10 Productivity Tips to Help Your Business
Have you ever felt like at the end of the day/week/month/year that you did not accomplish everything you needed or wanted to? Yeah, me too! SO, what do you do about it? Here are are 10 productivity tips that have helped my business game!
1. Wake up early & go to bed early.
I used to stay up super late trying to get projects done & then wake up late the next day. This causes you to get started later in the day, which causes you to stay up late again. It’s not a healthy routine. I’ve learned that when I go to bed early & get up early, I get more done AND I still have plenty of time for the other important things in my life - like taking care of myself, spending time with friends & family, & anything that is NOT related to work.
2. Eliminate distractions.
If something that you are doing is keeping you from staying on task, find a way to cut it out or work around it. Cut off the tv. Put your phone away. Work alone. Usually the only thing I will turn on in the background is music or a podcast, if anything at all.
3. Make a list of your tasks & assign degrees of urgency to them.
Making a list gives you a visual of what needs to be done & a tangible way to see that it’s checked off once the task is completed.
4. Learn when to say “yes” and when to say “no.”
I’ve struggled with this one more than any of these. There will be opportunities you should take and some that you shouldn’t. Sometimes you might be saying “no” to some really good opportunities. First, ask yourself what is the motive for doing or not doing it. Second, ask yourself if it’s going to steal the energy you are investing into other things you are working on.
5. Make time for breaks & make time for days off.
Taking small breaks between tasks can be so helpful. Your brain & your body needs time to be refreshed. It’s also important to make time for days off. There have been times when I’ve had a day that I could take off and I chose to work instead. That lead to burnout. I deceived myself into believing that if I took a day off, I would frustrate or disappoint someone because a I didn’t get something done. At times, that may be the case, but it’s more important that they get the best of me instead of the remnants.
6. Keep your space tidy.
Cluttered spaces can affect the way you process information & even the way you feel. That can be physical clutter or even digital clutter. Keep only what you need in the space in which you are working.
7. Focus on quality over quantity.
It’s not always about how much you can get done, but HOW you get it done. Give as much as you can to one or a couple of tasks at a time. Doing too much at once can spread you thin.
8. Be consistent.
Consistency in your productivity takes intentionality & discipline. It’s not easy, but it’s rewarding. I have to remind myself of what it was like to be in those places where I was exhausted, behind, & stressed to the max. I don’t like to be there & I don’t want to live that way. You’ve got to keep on keeping on. Don’t make room for excuses.
9. Change up your environment (for my creatives, business owners, & entrepreneurs that may do work from home or office).
If you work from home or office, but have flexibility in working from somewhere else - do it. Go to a coffee shop, library, the park, etc. Some of my best inspiration comes from when I get outside of my norm.
10. Deal with your stress & make self-care an important part of your day.
Exercise, eat good meals, drink water, ask for help. This is where it all really begins & ends.
XO, Dakota