10 Ways to Work Smarter and Increase Productivity

Becoming more productive, especially while working from home, requires planning, scheduling, and paying close attention to the impact of the actions you take. After all, productivity is not about being busy, it’s about getting stuff done.

Before you set up a new schedule for increased productivity, it’s essential that you figure out where you’re wasting your time first. Start keeping track of the activities you do, including the time it takes, and the effect of the action.

Systemize & Automate

Note the tasks that you do that can be automated using technology or other resources to get them done. The rest of the tasks you do yourself create a system to get them done faster and more effectively.

My team loves using Zapier and the Asana integration in their Gmail inboxes. Both allow for automation, that makes our team more productive.

Create Routines and Develop Habits

For many things you do, you’ll do more of it if you make it a part of your everyday routine so that it becomes a habit. Whether it’s unloading the dishwasher every morning first thing, or taking an after-dinner walk, these are the things you’ll stick to long term.

Batch Actions

Take a look at your list of tasks and put like things with like things or location-dependent things together.

For example, if you know you must have client meetings weekly or bi-weekly, batching them all in one day can allow for productivity the rest of the week.

Say “No” More

You don’t have to do everything for everyone. You can say no. Before saying yes, always look at your schedule and your goals. Does the task reflect your values or get you closer to your goals?

Set Deadlines

Even if they are self-imposed, setting deadlines for the things you want to accomplish helps ensure that they get done promptly. For example, if you’ve set a goal that you want to walk 10,000 steps a day, you may set a deadline that by a date in the future you’ll have worked your way up to walking 10,000 steps every day by increasing your steps each day.

Stop Multitasking

No one can do two things at once that require conscious thought. Not convinced? Set up a no multitasking rule for the next thirty days, and you’ll be shocked at how much faster you are.

Prioritize Based on Impact

As you set your to-do list, look at the impact the action provides toward your goals. Focus on the effects so that what you do the most accomplishes the most.

Include Rest & Breaks in Schedules

Don’t over-schedule yourself. You might think that means you’re getting more done, but everyone needs to have a balanced life as they can.

Celebrate Success

When you achieve a goal that you’ve set, always celebrate your achievements. The more you experience the feeling of success the more you’ll want to repeat it.

If you want to get more done by working smarter, not harder, while increasing your productivity, it all starts with setting clear goals tied to actions that create the most impact toward reaching that goal. That way you can avoid doing things just for the feeling of being productive and really get to the point that you get things done.