when working full-time, my days are filled with getting things done. I often find myself waking up at 5:00 am and not going to bed until 11:30 pm or later. when I finally did get in bed, it would take me forever to fall asleep because my mind was still racing from all the things that happened during the day. maybe you can relate? while it's important to get as much done as possible each day, there's also balance that needs to be achieved so we don't burn ourselves out and create habits that don't work for our long-term health and happiness. here are some strategies for increasing productivity without sacrificing your health or happiness in the process:
daily/weekly planning and goal setting
you can't get everything done in a day. setting goals for the week and month is important for making sure that you are focusing on the right things and prioritizing your time. be realistic about what you can achieve, write down your goals and make sure you have the time to achieve them.
breaks
- how to take a break: take regular breaks. it's good to have a routine so that you don't forget to take your breaks. if you're at work, schedule your breaks in advance on your calendar and alert others of them so that they know when to expect less from you. in addition, if possible, try not to work through lunch hour; instead, eat lunch away from the office with co-workers or friends.
- what should I do during my break? take time for yourself! whether it's going for a walk outside or meditating in your cubicle (if it's quiet enough), make sure that you get some time for yourself during your break. make sure that these activities are different from what you do when working—it will keep things fresh and help prevent burnout later on down the road if we're too similar between working and relaxing modes of existence (or vice versa).
- how do I get back to work after taking my break? after taking some time off during the day (whether it's 15 minutes right before lunchtime or an hour after lunch but before 4 pm), come back ready to tackle whatever tasks are next on our list! this will help us avoid feeling sluggish towards productivity because we haven't been doing anything at all while being away from our desks or computers."
get enough sleep and eat healthy
it’s no secret that sleep is important to our overall health and productivity, but how much sleep do you need? according to the National Sleep Foundation, adults between 18 and 64 years old should get seven to nine hours of sleep per night. however, this amount can vary based on your age:
- Children under 3 years old should get 14-17 hours of total rest each day
- Kids ages 4-5 need 11-14 hours of quality rest
- For children 6-12 years old, it's 10-13 hours of quality rest
- Teens 13-18 years old need 8-10 hours each night
workout and don't forget to have fun
you'll be happier, healthier, and more productive. the great thing about exercise is that it doesn't have to be a huge time commitment if you're not ready for that just yet. start with something small—a ten-minute walk at lunch or before bed can make all the difference in your day.
if you're feeling unmotivated or don't know where to start, there are plenty of apps and services that can help:
- the healthy wage app will let you set goals (like losing 10 pounds) and then encourages friends/family members to chip in for those who reach their goals before the deadline (which can be up to 12 weeks). this can be an effective motivator because it gives users something tangible at stake if they fail—and also helps them feel supported by others on their journey toward self-improvement
declutter often, so life is easier to find things you need
decluttering is not about getting rid of things, but about finding the right place to keep them. yes, it can be difficult to part with items that are sentimental or valuable, but you should always ask yourself if they’re bringing value into your life today. if they're not—or if they make it more difficult for you to find what you need—then consider letting go of those items and keeping only what makes the most sense for your lifestyle.
here are some decluttering tips we recommend:
- don't let clutter distract you from getting things done! clutter can be a big distraction in general; all those papers on your desk might make it more difficult for you to focus on work-related tasks. on top of that, clutter can also cause feelings of stress and overwhelm because there's so much stuff around us all the time (even when we don't want there to be). when this happens too often over long periods without any breaks from work or recreation (e.g., weekends), it leads people who experience high levels of stress at work or home environments where things tend towards chaos instead
find a mentor and ask for advice to keep you on track
you don’t have to do it alone. did someone who has the same goals as you, or someone close to your field, ask them for advice? you may find yourself with a mentor in no time.
when it comes to working with people on projects and tasks, there is nothing more helpful than having and receiving feedback. this can be done through mentorship programs, where mentors are assigned to students based on their interests. mentors offer guidance and resources during all stages of the process: research, writing papers or books, editing drafts (to improve grammar), presenting at conferences/publications events/conferences...the list goes on!
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I hope you enjoyed this list of tips for increasing your productivity. there are many other ways to increase productivity and improve your time management skills, but these are some of my favorite techniques that I use every day.
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