Below, I’m sharing my five super productivity tips. You may have heard them all before, but they really are fundamental productivity methods.
These are the five things that helped me graduate university, while juggling two kids and a third pregnancy, and running a couple of businesses, and starting a couple of businesses.
So if you’re juggling lots at the moment, I hope these productivity hacks help you use your time more wisely and take the time that you do have more seriously.
1. You’re loose without a list
Before you yawn. I just want to tell you, that I’m actually only telling you this because it’s an absolute must do.
I absolutely love hanging out with my family. So that means that I don’t stuff around on the laptop. I get in there and I get it done.
How do I get in there and get it done? I make lists, all day of what I’m supposed to be doing. Without it I’M LOOSE. I’m bouncing from one task to the next, half finishing that task, because I remember to do another task and then I rush to do another task before I forget = I’m loose, I’m all over the place. There’s really no getting around it. If you want to get things done, make a list. Before the day starts.
2. Work backwards 4 Productivity (schedule it)
Schedule locked in times. What can’t you move?
When do you need to be ready by?
If I have to be out of the house at 8.00am, then I start to work backwards. My usual rule is be ready 30 minutes before the LEAVE time (which equals about 100% less stress than the alternative).
So if I have to leave at 8am that means we have to be fully ready at 7.30am, which means I have to get up at 6.00am. And ultimately that means I have a totally non-rushed, non-frazzled, non-frantic, non-flustered morning. Simple as that. If you want that, you get up earlier. Full stop.
3. Purpose-fueled productivity
Productivity has a purpose for me. When I’m in front of my computer, I need to know the objective of flipping my laptop lid.
If I’m not doing what I’m intending to do, it is not purpose-fueled productivity.
When I’m unproductive, I feel like I’m cheating. I take it seriously, that is time away from my family.
4. Pomodoro for productivity
This is how I do tasks that I don’t like. I set the timer for 25 minutes and I go all out and get it done in those 25 minutes. Especially for email and Facebook.
I set the time for 25 minutes (sprint) – followed by five minutes break (rest) — and then another 25 minutes work – and five minutes break. Continue.
5. Wellness for productivity
I have three things that I do to stop me feeling weathered (and looking weathered) and keep my brain keep working well.
WATER: I believe you should drink way more water than recommended. If I’m dehydrated my brain shuts down.
EXERCISE: Move your body – I love to walk and that’s about it, but that’s enough for me.
EAT: Eat (good stuff) every three hours (I know I need to balance blood sugar – I get cranky otherwise)