcome such tasks more easily. And the feeling of satisfaction from completing a complex task will provide an excellent mood for the rest of the day. This method will suit most people, but not for everyone. Try it, maybe it's just for you!
10. Sleep well, eat healthy and exercise
The health of your body directly affects your brain's capabilities. You will never reach your full potential if you are not healthy. Don't skimp on good products, get rid of bad habits. It has been proven that exercise improves mental abilities, and lack of quality sleep can worsen them.
Remember: you are a human being, not a robot. Productivity without proper rest can only be temporary and will inevitably lead to problems. It is extremely important to maintain a normal balance between work and rest, because achieving goals, no matter how significant they are, is difficult without mental balance.
Remember that your health is your top priority.