If you’re looking for productivity habits to stop procrastinating and start getting more done efficiently, this is the list of hacks for you.

Between navigating through all of our various roles in life working and as daughters, sisters, friends, and partners there is always a long list of things to do, you just can’t seem to make enough time.

But what if you want to increase your productivity with the most basic things you can do first? Then this list is for you.

While the truth is that there is no single path to being productive, there are a lot of productivity hacks we can incorporate into our daily routine in order to make our days easier.

What Is Productivity?

Productivity is more than doing more things or ticking tasks off your to-do list.

Productivity means focusing on accomplishing important things. The road to being more productive can be long, so do not panic – these hacks will help you along.

Best Productivity Hacks for a Successful Day

Here are some great productivity habits that will set your day up for success.

1. Plan Your Day Ahead of Time To Be More Productive

The first step to being productive is scheduling your days ahead.

Plan out tasks that need to be done, and any appointments you have, and know what you’re doing every day to have a purpose. Without a schedule, you’re likely to miss out on important tasks. 

Write down a detailed daily plan each morning.

Write everything you need to do so that you have a sense of direction and know what to focus on next. This eliminates all guesswork, and there’s less chance of you procrastinating and wasting time because you do not know what to do with your time.

2. Prioritize Your Tasks To Work Efficiently

Prioritization sounds easy, but it isn’t always that simple.

To prioritize your tasks, think ahead and look at your goals. The most important tasks that directly impact your goals should be what you prioritize.

Ask yourself what needs to be done first to make the rest of the day or week move along more smoothly and reach your weekly goals.

3. Wake Up Early To Get More Done

You can achieve a lot by simply waking up early.

An early start to your days will give you time to eat a good breakfast, work out or go on a walk, take a shower, and get ready for the day, and just give you an overall head start.

You may even complete your tasks earlier, allowing more free time in the evenings to unwind and relax.

If you’re not used to waking up early, try easing yourself into the habit, as you should do with all habits. Try going to bed and waking up 20 minutes earlier each day until you’ve reached your desired goal time.

4. Work In Short Bursts To Avoid Burnout

It’s hard to stay focused on the same thing for a long time, so make things easier on yourself by working in short time bursts.

The Pomodoro method is a popular technique for boosting productivity and time management. The Pomodoro method consists of working in 25-minute increments with 5-minute breaks in between each session.

This method is a fan favorite for a reason!

It’s proven that our brain feels more refreshed and focused when we can work in bursts. Set a timer, pick a task to focus on, and then give yourself short breaks to recharge and reenergize and come back to it.

If this method doesn’t seem to quite work for you, try adjusting the time increments and breaks to best suit you and your needs.

5. Maximise Your Energy

Mornings are the most productive time of the day. Getting a head start each day is the best way to maximize your energy to be productive and complete more tasks faster and more efficiently.

Tackle your most daunting tasks first and work your way downwards from there.

Without setting yourself up properly, there’s no way you can reach maximum productivity. Getting those 6 to 8 hours of sleep is just as important as waking up early. You cant have your most productive time if you haven’t had a good night’s rest.

6. Have An Accountability Buddy

One of the best productivity hacks is to have an accountability buddy.

It could be your colleague, your supervisor, or anyone who can be brutal and hold you accountable to completing your tasks.

You can do the same for them and be each other’s support systems.

7. Learn To Say No

Setting boundaries is important to being productive.

Understandably, you may want to be helpful whenever you can, but you won’t be able to get things done if you’re constantly taking on requests from others and stopping your days to complete other people’s tasks.

So learn to say ‘no’ to last-minute requests so you can stay on track.

8. Avoid multitasking

There’s a misconception that multitasking is a great way to finish multiple tasks quickly because you’re working on various things at once.

In reality, not many people can multitask effectively. That’s because the human brain can focus on one task at a time and be efficient.

When we try to multitask, our brains are just bouncing back and forth between different tasks, which can slow down our performance and result in more mistakes.

Batch similar tasks so you can complete them with the same frame of mind. This will make your work process flow smoothly and help you do more in less time and be more productive.

9. Understand Your Work Zones

Matching the type of work that needs to be done with where you do it is a huge way to be more productive.

Find out where you do your work best, maybe your best creative ideas come to you when you’re on a walk and can let your mind reset, or maybe you like to sit at a desk in your home office and have a more structured work system.

Either way, knowing when and where you are at your best for all of your various tasks can be a real productivity boost and help with your work-life balance.

