Ways to Boost Productivity

Hustle more, hack your life, etc. Social media is home to many a shallow quote telling you to do more. The real question is: how? How can you get more done? Well, my dear reader, I’m glad you asked. Let’s look at five ways to boost productivity.

Photo by Andreas Klassen on Unsplash
A man is on his phone, looking at the wall which has the word productivity written on it with various images around it (i.e. arrows, hearts, a blank check list, a bullseye, and what looks like a blank resume).

Prioritize and plan your tasks

Lists are super helpful. Prioritize your day’s agenda by urgency and importance. You’ll see that listing out your tasks minimize anxiety and help keep you on track. Being able to tick things off the list will also motivate you as you make your way through your tasks.

Break it down

Just like with your finances, milestones are important for everyday tasks. Take your big-picture goal and break it down into smaller, more quantifiable tasks. This is a great way to recognize your progress and stay motivated toward your end game.

Eliminate distractions

This is easily one of the biggest ways to boost productivity. While it feels counterintuitive today, you’d be surprised how much could be done with your phone on silent or at least out of arms reach. I talked about practicing presence in a previous article and the concept works just as well here. Give yourself the space to really get into what you’re working on and you’ll see a higher level of efficiency and quality.

A scenic view of a mountain range from a wooden balcony. Trees are seen in the foreground just beyond the guard rail of the balcony. Clicking on the picture links to the article Avoid the Burnout and Take the Break.

Take regular breaks

Yes, one of the key ways to boost productivity is taking time to not be productive. I know, but hear me out. Humans are simply not built to grind out work 24/7. Regular breaks give you time to recharge and refocus, keeping the quality level of your work high. So, give yourself time to stretch, grab a snack, or read a chapter or two from your new book/comic/manga. You’ll likely find you’re ready to hit the ground running when you get back to work.

Practice the Pomodoro Technique

To build off the previous point, we come to the Pomodoro Technique. First, no, I didn’t know this existed before writing this either. Second, let’s get into what it actually is. Basically, you work in short, focused bursts followed by short breaks. So, set a timer for 25 minutes and grind out that work. Once the timer goes off, you take a 5-minute break. Rinse and repeat four times. If your task isn’t completed by then, take a 15-30 minute break at the end of the 25-minute timer. This cycle helps prevent burnout and gives your brain a chance to maintain a higher energy level instead of getting fried by a 4-hour work binge.

There we go! Five ways to boost productivity that are likely way easier than you thought they’d be. Remember, it’s about working smarter, not harder. Keep your energy up, stay focused, and don’t be afraid to take a break so you can come back to your work with a clearer head.

Kenneth Medford III

Writer, rhymer, gamer: the easiest way to define the man known as Kenneth Medford. I’m a simple man who loves to learn and loves to help and I wander the digital world trying to find ways to sate my hunger for both. Basically, I’m Galactus but helpful.

Check out my other work here or reach out to me on LinkedIn.