You may ask yourself, why does this matter to me? The better question to ask oneself would be, what can I gain by working on my productivity?
In our fast-paced world, mastering productivity is critical to unlocking your full potential, whether related to small changes in your life or career. As a Career and Performance coach, my clients experience a rise in energy levels and a change in their mindset from having the little things in life taken care of. Enhancing your productivity is essential in everything we do, from setting agendas and accomplishing project success to creating a vision for the future.
Let me share some actionable steps to empower you to embrace opportunities and drive progress in your professional journey. Let’s dive in!
Productivity essentials
- Define Your Goals:
Start by clearly defining your short-term and long-term goals. This clarity will serve as your compass, guiding you through decision-making and keeping you focused on what truly matters.
Words of wisdom: If you are lost when identifying the goals that matter most for you, then create a ‘bucket list’ of everything your heart desires. Then, work towards narrowing it down by asking yourself why each one is important. By providing three reasons or whys, you will know which of these goals are essential for you at that moment in time.
- Prioritize Tasks Effectively:
Not all tasks are created equal. Identify your high-priority tasks and tackle them during your peak productivity hours. This strategic approach ensures you’re investing your energy where it matters most.
Words of wisdom: Ask yourself and identify the times when you are most productive. Schedule your high-priority tasks during these hours.
- Create a Daily Routine:
Establishing a consistent daily routine can significantly enhance your productivity. Plan your day, allocate time blocks for specific activities, and be disciplined in following your schedule. This routine will create a structured environment for success.
Words of wisdom: Schedule time blocks on your calendar to help these tasks become a reality and allocate the necessary time for each one.
- Harness the Power of Mindfulness:
Incorporate mindfulness techniques into your daily routine. Consider meditation, deep breathing exercises, or short breaks to clear your mind. These practices will enhance focus, reduce stress, and boost overall well-being.
Words of wisdom: Take regular breaks away from your desk and from work. Try a walk in nature. Practice breathing techniques to boost the parasympathetic nervous system to help calm down any emerging stress.
- Embrace the 2-Minute Rule:
If a task takes less than two minutes, do it immediately. This simple rule helps clear small, manageable tasks quickly, preventing them from accumulating and becoming overwhelming.
Words of wisdom: Use a one-touch technique for a task, and if you can do it within one to two minutes, then clear it or put it away. Gretchin Rubin states, ‘if a task can be completed in one minute or less, it should be done immediately, like washing a dish, answering an email or picking up a few things on the floor’.
- Leverage Technology Wisely:
Utilise productivity tools and apps to streamline your work. From task management apps to time-tracking tools, technology can be a valuable ally in optimising your efficiency and staying organized.
Words of wisdom: Use a Pomodoro timer to set 30-minute productivity sessions. 25 minutes are your productive minutes in which you focus on a task and that task alone. 5-minutes are for getting up out of your chair, stretching your legs and taking a break. Apps or Online timers are available, as well as battery-powered tools. If you want to know more, let me know, and I’ll send you a couple of options. I have two timers!
- Cultivate a Growth Mindset:
Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. Develop a mindset that views setbacks as lessons, not failures. This shift in perspective will empower you to overcome obstacles and continuously evolve in your career.
Words of wisdom: Learn from your mistakes, challenges, and hurdles. Use each opportunity to learn and grow.
- Celebrate Your Strengths:
Identify and celebrate your strengths. Acknowledging what you excel at boosts confidence and allows you to leverage these strengths strategically in your career pursuits.
Words of wisdom: Identifying where your strengths lie is a great tool. Better than this is realising and naming your superpower. This is the strength that you use daily to energise you. It produces the results you desire. I know mine, but do you know yours? Coaching has helped me to unlock my Superpower strength.
- Continuous Learning:
Stay curious and committed to learning. Whether acquiring new skills, staying updated on industry trends, or seeking professional development opportunities, continuous learning keeps you adaptable and ahead of the curve.
Words of wisdom: By staying ahead of the curve, you make progress easier to accomplish and confidence comes across in meetings, conversations, and your work.
- Build a Support System:
Surround yourself with a supportive network. Whether it’s mentors, colleagues, or fellow professionals, having a strong support system provides encouragement, guidance, and a shared sense of accomplishment.
Words of wisdom: This is essential for the soul. A sense of belonging and the ability to call on others for help, support, and encouragement will help you stay on track and accomplish what you desire.
Parting thoughts
Small daily steps have helped me succeed as a business leader, employer, and career coach. They have kept me driven, on track and successfully achieved goals that only lived on my ‘Bucket List’. Some of these small steps include waking up to a stretch and a short Tibetan yoga routine to energise, morning gratitude practice to ground me, Time blocking and the Pomodoro technique to produce effectiveness, evening Journaling and Emotions Journaling followed by meditation to centre and calm me. Five times a week – that is all I expect of myself to ensure a routine is maintained. A Habit tracker helps me here (message me; I would be happy to share what I use).
You may say this is a hefty workload to be done daily. As I matured, I learned to create time for what matters most. Dedicating time to tasks that produce the most benefit for me, my life, and my career has led to great changes in revenue.
Empowering your life and career journey requires intentional actions and a mindset geared towards progress. By implementing these ten steps, you’re enhancing your productivity and paving the way for transformative growth and success in your professional life. Remember, every small step counts on the desired path of achieving your goals. Keep moving forward!
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Yours
Tisha x
Dr Tisha Patel
Career and Performance Coach, NHS GP Director, UK
