7 easy steps to be more productive
Downing coffee and making endless to-do lists getting you nowhere? LIZ CONNOR delves into the golden rules of getting things done
ADMIT it, being around the most productive person you know can be pretty exhausting... Watching them scroll through an inbox of categorised mail while explaining the side project they’ve launched can be dispiriting – if you’re the type of person that never seems able to get things done.
With the distractions of digital devices and increasing workloads, taking control of our time can feel like a never-ending battle.
So why do some people just seem to have a knack of using their days so well?
Contrary to what you might think, being productive is about working smarter, not harder, and making the most of your time. Now that January’s here – along with sobriety and quiet weekends – there’s never been a better time to streamline your life and make progress on personal projects.
Here, experts share their top wellbeing, nutrition and work tips for making this year your most productive yet...
MAKE A ‘TO-BE’ LIST
LIST-MAKING is generally a disheartening business. You start off with good intentions, but by the time you’ve added up everything you need to do, you’re overwhelmed. Isn’t it just easier to watch Netflix?
Carina Lawson, founder of wellbeing planner Ponderlily (Ponderlily.com), suggests chalking up an alternative ‘to-be’ list. “These lists are all about the end goal, and what you need to do to get there,” she says.
“Write down the things you want to achieve in the long-term, whether that’s penning your own novel or being more adventurous.
“Once the list is done, pin it up somewhere where you can easily see it and be reminded of it.”
DECLUTTER YOUR HOME
CLUTTER can have a negative psychological effect and there’s often a huge relief and satisfaction of letting go of non-essential items that are taking up space.
“Look at the items you own and ask yourself if you’ve used each one in the last eight months,” says life coach Jennifer Boon (booncoaching. com). “If you haven’t, consider whether you will use it in the future. If the answer is no, donate it to charity or friends.”
Your kitchen cupboards can also benefit from a refresh. “Finding an amazing organic recipe and then not having any of the staple ingredients for it is a classic scenario in my household,” says Sasha Sabapathy, founder of holistic remedy brand Glow Bar.
“My fiancee and I have decided to dedicate time this month to stocking our pantry with nuts, grains and superfoods like Chinese red dates and black wild rice. A few hours on a Saturday spent doing this will save us countless trips to the shops every time we decide to make something new.”
EAT FOR YOUR BRAIN
“I’M a huge believer that you are what you eat,” says Sasha. “For a super–productive 2018, I’m making sure my diet is full of brain-boosting super foods.
“Foods high in healthy fats, like salmon, avocado and coconut oil, are amazing for brain health, as well as dark green vegetables like Tuscan kale, broccoli and Swiss chard. “Certain herbs, like Rhodiola, Ashwagandha and Holy Basil, are all also amazing for boosting brain health and productivity.”
Make sure you’re not skipping breakfast. “When we’re asleep, our bodies adapt to a state of fasting, which means, when we wake up in the morning, it is very important to refuel,” says Rhiannon Lambert, nutritionist and author of Re-Nourish: A Simple Way To Eat Well (£18.99, Hodder & Stoughton).
“Without breakfast, your brain and body are effectively running on an empty tank.”
SOCIAL MEDIA DETOX
THE average person spends at least one hour and 40 minutes per day looking at social media sites and apps .
“Taking some time away from technology is the perfect way to start the New Year on a productive note, while also making more time for personal connections,” says Sasha.
“Make time to spend with loved ones and away from social media, and make sure you are without your phone for at least an hour before bed.
“I think this is something we should all do more often.
“Rather than cutting out food groups, or trying to go vegan this January, why not give yourself some time back by having a total blackout from app notificiations?”
EMBRACE A ‘DEEP WORKING’
JANUARY is a great time to get stuck into a personal project. If you struggle to find the motivation to get started, the key could be to embrace a ‘deep work’ state.
“The idea comes from professor and author Cal Newport’s book Deep Work: Rules For Focused Success In A Distracted World (£14.99, Piaktus),” says Matt Searle, head of employer relations at Henley Business School Careers (henley.ac.uk).
“This is scheduled, focused work with no distractions: no phone calls, no social media, no checking the news and nobody interrupting. It’s a chance to work on your most important projects.”
Matt notes this might mean adjusting your schedule, adding: “Personally, I like to start early and work on things before I even open my email, then I have a clear mind and
Contrary to what you might think, being productive is about working smarter, not harder
an hour or so to crack on with the things that I know are important.”
GET YOUR FINANCES IN ORDER
THE New Year brings a chance to really asses your spending habits too. “Checking your balance every day is a really good habit to get into,” says Anne Boden, CEO of Starling Bank (starlingbank.com).
“Personal finance apps mean you can track your spending and see exactly where your money is going.”
She also suggests making some realistic saving targets to work towards. It will make going to work on cold January days easier if you have an exotic holiday to save for.
KEEP CAREER -FOCUSED
“I’M adamant the best jobs never make it to job boards,” says Benedicta Banga, founder of women’s coaching Leadher Initiative (leadherinitiative.com).
“Some figures quote that more than 80% of roles are never advertised, so don’t wait until you need a job to network. Make a list of the people you would love to build mutually beneficial relationships with, so you can decide how to connect.