Tips to Boost Productivity

Wouldn’t you love to end your school day with everything finished on time and handed in? Maybe even get a head start on tomorrow’s work? When you’re feeling completely unmotivated, it can ruin productivity and put you behind in completing assignments. Or you can busy yourself with unimportant tasks that can throw off your schedule.

Keep in mind, there’s a difference between being busy and being productive. Being busy is about working harder, being frantic, fueled by perfectionism, and trying to be good at everything. On the other hand, being productive is about working smarter, being focused, fueled by purpose, and being great at a few important things.

So the question is: How do I make time for things that actually matter? If you’re would like to be more productive, here are some techniques to get as much done – as efficiently as possible.

Stay organized

Keeping everything in its place will save a lot of time searching. It’s a greatly underrated productivity booster. It’ll save you time and energy wasted on looking for things. And it’ll make your workspace look neater and better to look at it, which can be a major stress-buster.

Prioritize tasks

Instead of wasting valuable time on projects that aren’t very important, prioritize your to-do list and make a conscious plan to focus on the most important tasks each day. Get your most daunting tasks out of the way early so your day is freer.

“5 before 11”

Try picking 5 things you can get done before 11 am. Choose the things that will boost your sense of accomplishment and output. Breaking things down like this reduces the feeling of being overwhelmed, especially when you feel accomplished early in the day

Go for a walk

Instead of eating lunch at your desk or in front of a computer, go for a walk outside. Getting some fresh air will help you clear your head, give you some perspective, and a more positive outlook. Plus, it’s great physical exercise, and a change of scenery will do wonders for your creative juices. Studies prove that going for a walk, even a short one, can boost efficiency by 60%.

Stop multitasking

Some people think that juggling multiple things at once means they’re boosting their work rate. But studies have found that multitasking could do more harm than good because you’re not giving each task the time and effort it deserves. Try giving each task enough time to complete it before moving onto something else.

Have self-imposed deadlines

When you’re the one setting the deadline for yourself, you won’t feel pressure in a negative way. We’re creatures of habit, so go easy on yourself at first. The point is to acknowledge that you have a set time after which you’ll be held accountable for your work. When you do meet your deadline, give yourself a reward for getting the job done on time.

Beautify your surroundings

Attractive furniture and decor, such as candles, plants, vases, can be pleasing to look at. Moreover, they turn a boring space into something beautiful and functional with an added personal touch. They can also help increase productivity, as studies show, by up to 15%. By surrounding yourself with things that are aesthetically pleasing, you’ll be boosting production rate, creative outlet, along with your ability to focus on the task at hand.

Learn about yourself

There are going to be different times during the day that you’re more productive than others. Learn what time of the day you’re the most focused and plan to work on your highest priority tasks then.

Focus on goals

When you’re feeling particularly unmotivated, remind yourself of your long-term goals and why you’re working so hard. If you regularly check-in on your goals, it’s much easier to find the motivation to keep going and stay productive.

Boosting productivity means working smarter, not harder. So, try to resist the temptation to stuff your calendar with too many extra commitments that might be keeping you busy but less productive!

At the Arise Society, we help young adults that are struggling with anxiety, depression, gaming and other motivational issues. We provide personalized academic, therapeutic, and social support in a real-world setting, which gives our students the skills to reach their fullest potential.