Do you feel like there aren’t enough hours in a day? If yes, then you are not alone.
People often complain about long hard productive days at work but hustle to manage other areas of life. This usually frustrates them because there isn’t much time to enjoy everything they desire on a daily basis.
If your to-do list contains neverending tasks that get you overwhelmed, we have good news for you! Fortunately, three very simple hacks can help in conquering your list of things to do and achieve your goal.
Whether in your personal life or professional pursuit, mastering productivity and managing time strategically can help you feel good yourself.
With that in mind, we have pulled together simple productivity hacks you can apply to any area of your life.
Let’s take one step at a time!
Hack 1: Prioritize Your Tasks Effectively
Focus on what is important at the moment. Keeping a sense of priority will save you from getting lost in less important tasks. This is how you can prioritize your work:
- Identify and Understand Your Tasks
You must have heard people say how important it is to identify your task at the beginning of the day. You start by asking yourself:
- Which tasks can move me closer to the goal if I complete them today?
- Which tasks are urgent?
These questions will ensure that you are dedicating your time and energy to what matters the most at the moment.
- The Eisenhower Matrix
The first step towards getting your work done is making a to-do list. However, the problem could be determining what to tackle first when there’s limited time, say just one day?! You can increase your productivity with effective prioritization. This is exactly where the Eisenhower Matrix comes in.
The Eisenhower Matrix helps in differentiating between important and urgent tasks so you can create an easy workflow.
Important tasks are less urgent and do not require immediate attention. However, that doesn’t mean they do not matter. All you need to do is carefully plan out the tasks so you can use your resources efficiently.
Urgent tasks require quick attention, which must be done now or there could be clear consequences. These tasks are unavoidable and the longer you delay the more you face stress, which can sometimes lead to burnout.
Avoid long to-dos and apply the Eisenhower Matrix to schedule your work.
- Limit Your Daily To-Dos
Limit the list of your to-dos as a long list can seem overwhelming. Try to tackle no more than five tasks in a day. Make sure these tasks are your priority tasks. This way you will stay focused and increase your chance of completing your work.
Hack 2: Take Smaller Steps
We mentioned earlier about limiting your tasks—let us explain what needs to be done.
Large daunting tasks can lead to procrastination. So, it is best to break them into smaller, manageable steps to make them easier to complete.
Let’s see how to do that:
- The Chunking Method
How much information do you take in daily? You become a part of discussions, emails, reports, news, and whatnot. The chunking method can be useful here.
The chunking method involves grouping small pieces of information into larger groups. This improves memory and leverages the brain’s capacity to recall bigger information better than tiny bits.
For example, if you are writing a report, you can break it down into:
- Researching the topic
- Creating a layout
- Writing the introduction
- Drafting the main sections
- Editing and proofreading
These smaller steps will lead to a larger chunk of work getting done.
- The Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique improves focus, minimizes distraction, and prevents burnout. This time management technique is fun and easy. Here’s how it works:
- Choose a task you wish to do.
- Set a timer for 25 minutes and work until the timer rings.
- Take a 5-minute break.
- Repeat the task four times and then take a long break of 15 to 30 minutes.
You can use this method to be more productive.
Hack 3: Use Technology Wisely
Using technology can organize your tasks, however, you should use it wisely because it can be both a boon and a bane for your productivity. Here’s how you can go about it:
- Task Management Apps
There are several task management apps, like Asana and Trello to keep all your tasks in one place and track your progress.
- Create task lists and boards
- Create deadlines and reminders
- Use collaborative tools
It’s easier this way to keep things organized.
- Automate Repetitive Tasks
Several tools like Zapier and IFTTT (If This Then That) allow you to automate your tasks. This can eventually help you reduce your mental load and save time on repetitive tasks. You can:
- Send recurring emails
- Update your spreadsheet
- Back up files
This can help you free up time to focus on other important activities.
- Minimize Distraction
As said, technology can be a source of distraction. So, this is how you can resist yourself from getting distracted:
- Block sites.
- Turn off unimportant notifications.
- Set a specific time to check your social media and emails.
If you can control your digital environment, you can easily focus on your to-do list.
Crushing Your Goals
If you are struggling to master your to-do list, implement these three easy hacks outlined in this article. These hacks will help you control your everyday agenda.
By taking these tiny steps and keeping a productive mindset you will be on your way to checking off your to-do list and achieving your goal in no time.
Start getting more done right away!
About Author
Nitya Jain is an enthusiastic content writer and a life-long learner with an undying curiosity to explore new things. She loves fresh humour, just like her tea! When not writing, you'll find her raiding book stores or hopping cafes in town.
