Looking for some quick fixes to be more productive? Look no further - here are 10 simple ways you can be as productive as the most productive people you know!
1. MEDITATION
Meditating a few minutes each day can help clear your head, reduce stress, and keep you grounded. No training is required - just sit in a quiet place and focus on your breathing for 2, 5 or 10 minutes to get started. I started with 2 minutes in 2013 and now I'm up to 5 minutes a day! When extraneous thoughts enter your mind, simply let them drift away without judgement and come back to focusing on your breath.
2. REGULAR EXERCISE
It can be very hard to set aside the time, but exercise is a great way to stay healthy and provides a nice endorphin release. Try scheduling it into your day a few days a week on a recurring basis. Even if you have to sometimes cancel your workout for something more important, having it in your calendar means you are more likely to do it!
3. EMAIL MANAGEMENT
Resist the urge to check your email constantly; set aside a few times each day to process your email to maximize productivity. A study at the University of British Columbia showed that checking email less frequently reduces stress and you save as much as 20% of the time it takes to process your inbox.
4. POSITIVE OUTLOOK
Maintaining a positive attitude has more to do with success than your IQ. According to Shawn Achor, if you operate with a 'positive' brain, you will be 30% more productive than if you work on brain neutral or negative.
5. FEWER MEETINGS
To save time, keep meetings short and avoid unnecessary meetings. Keep in mind that sit-dowm meetings take 33% longer, on average, than stand-up meetings. You might also want to consider a walking meeting (said to be preferred by Mark Zuckerberg and Richard Branson.)
6. TIME BLOCKING
Setting aside blocks of time in your calendar makes it easier to concentrate on difficult tasks.
7. BATCHING TASKS
Batching similar activities (emails, phone calls, etc.) makes it easier on your brain by reducing the switching between different types of tasks.
8. TURNING OFF NOTIFICATIONS
Email notifications (the little box that floats in and out or the ding when you receive a new email) has the effect on your brain as if you've been up for 36 hours straight or as if your IQ dropped by 10 points. This is true, even if you do not click on it to look at the email. Your brain has been distracted from its focus.
9. AVOID MULTITASKING
Focusing on one (and only one) task at a time will result in better work in less time with fewer errors and less stress.
10. PLANNING
At the end of each day, spend 10 minutes reviewing your to-do list and prioritizing what is most important. Then, use your calendar to schedule times at which you can work on your most important tasks. This will help you re-focus on what is critical and enable you to sleep better at night. If you show up at the office the next morning, and priorities have changed, you will be in a better position to be flexible and adjust your schedule.
Hi, I'm Sharon Danzger and I founded Control Chaos in 2006. As a productivity consultant, I provide group training and individual coaching.
My diverse background in financial services, non-profits, and small business enables me to offer a unique perspective on finding efficiency and balance. I tailor my approach to be industry specific and culturally focused based on my actual work and client experience.
I spent the early part of my career in financial services working for The Prudential Insurance Company of America. I spent time in a variety of areas including commercial real estate, underwriting, corporate social responsibility, and group insurance.
My work with non-profits has ranged from leadership development, governance, and training to financial analysis and oversight of an $18 MM budget.
I hold a BS in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and an MS in Real Estate from New York University. I am also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) and a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU).
I have earned a Certificate of Study in Chronic Disorganization from the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD). Recently I completed Monash University's "Mindfulness for Wellbeing and Peak Performance," University of Virginia Darden School's "Fundamentals of Project Planning and Management," University of Pennsylvania Wharton School's "Contagious," and University of Michigan's "Inspiring and Motivating Individuals." I am a lifelong learner and am always looking for ways to learn and grow.