Everything You Need to Know About Productivity

Some days you don’t want to get up, get out of bed, and get things done. It’s alright to take a day or two to yourself and escape life for a while. However, life doesn’t stop for anyone, so it’s important to know how to work when you don’t feel like being productive. The following tips will help you be productive on your worst days:

1. Write a list: The key to productivity is having goals or a checklist with tasks you want to accomplish that day. Make a list with all the things you realistically think you can complete within a time frame (for example a day, a week, or a month). Scheduling time slots for each task will keep you on track. Don’t worry about scheduling everything perfectly and allow for wiggle room, as other errands and distractions will come up as your day or week convenes. Make sure to check off your list as you go. Doing so will help you feel more accomplished and give you a boost of confidence and energy to complete the next task.
    
2. Have someone hold you accountable: Sometimes we need someone to help us stay focused. Having a friend, family member, or coworker to remind you of your goals is extremely helpful. For example, if you know you want to run in the morning, but you have trouble waking up, you can ask a friend to call you to help you rise. Motivation needs to come from within, but sometimes social pressure pushes us to start or complete a task. Having an accountability coach is a source of moral support. You can also set an alarm or reminder on your phone if you don’t have someone who can offer that support.
    
3. Start small: Frequently, goals are difficult to start working on because we see the big picture first, and it’s overwhelming. We often don’t start to work on our goals because of this fact. Instead of trying to complete something all at once, break up the task into smaller parts. Every time you complete part of it, you’ll feel more productive. As you work on all the parts of the project, the project will start to come together. One step at a time is fine.
    
4. Phoning it in is better than not trying: We live in a world where perfection is highly valued. Sometimes perfectionism is what is holding you back from starting to work. If you’re feeling undermotivated, try doing anything related to the task. Don’t worry about completing all of it or doing a perfect job. Do your best, and try to have fun. Any progress is good progress.
    
5. Make it a game: If you find that your work is understimulating or chore-like, try making a game out of it. Set a timer and see how quickly you can finish a task, or compete with yourself to see if you can improve your work each time you complete a portion. For example, if you are folding laundry, see if you can improve your technique each time you fold a new piece of clothing. Listening to fun music and dancing while you work is another way to add fun to boring errands.
    
6. Work smart not hard: Working hard is usually equated to being productive, but that is not always the case. If the dread of difficult work makes you shy away from starting, try changing your perspective on the task at hand. Look at the work from all angles and decide what the best plan of attack is. More often than not there is an easier or faster way to get things done. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Ultimately your goals are your responsibility, but that doesn’t mean you can’t ask for assistance. Sharing the labor makes work go by faster, and helps you reserve energy for other goals.
    
7. Take small breaks: There is no shame in taking a break if you simply can’t motivate yourself to work. The key is to not break so long that you want to stop. Schedule breaks in between tasks, and make sure the break is pleasurable, as well as restful. For example, if you’ve been cooped up inside working on paperwork, take a walk outside and get some fresh air. Breaks are restorative and very helpful with productivity.
    
8. Just start: The most difficult part of working when you don’t want to is that you have to start somewhere. Life success is only achieved by those who do. Remember in the long run that a short amount of discomfort could lead to a lifetime of happiness, all it takes is getting started.

At the end of the day, what really matters is what you personally want to achieve. You set yourself up for failure if you never try. Often times a negative mindset is the only thing holding you back. Remember why you are working hard, and do your best. So, with these tips in mind: ready, set, go!