10. Schedule Time for Self-Care

Schedule self-care activities to recharge yourself and prevent burnout from the pressure of work.

It could be anything that helps you relax and unwind, reading for self-care, a relaxing shower routine, a 10-minute walk, giving yourself a manicure and pedicure, painting, or meditating. 

When all else fails, the most significant hack to productivity is being patient with yourself.

There will be days when things don’t go as planned, and you don’t achieve everything on your to-do list. On those days, be patient with yourself and remember that tomorrow is another opportunity to be more productive.

Life can get busy at times, sometimes it escapes us. Between work, family, friends, appointments, hobbies, side hustles, and other obligations, it just feels like we don’t have enough time, especially any for relaxation and self-care.

At times, it may just feel like you’re going through the motions and barely have time for anything.

By creating a weekly schedule, you can regain control over your schedule and make adjustments where you see fit.

By scheduling your month and weeks, you’ll give yourself a powerful way to manage your time and balance your life.

It can’t be that easy can it, well it actually is.

What Is Planning Your Week

The process of organizing your goals and priorities for the week, making sure to incorporate your tasks and commitments ahead.

It gives you an overview of what needs to be done for the week and how much time you’ll have to do it. Allowing you to have full control over your time and energy.

It divides up your time accordingly so you have enough time to complete everything.

Why Planning Your Week Is Important

Planning your week can help you get the most out of your time. Even when you feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day, you’ll be surprised how many more hours you’ll find when you sit down and map out your time.

Planning your week has many advantages, it can help;

–Eliminate distractions, this is especially helpful if you work from home or for yourself.

-Helps you stay focused for the week ahead.

-Prevents you from stressing and keeps down your anxiety attacks helping you remain more productive.

-Helps you review long-term goals you may have and scale them down into smaller more attainable goals that lead to them.

-You accomplish tasks efficiently and you don’t just finish them.

When it’s all said and done, without a plan, all you’ll do is go about your week aimlessly and unprepared. And at the end of the week, you’ll stumble around trying to complete all the things you just realized you needed to do.

You’ll get nothing done without a plan.

How To Plan Your Week

Review Your Long-Term Goals and Plan

As we’ve mentioned earlier, planning your week needs to be based on your long-term goals and plans.

If you’ve read my, monthly planning post, you would have already broken your goals down for each month, making it easier to plan your weeks.

It will help you set a direction and give you purpose for the days ahead. You’ll not only know what you’re doing but why and this will drive you even more.

Reviewing where you are with your achieving your goals will help you figure out what steps need to be taken to move forward for the week. You’ll know where you are and where you want to be by the end of this week.

Being clear on your goals and the steps you want to take will help you narrow down smaller more attainable goals that will lead to accomplishing your main goals, making you all the more efficient.

Review your yearly goals, then your monthly goals, and then set weekly goals. Make notes of appointments and commitments you have and work around them.

Make A Detailed List

Make a list of everything you need to accomplish for your week.

From big projects to simple tasks like hitting the gym 3 times or walking the dog daily. Account for all your time.

Have a checklist for everything you need to accomplish.

Set Your Priorities

Planning your week gives you time to set priorities for the week.

These are tasks that have to be accomplished no matter what. And ideally, you do these first during your week to get them out of the way.

Decide on a few priorities that you’ll task yourself with completing that week and focus on these. This will give you a sense of direction and ground you when you feel overwhelmed or forget why you’re doing this.

Know your priorities and focus on them.

Design A Schedule

Break down each priority into simpler, smaller tasks.

These should be actions that will help you get your priorities completed. Have your schedule written down, either on paper, in a planner, or on post-it notes.

Block out time for weekly priority tasks and focus on only them during this time. This will let you know where to invest your time and when.

Take into consideration the time needed in between. Add 15 minutes to travel time, or account for an extra 20 minutes after a meeting in case it runs long, and also just add in a few intervals for you to take a breather during the day. This will prevent stress and burnout.

Allocate time for unforeseen circumstances and events. You never know what could come up and having things thrown at you and not having enough time can be stressful and disheartening. So reserve time for emergencies and don’t overbook your days.

Figure out which priority you’ll focus on for the day and group similar tasks together so your brain doesn’t have to switch between different types of of activities

AdviceFromNobody

Build A Daily Routine

Create productive habits to help you achieve your weekly goals. This will help you focus and creates a sense of direction for each day.

Begin by outlining activities you can do every day to improve overall productivity.

Like working out when you wake up, going on a walk during your breaks, or simply drinking water when you wake up.

