Get More Things Done During Your Day

It’s 9 am & you sit down at your desk thinking “I’m feeling good & I’m going to get so much done today!” You begin working & you are ready to be productive, but then a bunch of distractions come your way. Your significant other texts you. Your best friend tags you on a post on Facebook. Before you know it, it’s 12 pm & you haven’t gotten anything that you were planning to get done finished!

Has that ever happened to you? It has happened to me many times. I had to break out of this cycle of telling myself that I was going to get a lot done, but then I never ended up doing anything productive. So I tried a couple of new habits & I have found some of the best productivity hacks to get more things done during my day. Keep reading to learn the productivity hacks.

Productivity Hack #1: Listen to Brain Focus Music

What do you listen to while you are trying to work? Although I love listening to an up-beat playlist or a new song that has been stuck in my head, it sometimes makes me feel distracted. I start thinking about that time I was out dancing with my best friends & then I find myself wanting to look at the photos from our night out or texting them. If I’m listening to a sad song, I’ll start thinking about sad things. Well if you listen to music that helps your brain focus, then you’ll be less likely to get distracted. There are no words & the background music is relaxing. When I listen to it, I find myself feeling like I get into the zone & I’m able to focus on the task in front of me.

Productivity Hack #2: Setting a Specific Time to Finish a Task

Have you ever sat down & think to yourself, “alright I’m going to work on xyz” only to find yourself browsing the internet or doing anything but the task that you were planning to work on? You should try setting a specific time to finish the task. For example, if I am working on my blog, I will tell myself “okay I’m going to write a blog post from 6-7 pm.” Then, I am more likely to finish the blog post during that time because I set a specific time for me to finish it. This works even better if you have plans later. For example, if you have to go out to dinner at 8 pm & you really only have an hour to finish the blog post because you can’t write it later, then you are more likely to finish the blog post.

Productivity Hack #3: Drink Green Tea or Any Form of Caffeine

I always find that I am able to focus more after I’ve drank a cup of coffee or a glass of green tea. It’s like my brain goes into “let’s do this” mode & it really helps me have the energy to finish up my task quickly. If you don’t enjoy caffeine, then drinking a glass of water can also have a similar effect if you are dehydrated. You’re most likely tired because of dehydration & the glass of water will wake you right up.

Productivity Hack #4: Avoid a Big, Heavy Meal

If you are looking to finish a task & get a lot done, I recommend avoiding eating a big, heavy meal. I find myself having the most productive days at work when I eat something light like a salad or a cup of soup. You’re less likely to hit that 3 pm wall & you’re more likely to power through your tasks.

Productivity Hack #5: Plan to Reward Yourself After a Productive Day

Is there an episode of a Netflix show that you are dying to watch? Finish up a task before diving into the show. You’ll feel accomplished & you’ll feel better knowing that you finished your work before watching the Netflix show. You’re also more likely to finish the task because you really want to watch the show. Now this only works if you have self-discipline. Don’t give up & watch the Netflix show half way through your task. Only watch it once you are finished!

Productivity Hack #6: Implement Habits that Will Help You Achieve Your Goals

I know that I feel more in the mood to get things done after I go to the gym. Therefore, I try to go to the gym before work or after work so that I feel motivated to be productive. I’m more likely to be productive after work if I go to the gym so I am starting to make going to the gym a habit. If there is a certain task that you know makes you feel more productive such as listening to certain music or waking up early, then implement that task into your daily life so that it will become a habit & you will find yourself feeling more productive.

Productivity Hack #7: Put Your Phone on Do Not Disturb

If you know you are someone who is constantly getting distracted by texts, then turn your phone off or put it on do not disturb. Do not even let yourself have the chance to be distracted by text message. Also how good will it feel once you finished your task & you reward yourself with being able to check your phone?

Productivity Hack #8: Print Out A Quote That Inspires You or Set It As Your Phone Background

I used to have a background on my phone that said, “Get it Done” in a beautiful font. Whenever I looked at my phone I was reminded that I needed to be productive today. If I was having a bad day, I looked at my phone & I remembered that I have tasks that need to be finished. I stopped thinking those negative thoughts & I focused on what needed to be finished.

Productivity Hack #9: Don’t Forget To Take Care of Yourself

If I finish a bunch of tasks & I start feeling the beginning stages of being burnt out, I take the time to take a break & I take care of myself. This allows me to feel refreshed & feel ready to tackle my to-do list on the next day. If you are feeling tired, then allow yourself to rest. Have you ever worked so hard that you ended up getting sick? Work hard, play hard is a motto for a reason. Don’t forget to take care of yourself.

Productivity Hack #10: Spend Time Reflecting on Your Goals

Remember to remind yourself of your “why.” Why are you working so hard? Why are you being productive right now? Are you trying to get a promotion at your job so that you can make more money & go on that dream vacation that you’ve been dreaming of? Sometimes we don’t want to be productive because it seems like a lot of work, but why are you putting in the work? Thinking about your “why” might be what is needed to light a fire under your booty & make you start being more productive.

What are your favorite productivity hacks? Leave a comment below!