We can always be more productive, more energetic, and more focused. Having a plan and practicing daily management is key to optimising your productivity and winning every day.
The following is adapted from The 4 Keys.
We can always be more productive, more energetic, and more focused. Having a plan and practicing daily management is key to optimising your productivity and winning every day.
Fortunately, there are eight simple tips you can follow to increase your productivity that will leave you feeling empowered rather than drained:
Identify Your Productivity Style
The way you schedule your day and attack productivity may be affected by the type of person you are. You may be process-driven, results-driven, consensus-driven, or image-driven, and the corresponding traits can help you in some cases and hold you back in others when it comes to managing your schedule for maximum productivity and goal management.
Whether you’re motivated by concern about how you appear to others or purely focused on achieving results, a procrastinator who spends too much time on process without taking any action or is so reflective that you’re stuck in the moment or is mostly concerned with the impact you have on other people, your style may or may not serve you.
Set Small Business Goals
Each of The 4 Keys—business, body, relationships, and mindset—plays a role in your productivity. For your business goal, you can start your day by learning something new that’s in line with your vision for your work. Listen to a podcast, read a post, write a blog, or create a video.
Stay in Shape
For your body key, get your heart rate up early in the day. Whether you’re training for a triathlon and you need to practise high-intensity endurance training, you’re brand new to trying to get in shape, or you’re somewhere in the middle, find the training that works for you.
It could be 20 minutes in the gym or on a run, or it could be a five- or ten-minute high-intensity interval training (HIIT) session. If you have a stationary bike, hop on for five or ten minutes and get your heart pounding before you jump in the shower. All the research shows that getting your heart rate up in the morning is good for your cognitive function and your mental health, as well as the physical benefits. Don’t forget nutrition too. Make sure you eat a healthful breakfast to fuel your body properly for the day ahead.
Maintain Your Relationships
Healthy relationships make you feel more secure and supported, which in turn can help you be more productive. You can hit the relationship key by being present with your partner and children. Be thankful and loving towards them and let them know how much you value them. Pitch in and do your fair share regarding housework and parenting. Send your loved one an early morning text or leave a note to let them know you’re thinking of them.
Keep a Balanced Mindset
For your mindset key, get into your calm, pregame state. Spend five minutes or longer deep-breathing or try a five-minute meditation – whatever works for you. Be aware of what causes you stress too. If a certain part of your commute causes a lot of frustration, see if there’s another route you can take. It may take longer to get to the office, but leaving a few minutes earlier each day may be worth it if you arrive in a calmer state of mind. Get calm, clear, focused, and mentally prepared to face your daily challenges.
Develop a Routine
We’re all different, so develop a routine you can stick to that fits your lifestyle. Once this routine becomes habit, you’ll do it automatically. Try it for 21 days and you’ll see it gets easier as it becomes habitual, and you’ll also start seeing the benefits. If you hold on to the idea of hitting your four keys daily, you will move forward. If you take care of the days, the years will take care of themselves.
Work Within Productivity Periods
Chunking your day into ‘periods’ helps you stay organised, makes it easier to stay on task with your objectives, and increases your productivity. I split my day into four periods. Period 1 is pre-8 a.m. During this time, hit at least one of The 4 Keys before you leave the house and then follow through with the rest of your morning routine.
Period 2 is 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. This and Period 3 comprise the prenoon chunks when you should focus on non-urgent tasks.
Period 3 is 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and, like Period 2, is reserved for important but non-urgent activities. This is where the hard work is.
Period 4 is noon onward. During this time, you need to identify what things you need to do, and by what time. Period 4 is reserved for urgent tasks that have to be completed. It’s also for those things you really enjoy doing or get the biggest sense of achievement from.
Add Apps to Your Toolkit
Productivity apps are great. I used Minimalist for writing my book, following the Pomodoro method. Evernote, Asana, and Basecamp are useful project-management apps, particularly if you’re working collaboratively. They help keep you and your team on task and your projects well organised. For personal productivity, there are a range of apps that can help, like those that let you chunk your time into 90-minute intervals, or the 25/5 Pomodoro method, which involves working for 25 minutes, then taking a five-minute break.
By working these tips into your daily routine, you can enjoy a productivity boost with little extra stress.
For more advice on career performance, you can find The 4 Keys on Amazon.
Andrew Sillitoe is a business psychologist, author, and speaker. His innovative approach to leadership and work-life balance has earned him invitations to work with a range of global companies, including Pfizer, Nationwide, Virgin, and the BBC. Today Andrew runs the UK’s number-one training company for entrepreneurs and business owners who want to succeed in business, health, relationships, and mindset.
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