Incorporating these little things into your daily routine will make a huge difference in how you go about your days.

Slowly incorporate habits one at a time, introducing a new one every time you have mastered a new one.

Review Your Weekly Progress

Always reflect on the previous week.

Congratulate yourself on what you’ve managed to accomplish, review your progress and figure out if there are ways you could optimize your week even more.

If you struggled to complete all the tasks for the week, maybe consider dialing it back a bit and giving yourself more time to accomplish them.

Or if you find yourself having too much free time and you feel like you weren’t productive enough.

Add in a few more tasks meant for the next week and maximize your days and productivity.

The best part about planning is all the extra time the day seems to have afterward.

It increases productivity and gives you more time to relax. All the while allowing you to accomplish your goals and work towards the bigger picture.

The best part of weekly planning is that it reduces stress. Knowing what needs to be done at certain times eliminates worry, like did you forget anything that you should be doing? It’s all the little things.

Are you constantly juggling an ever-growing to-do list, overwhelmed by the demands of a busy life? Do you wish for more “me time” but find it elusive?

If you can relate, you’re not alone. As women, we often feel the relentless pressure to excel in various roles, from managing careers to orchestrating our homes and much more.

The list seems endless. But fear not, because I’ve discovered a game-changing technique that allows me to single-task effectively while boosting productivity and allowing me to be more organized and effective: Time Blocking.

Related Post: How To Set New Years Resolutions

What Is Time Blocking

Time blocking is the practice of dividing your day into designated time slots and assigning tasks to each of these slots, ensuring that every moment is accounted for.

Time Blocking is a skillful approach to organization.

It involves dedicating specific time blocks to accomplish tasks, ensuring that no minute goes unallocated.

I find it essential to intersperse my time blocks with scheduled ‘comfort breaks.’

These intervals are where I prioritize coffee breaks, take time to stretch my legs, and, most importantly, step away from work for 30 minutes at regular intervals throughout the day, this is especially useful when you work from home.

This practice is vital in preventing burnout and maintaining productivity.

Each time block is dedicated to a specific task, leaving no room for distractions or procrastination.

I’ve come to realize that if I have unallocated time, it becomes a breeding ground for distractions, and I catch myself thinking, “I can do that later.” It’s crucial to resist this trap; the moment for action is now!

Below, you’ll find an example of a fully time-blocked week.

Related Post: How To Set Up Your Planner

Why Use Time Blocking Method

Let’s face it; there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to productivity.

It’s not for everyone, but it does work wonders for me, especially in combating my chronic procrastination habits.

However, by proactively planning my day and allotting specific time blocks for tasks, I manage to maintain my momentum and stay motivated.

Moreover, this method can be an effective strategy for carving out more “me time” or quality family time, ensuring I meet work deadlines and leave the office promptly at 5 p.m.

Time blocking can be applied to a wide range of tasks, not just household chores and getting work done.

I’ve incorporated it into my blogging routine, using it for brainstorming new ideas and writing blog posts.

Whether it’s cleaning out the fridge, making dinner, or organizing paperwork, time blocking can help you tackle those tasks more efficiently.

Block out at least 30 minutes for something you love, such as reading, gardening, taking a walk, or indulging in your favorite hobby.

Let your loved ones know that this time is off-limits, and if necessary, leave your home to ensure you get the personal time you deserve.

Related Post: How To Create A Vision Board

Tips For Time Blocking

Starting time blocking can be a transformative way to manage your time and boost productivity. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started.

Set Clear Goals:

Before you begin time blocking, it’s essential to have a clear sense of your goals and priorities.

Determine what you want to accomplish in a given day or week.

Knowing your objectives will guide your time-blocking efforts effectively.

Select a Time-Blocking Tool:

Choose a tool that suits your preferences and needs. This can be a physical planner, a digital calendar, or specialized time-blocking apps.

The right tool will make the process more convenient for you.

Identify Your Time Blocks:

Divide your day into distinct time blocks.

Common time block durations are 30 minutes, 1 hour, or 2 hours, but feel free to adjust these based on your tasks and personal preferences.

These don’t have to be the same each day, you should adjust each day to what works for you best.

Allocate Time for Your Most Important Tasks:

Start by allocating time blocks to your most critical tasks or priorities.

Addressing these first ensures that you tackle your most significant responsibilities when your energy and focus levels are at their peak.

Avoid Overloading:

Be realistic about how much you can accomplish in a specific time block.

