How to be more productive - tips you can use right now.

When you run your own business, good productivity can be the difference between success and failure. So much of the onus is on you to work efficiently to get things done. But that is easier said than done. You need to know how to be more productive, but you want tips that you can put in place now. Not ones that take a long time to prove their worth.

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This article explores a host of quick wins in the form of productivity tips. You will be able to finish this article and then put some or all of them into action immediately.

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Whether you feel like you never properly complete a task without attempting to take on at least two others or you get to the end of the day and still have the lion’s share of your to-do list left unticked, this article will help you achieve more and even save you some time.

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What is Productivity?

Productivity is the measure of how much you produce in a certain period. You can use productivity as a metric to measure how effective your business is. For example, if your factory produces 10,000 biscuits a working day and then you implement some measures to improve productivity, you might find you produce 15,000 biscuits in the same timeframe and with the same number of employees. In this case, you have increased your productivity.

For small, office-based or service businesses, measuring productivity isn’t quite as simple. But the principle is the same. You attempt to get more done in the same, or an even shorter, timeframe.

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Tips on How to Be More Productive

Productivity Desk Setup

The first step to working more efficiently is to find the ideal productivity desk setup. A clutter-free desk, equipped with ample storage solutions and organisational tools helps you approach work with a clear mind, minimising distractions.

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Position the desk to take advantage of natural light while minimising screen glare, which will reduce tiredness when working. It is also worth investing in proper ergonomic furniture to keep you comfortable and healthy. ?

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Additionally, having two screens helps you work more effectively, being able to see the whole picture, rather than breaking your focus by having to minimise and maximise windows every few seconds.

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Of course, the perfect productivity desk setup depends on your individual needs and your business, but it is worth spending time ensuring you get rid of distractions and place the things you need close at hand.

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Use a Productivity Planner

Another crucial element of how to be more productive is by utilising your time as effectively as possible. And a productivity planner plays a key role in this mission. It is a powerful strategy for enhancing time management and encouraging a proactive approach to daily tasks.

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On a diary, calendar or online form, create sections to outline your priorities for the day , week, month and year, then schedule time blocks for specific activities. You can also have a section to record your progress and gain an overview on where you stand.

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The productivity planner helps you break down goals into manageable, actionable steps. By setting specific and measurable objectives, you can effectively prioritise tasks, allocate appropriate time for each activity and track your progress throughout the day.

It also helps you feel that sense of achievement when you hit your daily deadlines.

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The Pomodoro Technique

Do you work better when there is a deadline looming? A lot of us do and there is a good reason for it. When you have an open task, there is no urgency to knuckle down and complete it. This leaves you more open to distractions, sometimes work-related and sometimes not.

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As an entrepreneur, much of your work will not come with a tight deadline. Admin, chasing up leads, working on your website or social media. They are all important jobs that need completing, but often it is not like there is a hard end date on when you need to deliver.

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This is where the Pomodoro technique comes in. You set a timer for 25 minutes and then work intensely until it goes off. You then take a five-minute break before launching into another 25 minutes of work.??

The idea is that you are conscious that you add some urgency to your work. You only have 25 minutes until you stop. This focuses you on the task at hand, reducing your opportunities for distraction. You are also less tempted to check your phone, for example, as you know that you will have a five-minute break soon to scroll through Instagram whilst you have a cup of tea.

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The Two-Minute Rule

Another example of how to be more productive is to implement the two-minute rule. This targets those small tasks that sometimes distract you in the middle of doing something bigger.?

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If it really is a small job and you can complete it and tick it off quickly, that’s fine. But often we launch into things that take us away from the momentum we had with the larger task.

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The two-minute rule requires that you look at every little job that comes in and make a judgement. If you can complete it in less than two minutes, then you are fine to break off and do it. If it takes any longer, forget about it and add it to your to-do list for another time.

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Completing tasks releases endorphins that make us feel good. So taking on and completing tiny jobs in less than two minutes is great for us. If they take much longer then you end up with multiple part-completed tasks and that can increase stress levels.

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Break Tasks Up Into Their Components

Following on from the point about endorphins, breaking your tasks up into easier wins will help make everything seem more achievable and bring you joy.

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Rather than setting yourself a task named simply ‘social media’ , break it into steps such as ‘research social media calendar’, ‘write captions’, ‘create graphics’ and ‘schedule socials’. It is the same job, but you reach those triumphant completion moments more quickly.

It can seem like a slog when the task at hand is too large and that demotivates you and leaves you more open to distraction. When you know completing a task is an achievable distance away, you are more focused on it. Although the work involved is the same, you might find that you complete it more quickly, as you are more focused on each stage.

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Detach and Reattach

Small business owners and entrepreneurs are naturally married to their work and that is understandable. However, it can also be to the detriment of productivity. If you never switch off, you can grow resentful of your business and worn down by the tasks at hand.

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Being able to detach at the end of the day and reattach in the morning allows you to feel like you are something other than a business owner. It helps you rest, indulge in self-care and refresh yourself before launching back into work the next day. Work should be an enjoyable part of your life and the way to keep it that way is to step away for at least a few hours every day.

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This mindset will mean that you return to your desk ready and revitalised, rather than jaded. It is easier to handle pressure and stress when you are rested too. As a supporter of Mind, the mental health charity , we are keen to promote this attitude to work. You have to look after your mental health for your own good as well as for your productivity at work.

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Need Help With Productivity?

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Although it is good to detach from work, many small business owners feel guilty doing so. This is why outsourcing tasks to a virtual assistant is key. If you are wondering how to be more productive when you are taking time away from your desk, the answer is to allow a VA to look after those tasks that don’t need you specifically to complete them and which might otherwise skew your work-life balance. Book a free consultation now to find out how we can help.?