Declutter Your Life to Maximize Your Time
Time is a precious commodity so it’s important to maximize your effectiveness to reach your professional goals. But how do you do this when life has you pulled in so many directions? Take a look at the top three tips that will help you avoid multi-tasking and work on decluttering your life. The results will maximize productivity and minimize distractions so you can accomplish your goals!
Tip #1 – Start your day with a clear focus of what you want to accomplish.
Schedule your day the night before so that you can establish an action plan. It’s important to be realistic – focus on the top three – high priority, most important - tasks you want to accomplish. It’s recommended that you tackle the most pressing or biggest task first. Making progress on your larger task items will help you feel less overwhelmed. A key component of establishing a clear focus is to organize your time so that you are working on just one thing for a set amount of time. Cut out any anything unnecessary that might suck time away from the task at hand.
Tip #2 – Minimize distractions.
Are you someone who has your phone nearby and can hear a buzz or sound with every incoming email or message? If so, it’s time to put it away…at least for a set amount of time. Establish time in your daily routine for checking and responding to email and stick to it. This helps you focus on the task at hand knowing that you will have time later to check and return email and phone messages. Another tip is to create a designated workspace that is free from clutter. Remember, clutter-free is key! Keep imminent distractions at bay for the best chance to focus on your work and task at hand.
Tip #3 – Give yourself a break.
Taking effective breaks help increase your productivity. In fact, studies show that productivity starts to decline after 52 minutes, so taking a break for 17 minutes might help you refresh, reset, and refocus. Treating your productivity in sprints instead of a marathon can incorporate effective breaks and supplies a burst of readiness when you get back to work. Keep in mind, the break should not include checking social media, making notes for an upcoming meeting, or catching up on email. Instead, you should take a break from your computer or phone and get your body moving. Walk around outside for a few minutes, drink water, eat a healthy snack or even take a few minutes to catch up with a co-worker. If you feel like 17 minutes is too long of a break, start by taking just five or ten. You’ll be surprised how a small break can have a major impact!
Try these actionable steps and you should start seeing positive changes. By decluttering your schedule and mind, you will find your productivity increase dramatically. For additional details on the tips shared, visit: https://www.themuse.com/advice/the-rule-of-52-and-17-its-random-but-it-ups-your-productivity)
Nancy Moore’s professional background includes job recruiting, public relations, and teaching business classes for Tulsa Community College. She is passionate about sharing the successes and obstacles that contribute to other’s stories through her Sharing Passion and Purpose Podcast on all major podcasting platforms. Connect on Instagram and Facebook @sharingpassionandpurpose and online at https://sharingpassionandpurpose.com.
