Overcoming Procrastination and Boosting Productivity
In this post you will find a comprehensive list of ways to overcome procrastination, and the positive effects that will end up happening in your life. By learning how to manage your time, spread yourself out, and become productive you will be able to accomplish more in less time. You'll also be able to avoid the adverse effects of stress and burnout that come with being constantly busy. So if these topics interest you, make sure you read on for a more detailed review on how you can start thriving within just a few short weeks!
It's no secret that overworking can lead to burnout and stress-related problems such as depression or anxiety. It drives relationships and even performance in the workplace. So if you're someone who is constantly running around, here are some ways to change your thinking and start using procrastination as a tool instead of always something to be avoided:
Be Skeptical About Overworking
This may seem like a strange way to start off this list, but being skeptical about overworking can be an incredibly powerful strategy. It may cause you to question the culture that surrounds overworking rather than blindly accept it as normal. Once you realize this phenomenon isn't as bad as everyone makes it out to be, you will feel no need or desire to rush through your work or overwork yourself. You will in turn be able to manage your time more efficiently and become much more productive.
Don't Make Overworking a Priority
Many people strive to get a lot of things done in one day, but you'll find that it's much better not to make overworking a priority. Don't sacrifice the health of your family or your future for the sake of working late to finish an assignment late. If you have a particular project or assignment that you need to do, then set aside specific times throughout each week and block out just as many hours as are needed for the task at hand.
Adjust Your Schedule
If you have a lot of assignments and projects to work on, you may need to adjust your schedule. This means that instead of spreading yourself across all of these things and making them a priority, simply focus on one thing at a time. If you only have one or two tasks for the day, then dedicate the entirety of your time towards working on those tasks in order to become more efficient. By doing this, you will be able to prioritize the most important things first and accomplish them quickly. Then, when it's time for something else in the future, you'll know exactly what needs to get done and can make sure it's done quickly.
Disconnect
From your email, that is. Many people find that they are constantly checking their email or text messages during work hours, and this will eat up all of your time and energy. The more you check these messages, the more you will feel the need to respond, and the cycle continues. So if you're someone with a habit of constantly checking your phone or email, then make sure you turn both off when it's time to get work done. Make yourself completely unavailable for a few hours so that you can focus on getting things done efficiently!
Take Breaks
Many people have a habit of taking short breaks in quick succession throughout their day, but these little breaks really add up. You might sit at your desk and feel like you're being productive by checking things off of your to-do list one by one. But in reality, you're only getting a few minutes of work done before taking a break for a few seconds or minutes. Instead of taking these little breaks, make sure you give yourself several moments of rest throughout the day. Do something that doesn't involve work for at least 15 minutes here and there so that you can avoid feeling burnt out on the job.
Take Care of Your Body
You should always make sure you take care of your body to avoid the stress-related problems associated with overworking (such as depression). But how do you do this? Stop exercising and eating too many calories. If you eat a big meal every day, then make sure you don't overeat for breakfast or lunch. You need those big meals only in the evenings, leaving your overall calorie intake a little below maintenance levels. This will help you avoid stress-related health problems that come with being overworked, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Get Enough Sleep
If you're someone who sleeps less than 7-8 hours a night, then it's time to change this habit so that you can become more productive during the day. Not getting enough sleep will leave you feeling sluggish, irritable, and stressed out all day long. So if you're someone who habitually skips sleep, then make sure you get at least 7 hours of sleep every night. If getting enough sleep isn't realistic, then try to see if you can fit in a nap during the day so that you can regain your energy.
Understand Your Productivity Cycle
You should also acquaint yourself with your productivity cycle and optimize it to fit within the confines of your daily schedule. Each person is different when it comes to their own productivity cycle, which is why understanding this concept is so important for overcoming procrastination and boosting overall productivity levels. Some people are most productive in the late afternoon/early evening while others are more productive earlier in the morning. So figure out when you're most productive and make sure to plan your work schedule around this time.
Optimize Your Time
If you're someone with a lot of different things going on in a given day, then you should optimize your time so that you can use as much of it as possible. Plan out the rest of your day using a planner so that you know exactly what needs to get done and when it needs to be done by. If you have particular tasks that need to be worked on at specific times during the week, then make sure you do them at these times during the workday. This will allow for optimal productivity levels and keep your schedule free from unnecessary stress.
Just Say No
Don't feel guilty for saying no to a task or project. If you have other things that need to get done and take priority, then simply push back the task and set a time limit on when it needs to be completed by. Believe it or not, other people will understand this and won't push you into taking on too many tasks. In fact, they will be more likely to let you off the hook if they know you're already working hard on something else.
Conclusion
So there you have it! These are just a few tips that you can use to become more productive. Don't feel like you need to execute them all at once, work on one thing at a time so that you can become more efficient and productive. Try out these productivity tips for a full week and see how much difference they make in your daily work routine.
About the Author:
Kandee Johnson is a professional writer who counts down the days until her first novel comes out in 2017! In her downtime, Kandee spends most of her time cozying up with her dog Samantha and playing video games with friends and family.