It’s important to avoid the temptation of overloading your schedule, which can lead to stress and disappointment.

Include Breaks:

Don’t forget to include short breaks between your time blocks.

These breaks are essential for rejuvenation and maintaining focus throughout the day.

Stay Flexible:

While time blocking provides structure, it’s important to remain flexible.

Unexpected events can occur, so be prepared to adjust your schedule as necessary.

Eliminate Distractions:

During your time blocks, take steps to minimize distractions.

Turn off unnecessary notifications, find a quiet workspace, and inform others that you are in a focused work period.

Review and Adjust:

At the end of the day or week, take some time to review how well your time-blocking strategy worked.

Did you accomplish your goals?

Based on your experience, make any necessary adjustments to your schedule for the next day or week.

Time blocking is a personalized process, and it may take some time to fine-tune your approach.

Experiment with different time block durations, styles, and tools until you find what works best for you.

Be Consistent:

Consistency is key to the success of time blocking. Stick to your schedule and continually refine your time-blocking skills for better results.

Stay patient, adapt as you go, and keep refining your approach until you find a time-blocking strategy that helps you achieve your goals effectively.

Time blocking is my secret weapon for crossing items off my to-do list and maintaining a sense of balance in my life.

It provides a comforting sense of control when life seems chaotic. I hope these insights will be a valuable tool for you, helping you navigate the whirlwind of daily responsibilities.

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Have you tried time-blocking before?

Share your experiences in the comments, or if you haven’t, give it a shot today (just 30 minutes to start) and let me know how it works for you.

Setting goals is an essential part of personal and professional development.

However, not all goals are created equal. The difference between dreams and actionable goals lies in how they are made. Enter SMART goals, a tried-and-true way for creating clear, achievable goals.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about SMART goals and how to set them effectively.

Related Post: A Guide To Achievable Monthly Goals

What Are SMART Goals?

SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This framework helps in setting goals that are clear and reachable, increasing the likelihood of success.

Related Post: How To Stay Motivated And Achieve Your Goals

Why Are SMART Goals Important?

Setting SMART goals provides a clear roadmap to success. Here are some key benefits:

Related Post: The Best Planners To Reach All Your Goals

How to Set SMART Goals

1. Be Specific

The first step in setting a SMART goal is to be as specific as possible. Answer the following questions to add clarity to your goal:

For example, instead of saying, “I want to get fit,” specify your goal: “I want to run a 5K race in my city to improve my physical fitness.”

Related Post: 15 Desk Hacks To Make You More Productive At Work

2. Make It Measurable

To track your progress, your goal needs to be measurable. This involves quantifying your goal with exact figures or defining how you’ll know when it’s accomplished. Ask yourself:

Building on the previous example, a measurable goal would be: “I want to run a 5K race in under 30 minutes.” or “I want to run a 5k race faster then I did last year.”

Related Post: 12 Lists To Make You Stay Organized

3. Make Sure It’s Achievable

Your goal should stretch your abilities but remain possible. Setting unrealistic goals can lead to frustration and failure. Consider the following questions for yourself:

For example, if you are new to running, an achievable goal might be: “I want to train for and complete a 5K race within 12 weeks.”

4. Make It Relevant

A relevant goal aligns with other objectives and is worthwhile to you. Ask yourself:

Your running goal should be relevant to your broader health objectives. With our running theme, running a 5k would align a lot with someone who wants to become fitter and improve their health.

5. Set a Time-bound Deadline

Every goal needs a target date to create a sense of urgency. Deadlines help you focus and prioritize your tasks. Ask yourself:

A time-bound goal might be: “I want to run a 5K race within the next 12 weeks.”

Putting It All Together

Combining all elements, your SMART goal becomes: “I want to train for and run a 5K race within 12 weeks, aiming to finish in under 30 minutes, to improve my overall health and endurance.”

Examples of SMART Goals

Personal Development

Career Goals

Health and Fitness

Tips for Achieving SMART Goals

While achieving SMART goals is notoriously easier than achieving regular goals, they are still goals and we all know how they can be tricky to accomplish when not done right.

Here are some tips to help you always achieve your goals.

1. Break Down Goals

Large goals can be overwhelming. Break them down into smaller, manageable tasks.

For example, if your goal is to write a book, start with outlining chapters, writing a set number of words daily, and setting milestones for each stage of the writing process.

2. Create an Action Plan

Develop a detailed action plan that outlines the steps you need to take to achieve your goal.

This can include timelines, resources needed, and potential obstacles.

