How do I increase productivity? It may seem like a simple question, but there are many ways to answer it. Some people say you should sleep more, work in shorter increments of time, or get rid of distractions. But there are other ways to boost your productivity.
As a nocturnal human being, sleep on its own is very difficult. Yes, I could go to bed earlier, but that sucks and I don’t wanna!!! Working in shorter increments of time, like the Pomodoro method, is also helpful for some.
In this blog post, I want to introduce three ideas to be more productive at work and in life you can try out. You can start using them today and see if they have a positive effect on your routine and productivity levels!
1. Start Your Day Motivated
The Law of Attraction is a popular concept that says you attract into your life what you think about most. This concept has found its way into motivational speeches and inspirational music.
Having the right energy at the start of the day is crucial for productivity. One way to get that positive energy flowing is through motivational speeches.
I usually find these speeches on YouTube, TED Talks, or other video sharing sites. They are a great way to get you up and going.
Choose people you want to hear from if you can find it. Pick speeches that resonate with who you are and what you want to achieve in life.
Put out in the world what you intend to achieve when you wake up, on your drive to work, as you walk into work or having your first cup of coffee.
Me? I love a good injection of Maya Angelou.
** Ahem **
“Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
’Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.”
– Maya Angelou, “Still I Rise”
Here’s my favorite performance
2. Set Reasonable Goals… then SMASH THEM
Achieving your goals can be a challenge. But setting unrealistic goals is even more discouraging. It feels so good to accomplish a goal, but it feels even better to set a reasonable goal and exceed expectations.
There are two major pitfalls you should avoid:
1) Setting unrealistic goals that you know you can’t accomplish. It just sets you up for disappointment and frustration that’s not worth the emotional toll.
2) Setting too many small, achievable goals that don’t really push you beyond your limits or challenge your limits in any meaningful way.
I recommend choosing modest goals and then challenge yourself to exceed that mark. You want to make sure that these goals are not too easy nor too hard.
Because you KNOW marking things off a checklist gets our endorphins all buzzing, but exceeding our goals is the sweet spot.
3. Get Tomorrow Prepped
Preparation is key to being productive for. This is especially true for admins.
If you have morning meetings, before you go home, prepare for meetings the next day. You don’t know what tomorrow morning will bring, but if you prepared to start the day like a badass, no matter what, you’ll be a badass.
No one can take that from you.
If you want to give yourself a head start on your next days’ activities, here are some useful tips on how you can prepare today:
– Prepare tomorrow’s to-do list today.
– Print documents for the next day’s activities and meetings so you have them at hand when needed.
– Prepare any necessary talking points, materials, and reminders needed for your meeting or presentation.
If you are using Trello, and you’re no stranger to the blog, then already know how I use Trello to help me prepare for meetings. At the end of the day, I review my talking points for the next day’s meeting to see if I need to print anything. If I have time, I spend about five minutes to prepare for the next day, move incomplete tasks to the next day, and glance at what’s expected for the next day.
Conclusion
I know these methods to increase productivity tips might not be the usual list you’re used to, but this is what I do to stay productive.
My mindset, motivation, and mental stamina I found has a major impact on my productivity. Inviting positivity, reminding myself that I’m human (an awesome human most of the time), keeping myself focused on my capabilities, and being the best past-admin to my future-admin really helps.
Another quick tip, do something nice for another admin or colleague. Write a quick note, quick email, or get them a coffee/tea/baked good.
There’s something magical about doing something small and having a big, positive impact than can really make your day feel extra good and extra productive. The best employee is a happy employee!
I hope you enjoyed my productivity tips. I enjoyed sharing them with you!
Photo by Carl Heyerdahl on Unsplash
