Maximize Your Productivity with This 5-Step Process
It's already dark outside.
You worked a lot today but you still feel overwhelmed. The to-do list doesn't seem to end and everything seems important.
You try to get some more done, but fatigue and laziness are tough opponents.
Social media is always a click away, and it gets harder when you have to do things you don't like.
So you organize yourself to work longer.
But is this the right solution?
Losing sight of your priorities?
When submerged by a never-ending flow of tasks, it's easy to react in one of two ways: you either try to get it all done, or you focus on easy tasks that bring you a quick feeling of accomplishment once completed.
But easy tasks don't really push your projects forward. And trying to get it all done stresses you and damages your health.
That's why being more productive is not about sleeping less and drinking more coffee. It's about identifying the important tasks and having the drive to accomplish them.
Let's see how you can build this clarity and motivation.
1 - Have an inspiring long term vision
The first step to boosting your productivity is to have an inspiring long-term vision.
So picture what you would like to be doing 10 or 20 years from now. Make it big, daring and inspiring.
What would you love to become? What would be your perfect lifestyle? Who would you help?
When creating this professional purpose, don't be distracted by the new trends or what you "should" do.
Make it yours and make it cool. This vision will serve as your compass and keep your short-term goals aligned.
2 - Identify the most important short-term goal
Your long-term vision can't tell you what to accomplish today, so it's important to set smaller goals that are aligned with your big vision but closer in time. For example, set 90-day goals that are within your grasp, practical, and can be broken into tasks.
To identify your short-term goal, think about what you need to do to achieve your long-term vision. For example, if your inspiring vision is to become a leader in your company, your short-term goal can be to support the project that your boss values the most.
If your inspiring vision is to make a comfortable income remotely, your short-term goal can be to put an online course together.
3 - Identify the most important tasks of the day
Not all tasks are created equal, so it's important to identify the most important ones that will get you closer to your short-term goal. Once completed, these tasks make other tasks less urgent or even useless.
To make this process easier, list your important tasks the day before. The next morning, you can start right away knowing what to focus on.
Getting an important task done also releases dopamine, which motivates you to do more.
Sometimes you can even reach a flow state where time flies and you get a lot of the right things done.
4 - Create "Important tasks" time slots
To boost your productivity, you need to protect your time for important work. Make a habit of cutting yourself off from all communication channels every day for a couple of hours.
It takes energy to make decisions, and we have a limited amount of it every day. Creating habits will save you lots of energy, and your colleagues will get used to leaving you alone.
When you work on important tasks, link them to your long-term vision. This will give you the confidence that you're moving in the right direction.
The discipline of doing deep work is becoming more and more valuable as fewer people do it, so this habit will give you a competitive edge.
5 - Watch your energy level
To me, my energy level is what matters most. If it's low, I can't work on meaningful tasks anymore and I feel pretty useless.
So I prioritize working on my important tasks when I know my energy level is high - usually mornings.
Don't multitask, it doesn't work. It costs you time and energy to adapt to the new task, so batch tasks instead.
For example, you can batch most of your phone calls the same day.
Remember, being more productive doesn't mean working longer hours or sacrificing your well-being. It's about working smarter, focusing on what matters most, and finding ways to optimize your energy levels. By following this process, you'll be able to maximize your productivity and achieve your goals, while also maintaining a healthy work-life balance, which is key.
It’s a marathon , not a sprint.
So take a moment to visualize your long-term vision, identify your most important short-term goal and prioritize your tasks accordingly.
Create a schedule that allows you to focus on your most important work, and above all, be mindful of your energy levels throughout the day.
Adjust your environment when necessary and set up habits to make the whole process easier.
With a little discipline and determination, you can accomplish great things and live the life you've always dreamed of.
You got this.
PS: If you’d like to set up a system to organize your weekly goals (with a reward and penalty system to spice it up), I can become your accountability partner.
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