3. Stay Flexible

Life is unpredictable, and sometimes your plans need to change. Stay flexible and be ready to adjust your goals as needed.

This doesn’t mean abandoning them, but rather adapting them to new circumstances.

4. Monitor Progress Regularly

Regularly review your progress and make adjustments as needed.

This helps in staying on track and making necessary changes to your action plan.

5. Celebrate Achievements

Celebrate your milestones and achievements along the way.

This boosts motivation and makes the process enjoyable. Recognize your hard work and reward yourself appropriately.

Related Post: Healthy Ways To Reward Yourself For Achieving Goals

Setting SMART goals is a powerful tool for personal and professional growth.

By making your goals Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound, you create a clear path to success.

Remember to break down large goals, create detailed action plans, stay flexible, monitor your progress, and celebrate your achievements.

With these strategies, you can set and achieve goals that bring you closer to your desired outcomes. Start setting your SMART goals today and watch your dreams become reality.

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The adage “work smarter, not harder” has never been more relevant in today’s fast-paced work environment.

Productivity isn’t just about putting in more hours; it’s about making the most of your time.

You can transform your workspace into a hub of efficiency by implementing smart goals, effective time management, and a few clever desk hacks.

15 Hacks to Make You More Productive

Here are 15 desk hacks to help you become more productive at work.

1. Declutter Your Workspace

A cluttered desk can lead to a cluttered mind.

Take a few minutes at the end of each day to clear away unnecessary items.

This simple act can significantly reduce stress and improve focus, allowing you to dive into your work with a clear mind.

2. Ergonomic Setup

Ensure your chair, desk, and computer setup support good posture.

An ergonomic workspace reduces strain on your body and helps you stay focused and productive throughout the day.

3. Smart Goals

While this is not restricted to your desk setup, it is necessary when working at your desk to accomplish any goals.

Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals.

Break your tasks into smaller, manageable steps and track your progress. This approach helps you stay on track and gives you a sense of accomplishment as you tick off each goal.

Related Post: The Ultimate Guide to SMART Goals You Can Actually Achieve

4. Use a Task Management System

Tools like Trello, Asana, or a simple to-do list app can help you keep track of your tasks.

Prioritize your tasks by importance and deadline to ensure you are working on what matters most.

5. Time Blocking

Allocate specific time slots for different tasks throughout your day.

This method helps you focus on one task at a time, reducing the temptation to multitask and the risk of procrastination.

Related Post: The Power of Time Blocking For Productivity

6. Keep Essential Supplies Within Reach

Organize your desk so that frequently used items are easily accessible. This minimizes disruptions and keeps you in the flow of work.

7. Use Noise-Canceling Headphones

Noise-canceling headphones can help you block out distractions and create a quiet environment conducive to concentration, especially in a noisy office.

8. Incorporate Natural Light

Whenever possible, position your desk near a window. Natural light boosts mood and energy levels, making you more productive and less prone to procrastination.

9. Add Greenery

Plants not only beautify your workspace but also improve air quality and reduce stress.

A small desk plant can make a big difference in your overall productivity.

10. Personalize Your Space

A few personal items, such as photos or a favorite mug, can make your workspace feel more inviting.

This personal touch can increase your comfort and productivity.

11. Healthy Snacks and Hydration

Keep healthy snacks and a water bottle at your desk.

Staying hydrated and nourished can help maintain your energy levels and keep you focused on productive things to do.

Related Post: Healthy Alternatives to Sweet Treats

12. Use a Desk Organizer

Invest in a good desk organizer to keep your stationery, documents, and gadgets in order. A well-organized desk saves time and reduces frustration.

13. Take Regular Breaks

Incorporate short breaks into your schedule to rest and recharge.

Techniques like the Pomodoro Technique, which involves working for 25 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break, can help maintain high productivity levels.

14. Digital Detox

Periodically, step away from digital screens to reduce eye strain and mental fatigue.

Use this time for a quick walk or some light stretching to rejuvenate your body and mind.

15. Reflect and Adjust

At the end of each week, take a few minutes to reflect on your productivity.

Identify what worked well and what didn’t, and adjust your strategies accordingly. Continuous improvement is key to long-term productivity.

Related Post: The Best Sunday Routine To Relax And Unwind

Implementing these desk hacks can help you work smarter, not harder.

By optimizing your workspace and adopting effective time management strategies, you’ll find yourself achieving more with less effort.

Embrace these changes, and watch your productivity soar.

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