Who doesn’t want to be more productive? Our world is only getting busier and more competitive, and only demanding that we work faster, so shouldn’t our productivity be skyrocketing?
Watch this 3-minute video and see how understanding just a little bit of science can crack the code to your productivity:
In other words, working more, trying harder, and logging in more time will not lead you to being more productive. Below, we’ve outlined the three, easy-to-remember steps explained in the video:
1. Get Started
It may be the most difficult step, but by starting a task, we are entrusting that science and our own biological make-up will guide us if we falter. It is proven that we naturally feel uncomfortable when we don’t complete a task we’ve started. It’s known as the Zeigarnik Effect. So, when you feel it, welcome it, and continue on to the next step!
2. Work Smarter, Not Harder
Remember: working more and trying harder doesn’t mean you are productive. Most likely, you’ll experience burnout before any essence of a reward. Rather, productivity takes discipline and deliberate scheduling.
Honing Your Discipline:
Break large, daunting tasks into chunks
Create deadlines
Write these deadlines down in your calendar
Work towards each of these deadlines
Schedule 15-minute breaks after each 90-minute work session, and,
Allow your productivity to unfold.
Take a moment here to recall last week’s blog post entitled, “Time Out! Why Taking Time Out for Yourself is Important”? and remember why breaks aren’t selfish; they’re innovative.
Fine-Tuning Your Scheduling:
Enlist the help of an “accountability chart” and:
Write down your tasks in one column
Take note of the time it takes to complete each task in the other column
Track your progress
Evaluate your work
And feel the accomplishments of your time well spent.
3. Stop Multi-tasking
Today, we think that multitasking leads to productivity when in fact, it is just busyness, not effectiveness. Instead, work effectively by planning the night before. Make a list of the tasks you want to focus on the next day. Again, split your larger tasks into chunks and come the next day, CHARGE!
Here at Lamson Institute, we pride ourselves in making our students our #1 priority. We hope these tips will help guide you on your path to creating your own success!
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