Ten ways to boost motivation and productivity

 

It is easy to have a ‘busy’ day at work. Have lots of meetings, send a few emails, start a few documents or projects, and before you know it the day is done.

 

All of that doesn’t necessarily mean you have been productive. Have you moved that big project forward or finished a task that has been bugging you for a while?

 

Productivity can sometimes include doing things that might not seem productive at all. Like having time to think, taking breaks and ensuring what you do is focused on the goals of your team and organisation.

 

Finding ways to focus our attention on the things that matter can help move us from busy to productive. The tips and ideas below will help you be more productive at work and beyond.

 

 

Tools and tricks to boost motivation and productivity

 

Some of the things in the list below might not seem like the most obvious place to start, but if you want to move from busy to productive, these ideas will help.

 

 

Rest

 

It might seem counterintuitive, but often when we are really struggling with a task and getting stressed, taking time away from our computers and having a rest can give us some perspective, and the energy to come back and focus.

 

There are many kinds of rest. Learning to understand what you might need can help. It could be that you need time away from the computer and other digital screens. It could be that you need time to be creative. Or it could be time with people who bring you energy and restore you could really help.

 

 

Move

 

You don’t need to run a marathon to experience the benefits of exercise. A short walk to take a phone call or on your lunch break can help build our energy throughout the day.

 

Research by Velotric shows that morning exercisers were 129% more likely to feel productive. Try walking to the next tube or train stop to get more morning exercise in.

 

It is important to make sure you regularly step away from your screen throughout the day. Looking into the distance every 20 minutes for about 20 seconds can help prevent eye strain and headaches.

 

 

Eat the frog

 

The term ‘eat the frog’ means getting the tricky, uncomfortable thing out the way first. There is often something that stays on our to do list for days and we keep putting it off. This could be for a variety of reasons that are often in our head rather than reality. Getting the annoying task out the way first can give us a boost to continue being productive the rest of the day.

 

If you aren’t sure what your frog is, then try breaking down your to do list into four lists.

• Things you don’t want to do but need to do (your frogs!)
• Things you want to do and need to do
• Things you want to do, but don’t need to do
• Things you don’t need to do and don’t want to do

Anything in the bottom list just get rid of, everything else you can prioritise using this structure.

 

 

Get new ideas out of your head

 

We can often get distracted from the task at hand by shiny new ideas and conversations. Get these ideas out of your head by having a notebook or spreadsheet open and ready to add any interesting thoughts down. Then move them out of your head and focus on the task in front of you.

 

 

Power Hour or Power 15

 

If you have a bigger goal or project that you keep putting off but want to move forward, focusing on it for just 15 minutes or one hour a day can really help move things forward.

 

It could be that you want to write a book, have an idea for a new event or project, or maybe you just need to put aside time each day to engage on social media.

 

What is something you could do for a small amount of time daily? You will quickly see a project develop after spending just a few minutes a day on it.

 

 

Batching

 

Grouping similar tasks together can help move through a number of tasks quickly. It could be you batch by the type of tasks, for example, doing your emails at two set times each day, rather than getting distracted all day long by emails coming through. It could be batching phone calls, so you could do them all on a walk, or grouping together things that are to be done in the office and you need quick face to face conversations about.

 

Batching together personal tasks to be done on your lunch break can give you a hit of dopamine too and feel like you are ticking lots off your to do list.

 

 

Pomodoro

 

The pomodoro method is a simple but super effective productivity tool. Pick a task, set a timer for 25 minutes to work on that task, at the end of the time take a five-minute rest and then start again.

 

There are pomodoro apps or timers online you can use, or just set any alarm or timer. They work even better when you do them with other people to hold each other accountable. Make sure you just focus on one task for each 25-minute slot.

 

 

Get outside

 

There are so many benefits to getting outside in nature. It can help improve our mental health, manage our stress and boost creativity. When we are struggling with work, stepping away from the computer can seem counter intuitive, but going for a walk outside in nature will help inspire or de-stress you for when you return to your desk.

 

 

Believe in yourself

 

When we are struggling to get things done it is important to look into why this might be. It may be that you need additional support or understanding to know how to do it, or it could be that you need a confidence boost.

 

You likely already have the skills you need to get something done, you just need to believe in yourself. Keep a note of previous positive feedback and successes to go back to when you are lacking confidence or listen to an inspiring or motivating podcast.

 

 

Be kind to yourself

 

Though having a productive day can make us feel better, research shows that happy people are ultimately more productive. So before anything else, focus on being kind to yourself.

 

Celebrate what you have accomplished rather than focusing on what is still to be done, believe in yourself and find ways to look after your own mental health first.

 

Which of these tips are you going to put into practice today?