I’m a fan of efficiency and productivity. That means I enjoy squeezing as much time as possible into making my ventures as productive as possible, with as little wasted time or efforts. This can often lead to an extended work-day. Once I clock out of my day job, I clock into my after-work work life.
If you’re like me, you may benefit from a few of these productivity tips I find help me stay focused and efficient.
Make Tomorrow’s To-Do List
What are the top three things you want to accomplish tomorrow? If the devil is in the details, prioritizing and visualizing your goals can help you pre-plan how you will tackle the small details needed for project completion. Waste less time trying to figure out WHAT to do tomorrow, by making it a priority today.
Play Catch Up
Was there a prioritized item on your list which you didn’t get to finish? Can you complete it tonight or take a substantial bite out of the work? If not, can it be pushed out to tomorrow? Add it to the next day’s Must Do items (if applicable).
Shut Off Your Work Brain
Get your mind off work issues (I know, I know… easier said than done, but try!) and do something else that requires a different brain wave. For example, after a long day at the shop I volunteer my time as an Assistant Youth Football coach during the football season. Off season I make time to hit the gym, try to learn a new skill, etc. These healthy distractions help me not only forget about work briefly, but spark my creative juices in ways that can help me think critically and outside the box while at work.
Shut Off Electronics Before Heading To Bed
Relaxing is easier said than done, but preparing yourself and developing a routine can make all the difference. This can mean shutting off electronic devices some time before hitting the bed. In fact, the National Sleep Foundation has found
Americans’ use of technology near sleep is highly prevalent, and related to sleep difficulties, especially in younger age groups (i.e., < 30 years of age).
Want a good night’s sleep for a refreshed and more alert morning? Turn off your phone, tablet and computer and don’t bring them to bed. Trust me, this is one I have trouble with myself, but I’m trying!
Reading and Self-Reflection
What was the last good book you’ve read? How about the last magazine article that impacted you or your business? How about your spiritual faith, have you set time aside to read and learn or meditate?
By thinking about things that aren’t work-specific you can stumble upon ideas you can incorporate or solve problems you didn’t know you had. Perhaps you think of a new product idea, or an approach towards solving a concern that’s been sitting in the back of your mind.
As an added bonus, setting time to read and relax can help you go to sleep sooner.
Those are some of the ideas I’ve found useful by reading numerous other tips and articles. How about you? Do you have any tips, ideas or suggestions to offer? I’d love to hear about them! Comment below or tweet me to continue this conversation online.