3 Tiny Tweaks That Lead to Giant Productivity Leaps
When it comes to being the master of our own time, sometimes we are rock stars, and sometimes we wonder where the heck the days go. But what if there were 3 simple and subtle shifts you could make today that you would drastically reduce your feelings of overwhelm and increase your sense of purpose and effectiveness?
I call that a healthier hustle, and I’m here for it. I’m also cultivating it day in and day out, because healthy habits are just like any other habit - they don’t form overnight.
You don’t have to take on all 3 of these tips to more productive work days at once. Start with one, see how it feels, and if it serves you, make it a conscious choice day in and day out to incorporate it into your routine until it becomes a habit. Good luck, I’m rooting for you!
Time Batch Your Days
If you’re not familiar with the phrase “time batching,” it’s essentially the system of grouping similar tasks together rather than bouncing around from task to task. For example, rather than responding to emails throughout your day, pick a one- or two-hour window to handle responses, then close your inbox and move on to the next group of tasks on your list, like pitching to new clients, bookkeeping, or content creation.
But my favorite way to use this theory is to time batch my days, not just my hours, which takes it a step further by saying on certain days I do certain tasks. For example, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I take meetings with clients, but on Mondays and Wednesdays, I’m in creation mode or serving the role of COO of my business.
Think of this like a zoomed-out version of time batching. Studies show multitasking is counterproductive and requires more brainpower than when we focus on one task at a time. The stop-and-start method is ripe with distractions and distractions are not good for efficiency and productivity. When you time batch your days, you may just catch that momentum wave you’ve been so desperately missing.
Do Your Most Important Tasks Before Lunch
It may seem obvious to do the most important tasks first, but how often do you look at your to-do list and just start trudging through without being mindful of which item is actually the most important? Or maybe you know which task is the most important, but you still skip to the other tasks because they seem easier.
A lot of us fall into this trap, so here’s some cold hard truth: you’ll feel more fulfilled and less stressed if you get down to business and hone in on the most important tasks before lunch.
If you’re using the weekly time batching technique from Tip #1, make sure you reserve room for projects in the mornings, rather than filling up your mornings with meetings.
For example, because I have chunks of time reserved for content creation on Wednesday and Friday mornings, I almost always have time for my big picture projects. And I strategically placed all of my client meetings in the afternoons so that I can spend my mornings doing the work before I potentially get distracted and pulled off course.
Scheduling your priority tasks to take place before lunch also means should an emergency arise, you still have the afternoon to get the task done rather than having to postpone anything to the following day.
Talk to Yourself Differently
If you find yourself thinking, “I have so much to do, how will I possibly get it done?” or “I’m so stressed, I’ll never get it all done,” then guess what? You probably won’t. Focusing on the negative is no way to reach a positive outcome. Instead, catch yourself and reframe the narrative.
“I have to do x, y, and z by Friday. I’ll break the projects down into manageable deadlines. I’ll have everything done by Friday afternoon!” And if that doesn’t work, notice if you need to call in for reinforcement. Can you outsource something? Ask yourself, what are the steps to get the job done, then make a plan and tell yourself you can do it.
The words and phrases you say to yourself create the feelings you have (less stressed vs more stressed, motivated vs defeated). Your feelings impact your reality. You act on your feelings, whether they support you or not, so learning how to make them support you is a key to success.
If you try one of these techniques, share in the comments down below or message me over on Instagram @TiffanyNapper. I love connecting with you and hearing what works for you!
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