Be the most productive person you know


Productivity increases your efficiency. Your ability to be productive and efficient is vital for a sustainable and successful life style. Being productive is not limited to any age group or any other demographic factor. Whoever you may be and whatever your occupation is, the advantages of being productive apply to all indifferently. Hence, it is important to have a general idea of how to be a productive individual.

What does being Productive mean?

Before heading on to the topic of ‘How to be Productive’, you should understand what ‘Being Productive’ means. Being productive broadly means managing your time efficiently and effectively. Within the scope of efficient work that produces effective results, there are many factors that affect your productivity and many outcomes too. Real productivity of an individual focuses on ‘Sustainability’ of it and not strained and stressful productivity.
‘Sustainable Productivity’ is the healthiest approach to achieve productivity in your life. This is because it is important that an individual maintains a healthy life in order to improve his/her overall productivity. Working under an excessively stressful routine will ultimately strain your physical and mental health, which will result in the deterioration of your overall health. When your health declines it is quite difficult to continue being productive in the long-run. Therefore, you should target achieving ‘Sustainable Productivity’.

How to be Productive?

There are numerous ways of being productive. It cannot be limited to a number of steps. How an individual becomes productive differs from person to person. A basic fact that you must understand is that humans are very different from one another, hence their methods of being productive depends on their personalities. Therefore, here is what you must initially focus on;

1.     Understand your Personality 

Knowing your personality is the most basic step towards a productive life. Without knowing that, it would be difficult to find out which methods would increase your productivity. Whether you successfully becomes a productive individual depends upon how well you understand your personality. Therefore, dedicate some time to discover your personality.

2.     Think why you want to be Productive

Sit down for a moment and think as to why exactly you want to be productive. Find the purpose behind it. This is the drive towards your goal. The stronger your purpose and drive is the more determined you will be in achieving your target. Think for whose sake you want to be productive; is it for your sake or someone else like your family, wife, child or parents. This depends on how clearly you have set your priorities in life. Therefore, take a moment to decide why and for whom you want to be a productive person as this will be your driving force. 

3.     Set your priorities straight

This is one of the foremost requirements that you should focus on. Your priorities are the building blocks of your targets. Unless you put the right one in the right spot the journey towards your goal will not be smooth. In other words, straight priorities provide a strong foundation to become a productive person. In order to set your priorities straight you need to understand your personality well. Identifying your priorities will help you to manage your time, as this will aid you to distribute the right amount of time for all your chores. 

4.     Jot down the tasks to be completed

This is the simplest, old fashioned yet most effective way to recall your tasks. Use a light note book or sticky notes or anything similar for this purpose. This trick is most effective when you note down the particular task as when you get it. That way you will not forget it. It is best to use one small piece of paper for each task, as this enables you to detach the particular note when you accomplish that task. It also avoids over crowding of notes which otherwise might have negative psychological effects like stress. Remember to include all the specific details regarding that particular task on the note itself, such as the deadline. This way you will not lose track of your work.

5.     Maintain a moderate Span of Work sessions

It is advisable not to over work your brain. Over working beyond your capacity might reduce your efficiency. There is no use of being productive while your work is less efficient or inefficient. Therefore, it is important that you maintain an average span of work time, depending on your personal capabilities. This will also help you be more focused and not get bored of your work. 

6.     Have intervals after every session of Work

Your mind and body needs to relax. After very work session have about an hour or half an hour break. Take a walk outside, enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, have a short nap or anything else that helps you relax. 

7.     Inculcate Positive thinking

Positive thinking affects us immensely. Simply, it helps you to be happy and boosts all your capabilities. A happy person with boosted energy will undoubtedly be productive.  

8.     Being Independent

Simply, it is better to be independent than dependent. Being dependent limits the lengths you can reach out to. This is because you may have to consider many things before you do it in order to avoid conflicts between you and who you depend on. This limits your freedom and thus, your efficiency. Therefore, be independent and reach out to furthest point that you can.

9.     Make space for Healthy Competition 

It’s alright to be a little competitive with your co-workers. This is called ‘Healthy Competition’ because it promotes collective efficiency throughout a particular work environment. Hence, maintaining a healthy competition with your colleagues will make you more productive while increasing the efficiency of your work. 

10.  Take on Challenges 

On the one hand, challenges will keep you active and boost the drive you have towards achieving your targets. On the other hand, once you successfully accomplish the challenge it will boost your personal satisfaction, which in turn will help you maintain a positive attitude about yourself. Challenges also promote healthy competition. Therefore, it will increase your productivity.

11.  Note down one’s Goals & Aspirations

Everyone must have certain aspirations in their lives. Whatever be your target in life, write it down in big bold letters and have it on the walls of your room. Every morning you will wake up to see that, which will push you towards achieving that goal.  

12.  Avoid Procrastination

Procrastination is the worst foe of Productivity. No one can help you with avoiding procrastination. The answers for this issue lie within you. You must be determined not to postpone anything come what may. You must maintain a motivation strong enough to defeat this terrible habit of procrastination. 

13.  Pay attention to one’s Health

Your health is the most important factor of your productivity. Some basic factors that will help you maintain your health are; sleeping at least 6-8 hours a day, exercise, meditate, eat healthy, avoid junk food and drink plenty of water. 

14.  Happiness & Enjoyment

Take some time off your work and invest it in doing anything that makes you happy. Spend time with your family and friends, engage in religious activities, go for a movie, go for a stroll and breathe in the fresh air and simply anything that you enjoying doing.  Do not spend your whole life working, dedicate some time for yourself. 

15.  Mental Health

Your mental well-being is vital in maintaining your health and overall life. Meditation and listening to relaxing music are simple ways of relaxing your mind which will enhance your mental health. The healthier your mind is the more productive you can be.

16.  Positive Reinforcement 

Once you accomplish a task treat yourself with something that makes you happy. It may be a chocolate, some television time, a dinner outing or even a nap. Better yet, if you manage to complete all the tasks in a given month, then treat yourself with anything you like; buy a book you like to read, clothes or accessories. This will keep you motivated and happy.

17.  Do not lose Hope

Last but not least, do not lose hope if you fail to complete the scheduled tasks. Continue to be determined to perform better next time. This is not limited to tasks only, it applies to both competitions and challenges that you will face. Be strong and do not let yourself down. Believe in the quote “failures are the pillars of success.”

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