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We hear a lot about productivity and how it\u2019s one of the \u201csecrets\u201d to success.<\/p>\n
After all, productivity is the basis of working smarter, not just harder (though working hard is certainly an important quality to embrace). This drive and mindset helps to complete projects or reach milestones within optimal timeframes.<\/p>\n
And being productive is not just about spending less time on tasks\u2014it\u2019s more about maximizing the time you are occupying in a more valuable way. In doing so, you\u2019re able to avoid jamming hurried work into a specified amount of time, and instead produce good work.<\/p>\n
Productivity is definitely a hot topic in our society, especially since the introduction of modern technology. With all of our devices, notifications, and access to content, it\u2019s easier than ever to give in to distractions that take your focus away from a particular task.<\/p>\n
Even if you adhere to deadlines most of the time, it\u2019s still helpful to take an audit of your productivity levels (or lack thereof) and put a process in place to improve them.<\/p>\n
[content_upgrade cu_id=”415″]Free Download: 5 Tips to Boost Productivity<\/strong>[content_upgrade_button]Click Here[\/content_upgrade_button][\/content_upgrade]<\/p>\n Feeling rushed or unfocused creates stress, which develops into a dangerous cycle of anxiety and dread that just further delivers negative blows to our productivity.<\/p>\n It\u2019s critical to be truthful regarding your work habits, instead of just sweeping concerns under the rug to be handled \u201cnext week\u201d or at another future time. Or, worse, just lying to yourself about your level of productivity to begin with!<\/p>\n It\u2019s common to hear people say, \u201cI do my best work under pressure.\u201d Though that may possibly seem true in some instances, the truth is that the worry of a looming deadline likely kicked their butts into overdrive just in time. However, if they learn how to be more productive in less-stressful moments, their work (and work-life balance) could greatly benefit.<\/p>\n Do you properly plan for projects and tasks? Even if you get something in on time, do you find that you wait until the eleventh hour to get it done? Do you feel that if you gave yourself more time (or more concentrated time) on a project, that the result would have been better? How distracted do you feel during the day?<\/p>\n These are important questions to ask\u2014be honest when answering.<\/p>\n Trust us, it\u2019s better to ask these questions internally before a misstep causes a supervisor to ask them for you.<\/p>\n But how objective can we be with ourselves? It may be easy to make excuses or allowances for how productive we are during a chunk of time, but the truth is that we need some hard data to back it up.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why tracking time on your devices can be so helpful. It\u2019s not in an effort to shame or punish yourself, but rather to get a clear view of how and where you spend your time. Think about it: It\u2019s going to be pretty hard to make adjustments to your behaviors if you don\u2019t really understand what you\u2019re doing wrong in the first place.<\/p>\n Freelancers know that tracking time is absolutely critical, especially since it is a primary tool for accurately charging clients for work. However, it can be a really insightful resource for anyone, regardless of one\u2019s employment status.<\/p>\n By using software like Timing<\/a>, you don\u2019t even have to add time tracking to your overflowing to-do list. By automatically tracking all the time spent on your Mac, Timing helps you get an ordered view of the time you are spending on websites, within apps, and even working in documents or spreadsheets\u2014without you having to do anything on your end.<\/p>\n Now, in order to get the most out of a time tracking program, it is a smart idea to invest some time upfront to properly organize your projects and tasks. You can also go into the Timing app and manually add activities (say a phone call, or an in-person meeting), to make sure your reporting is as accurate as possible.<\/p>\n All together, this will eliminate the need to wonder where you\u2019re spending all your time when you should be dialed into a project\u2014it\u2019s all right there at your fingertips!<\/p>\n Once you have a grasp on your productivity, you might be able to decipher some areas of weakness. Perhaps you scroll aimlessly on social media a little longer than necessary, or you get caught up on certain tasks that are needed to move onto the next step of a project.<\/p>\n Whatever the case, look at these problem areas as opportunities\u2014the times or activities you can examine and work on to bump up your productivity.<\/p>\nLook at your problem areas as opportunities\u2014the times or activities you can examine and work on to bump up your productivity. <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span>\n Below we dive into some ways that you can tackle these extended moments of stalled work.<\/p>\n This might seem obvious but procrastination and lower levels of productivity go hand in hand. But sometimes it\u2019s freeing to realize that the first step of a project may be the hardest.<\/p>\n Especially when we feel overwhelmed about a task\u2014whether about the timeline in which we have to complete it, the amount of brain energy it\u2019s going to consume, or even doubting our ability to do it well.<\/p>\n Fear is one of the biggest motivators in life, and in this case it can cause us to put off to tomorrow what can be done today. All of the other tips below will help you to avoid procrastination, but also just the comprehension of why you might be delaying something can help you overcome it.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re not excited to dig into a project, ask why\u2014you may find that the solution is clearer (and easier) than you think.<\/p>\n Jumping right in may help you get going, but having an overwhelming amount of work or a project with many hurdles or changes in direction can be extremely frustrating. These are the times when we tend to throw up our hands and say, \u201cI\u2019m not doing this.\u201d<\/p>\n In order to keep your momentum consistent, you need to stay motivated.<\/p>\n A good trick? Take whatever you have in front of you and turn it into many smaller steps. For example, instead of putting a general project on your to-do list (such as [client name] website, or write blog article on X topic), it can be helpful to break it down into bite-sized pieces.<\/p>\n You likely know the steps involved, so use that knowledge to write a list of achievable tasks. It may be a longer list, but you will find yourself feeling motivated and more confident as you cross each item off.<\/p>\n If you follow our blog then chances are you\u2019ve already been schooled on the importance of taking breaks during the day. Just check out one of our recent articles, The Benefits of Daily Work Breaks<\/a>.<\/p>\nUnderstanding Your Productivity<\/h2>\n
Ask Questions<\/h3>\n
Time Tracking<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nHow to Increase Your Productivity<\/h2>\n
Avoiding Procrastination<\/h3>\n
Staying Motivated<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nTaking Breaks<\/h3>\n