For
any small business owner and entrepreneur it often feels
like there are just not enough hours in the day. Maximizing results
in limited time can be quite the feat so here are five solutions to
keep productivity on a roll.
Practice
Mindfulness
If
you're building your business then you may be like me. I'm constantly
on. My mind is spinning with ideas, tasks and projects and this often
leads to stress. According to
Forbes' “A
Guide to Mindfulness At Work” it's toxic emotions like
these that disrupt our work environment. When you're mindful
though you're basically allowing yourself to experience “moment to
moment awareness” without having to take action. There is no
judgement or need for solution.
“When
you are mindful…You become keenly aware of yourself and your
surroundings, but you simply observe these things as they are. You
are aware of your own thoughts and feelings, but you do not react to
them in the way that you would if you were on “autopilot”…By
not labeling or judging the events and circumstances taking place
around you, you are freed from your normal tendency to react to them.
This
type of awareness puts a stop to “destructive patterns, helping you
recognize them before they run rampant. It’s a way of reprogramming
your mind to think in healthier, less stressful, ways.”
Set
Structure and Deadlines
I
ran into an old friend recently and we parted ways with the intention
to meet again. And we did. But we did because we set a date and time.
You can't be productive when by assuming things will get done. Self
imposed deadlines encourage us to manage our time and energy more
effectively. Setting realistic deadlines also helps us to stay
accountable and disciplined while building some structure in our work
day. Meeting a deadline and seeing your work coming to fruition will
definitely leave you with a feeling of accomplishment.
Disconnect
for Success
Are
you constantly looking at your phone? Flipping screens?
Checking your Facebook? It's
time to disconnect. Being constantly connected often
creates a false sense of urgency with things that pop up. It's
impossible to be productive when you're looking
for diversions and spreading your attention to things that don't
matter.
Get
Organized
Reaching
that long term goal is achieved with short term tasks. To find
success our day-to-day actions must be aligned with the bigger
picture. Create a list of tasks, a chart of action and make
appropriate use of your calendar. When and idea or task pops into
your head get it down on paper so that you're not having to
constantly remind yourself not to forget it. In addition to that,
assign times in the day for certain tasks, like
email. Amir Salihefendic, the founder of Doist, a
company that specializes in productivity software suggests the
following:
“I
think email is really a productivity killer. I get hundreds of emails
per day, and I manage this in following way:
- I only check and process email three times a day (morning, noon, and afternoon).
- I answer an email if it will take less than one minute.
- I archive if an email isn't important.
In
other words, "If you're going to open an email, either do
something with it, like respond to it, or delete it, or file it
away." Don't even open an email unless you can process it right
then. That's part of the two-minute rule.
Space
Awareness
Our
surroundings can have a profound effect on our mood and productivity.
Working in a space that is cluttered, dark or confined can cause us
to feel lethargic, distracted and restless. As a mobile trainer I
spend much of my time in my vehicle but each home is a work place.
Setting aside a space with appropriate lighting and room temperature
can have an immediate positive effect. This is also the case for any
office setting or home office. Artificial lighting can be challenging
in a workplace and unfortunately we cant always control that. If
you're in an environment with artificial lighting taking breaks
outdoors can give you the boots you need. In addition to lighting and
room temperature our furniture and the colours in our space can also
effect or mood and productivity. “Ergonomics
are a real issue in today’s typing-heavy work environment. But
ergonomics are not just a safety issue. Studies have found when
a worker is comfortable and safe, that worker is more productive.
When employees sit up straight and type, they think more
clearly and have a higher work output than an employee who sits
slumped over his or her keyboard.Enjoy yourself in good health and fitness, Gena.
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