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Productivity Tips That Actually Work

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Sometimes it’s hard to kick yourself into gear. Everybody experiences it, but it’s how we snap out of it that makes the real difference. If you’re struggling to be as productive as you know you can be, then try these techniques to trick your brain into getting some work done. You might find some that work so well for you that you’ll build them into your everyday routine.

Walk Before Work

A walk before work can really help to clear your mind
A walk before work can really help to clear your mind

This is a super simple solution to productivity that works best in combination with the next two techniques that we mention. Many of us are starved of time outdoors and a lot of us don’t get enough exercise. Taking a walk outside for as little as twenty minutes before work can make a huge impact on your day, Healthline talks about all of the benefits here. Not only does walking in nature boost serotonin, the act of walking often helps us to think. Don’t listen to a podcast, call a friend or check your emails, just take twenty minutes to yourself to be alone with your thoughts. Think about whatever you’d like, even if it is work related. Quite often, while you’re walking, you’ll come up with a solution to that problem that you’ve been dwelling on and even if you don’t, you’ll arrive at work feeling awake, refreshed and ready to start the day.

The Pomodoro Technique

A famous productivity technique that is far too often misunderstood is the Pomodoro technique. This technique involves working solidly for around 20 minutes and then breaking for 5. Some of us will need to start off by working for 10 or 15 initially, as believe it or not, in an age where social media prevails, we have reduced attention spans, more suited to TikTok videos, than solid productive work hours. There’s no shame in starting at the 10-minute mark and in fact you’ll be surprised at what you can achieve. The main things to remember is during your period of productivity you cannot let anything distract you. Set your mind to one task alone, and ‘work’ is not a specific enough task. Start by writing a to-do list and tick off one thing at a time on that list. While you’re working, don’t answer emails, don’t drink anything, don’t even speak to your colleagues; those allotted minutes are for working on the task at hand. Once you’ve finished them, reward yourself with a break.

Your break, too, isn’t for talking to colleagues, or answering emails; your break is genuine recess. You could grab yourself a coffee, have a flick through social media, or play a game if that’s what helps your brain to relax. Some people find that quick play games are the most helpful way to unwind, as they’re fun and they slot neatly into those five minute breaks. If you want to find somewhere to play quickly then casinoreviews has, as the name suggests, reviewed hundreds of online casinos that offer games which are quick to learn and even quicker to play. You could fill your five minutes with roulette, while making the most of a competitive sign-up deal, or you could lose yourself in a game of slots, after snagging some free spins. If that’s not your thing, then chess sites, or Sudoku can be a great alternative. These sorts of games keep your brain sharp, but give you that needed chance to pause and refresh, ready for your next intense focus session.

Making Lists Makes You Happy

Whether it’s sticking to your New Year’s resolution, as TheApopkaVoice wrote about, or sticking to your goals for the day, there’s real proof that making lists can not only help you achieve your goals, but will also make you happy in the process. Our brains our wired to produce dopamine when we successfully achieve a goal, therefore, the more goals you achieve, the ‘happier’ you will feel. A good way of making yourself absolutely aware of your goals is by writing a to-do list either in the evening after work, or before the day’s work in the morning. As well as activating your dopamine centers in the brain, you’ll also be setting yourself up better for a day of productivity.

Once you’ve got into the habit of writing your list, start to categorize things depending on how important they are. Rank the three most important things with an A, followed by a B and lastly a C for the least important. Tackle the A ranked items first and you’ll see yourself steam through far more work and achieve greater results than if you began with the C ranked items.

How can I be more productive? What are easy tips to try to get things done? Business, Tasks, Mental Health, Walk, Take a Break, Write Lists

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