How To Be Productive And Get Stuff Done

Written by Michelle Ong | January 6, 2024 | Productivity

Productivity slumps can slow us down. Uncover the real causes of low productivity and learn simple, effective ways to stay on track.

I used to struggle with productivity like everyone else—caught in the cycle of procrastination and saying “yes” to everything. It left me burned out and dissatisfied. My attempts to get organized were chaotic—goals scribbled on scraps of paper, reminders plastered everywhere, and New Year’s resolutions that never stuck.

My “aha” moment came when I stumbled upon productivity articles and videos. Books became my guides, and their strategies finally helped me upgrade my productivity. I’ve distilled the key principles from various resources into these 6 strategies to boost productivity.

1. Set Precise Goals

The first step to reclaiming productivity is understanding what’s holding it back. Check out this article to dive into the reasons behind the slump. Once you identify the obstacles, you can start crafting a strategy to tackle them head-on.

Starting your productivity journey begins with clear, specific goals. While it might seem unnecessary, clear goals give you direction and help track your progress. For example, compare these two goals:

Example 1: ‘I want to exercise more.’

Example 2: ‘I will run for 30 minutes three times a week to improve my stamina and fitness.’

Notice how the second goal is detailed with a clear plan—type, duration, and purpose. That’s the kind of precision we’re aiming for. Check out this post for a great tool to organize your time and use the goal-setting principles and methods in these articles to structure your goals. Feel free to mix and match methods to find what works best for you.

It’s important not to rush—take your time brainstorming and visualizing your goals. Start broad, then narrow them down and refine as you go. Another tip that I find helpful is using action words. They add clarity and direction, making your goals easier to track and more motivating.

Many think productivity means juggling many goals and multitasking, but it’s really about focusing on a few meaningful ones. Trying to do too much leads to overwhelm and loss of focus. Less is often more—keeping it simple keeps you on track and motivated.

2. Planning

Next, map out your tasks and timelines for each goal to ensure they’re clear and specific. Use established principles like the 80/20 rule to prioritize—focus on the 20% of tasks that will give you 80% of the results. This way, you concentrate on fewer, but more impactful tasks.

Consider tools like the Eisenhower matrix or Covey Time Management Matrix to sort tasks by urgency and importance. This helps you direct your attention to what truly matters, like tackling the most pressing work first before moving on to less urgent tasks. Consider the Domino method, where you tackle smaller tasks first to build momentum toward larger goals. Right-size your tasks, giving them adequate time for execution—quality over quantity is key!

Don’t forget to include buffer time for starting, wrapping up, and unwinding between tasks to avoid burnout. Taking a holistic approach ensures your tasks are manageable and practical.

No plan is perfect—unexpected obstacles will always arise, like a surprise rainstorm on a sunny day. What matters is how you adapt. As Dwight Eisenhower said, “Plans are worthless, but planning is everything.” Focus on progress, stay flexible, and embrace the process to stay prepared and reduce risks.

Check out my related posts for more time management and productivity hacks.

3. Construct Routines

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Now that we’ve set goals and organized tasks, it’s time to build routines and rituals that make progress possible. Consistent routines are essential—they provide structure and turn your goals into daily actions.

Start by dividing your time into quarterly chunks. This 3-month perspective helps align tasks with your larger goals. Then, develop routines for each month, week, and day. This step-by-step approach helps you stay flexible and track your progress effectively.

Embrace technology to keep you on track. Calendar and planner apps are great for setting and sticking to routines. If you want more tips on planning effective routines, check out this post.

Lastly, don’t underestimate the power of a bedtime ritual! Winding down properly at night ensures restful sleep and a refreshed start the next day. It’s a small yet crucial aspect of self-care that significantly boosts productivity. For more tips on improving sleep, unwinding after a busy day, and overall self-care, check out the related posts.

4. Reduce & Remove Distractions

Your environment greatly impacts focus. To boost productivity, create a workspace that minimizes distractions and helps you concentrate.

Respect your time—it’s your most valuable resource. If you say yes to everything, you’ll find yourself overwhelmed and questioning where your hours went. Instead, be selective about your commitments and focus on what truly matters.

Start by removing distractions: put your phone on silent, find a quiet spot, or use background music if that helps. In a shared space, set boundaries or create a “do not disturb” zone. Also, don’t hesitate to say no. Turning down unimportant or last-minute requests allows you to protect your time and stay aligned with your goals. By managing your environment and priorities, you’ll reduce stress and supercharge your productivity.

5. Strengthen Mental Discipline

Developing self-discipline takes consistent effort. Here are some practical ways that I’ve found helpful:

1. Use the 2-Minute Rule: If a task can be done in under two minutes, tackle it immediately. This applies not only to quick tasks but also to bigger ones. Starting with just two minutes often builds the momentum you need to keep going.

2. Apply the 20-Second Rule: Make good habits easier and bad ones harder. For example, keep a book by your bed to encourage nightly reading or store your phone in another room to cut down on social media.

3. Leverage Productivity Methods: Use tools like the Pomodoro Technique, which involves working for 25 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break. This method helps maintain focus and prevents burnout. Combine it with to-do lists to keep track of tasks and enjoy the satisfaction of crossing them off.

4. Embrace Discomfort: Start your day with something challenging, like a quick cold shower or a morning jog. This builds resilience and prepares you for bigger tasks.

5. Fail Forward: View setbacks as learning opportunities. Stay connected to your goals by remembering why they matter and seeking support when needed.

By incorporating these strategies, you’ll minimize procrastination, build discipline and stay focused on what truly matters. purpose

6. Track, Review & Fine-Tune

Our brains are great at coming up with ideas but not always at remembering them, so a solid tracking system is crucial for getting things done.

I’ve discovered that regularly reviewing my tasks keeps everything on track. I set aside time each week, month, or quarter to assess and adjust my plan based on what’s changed. For example, I review my tasks every Sunday to tweak my schedule and ensure it aligns with my goals. By adding new tasks or routines and removing outdated ones, I keep my system adaptive and effective.

Sharing your plan with others, especially those with similar goals, can provide valuable insights and strategies. Just remember to focus on constructive feedback and steer clear of negativity that might dampen your motivation.

Check out the Pinterest pins below for more self-improvement ideas.

Get Started

Follow these 6 strategies, adapt them to fit your needs, and refine your approach over time to boost your productivity. If you’re looking to build a system to achieve your dream life but don’t know where to start, check out this step-by-step blueprint to guide you towards your goals.

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