Many of us wish that we could be more productive throughout the day. I know that I’m always looking for ways to be more productive, whether it’s getting my morning started on the right foot or whether it’s making sure I work when I feel most productive.
If you are trying to figure out how you can be more productive, here are 5 strategies to help you hack your personal productivity:
1. Figure Out When You Work Best
The first thing to do is determine when you work best. I’ve started working in bursts, when I feel most productive and interested in getting things done.
Pay attention to when you do your best work. We all hear stories about entrepreneurs who get up ridiculously early and accomplish so much. The reality is that not all of us are morning people. Some of us like mornings, while others actually work well in the afternoon, and others are night owls.
Acknowledge when you work best and arrange your schedule so that you focus on your work during those times. You’ll be more effective and get more done.
2. Could Music Help Your Personal Productivity?
I love having music playing while I work. I find that silence is more distracting than anything else. Others, though, find that they need silence to work efficiently. Figure out whether or not music can hep you along.
Even though my playlist includes everything from jazz to 1990s hip-hop to classical to heavy metal, there are times when I need extra focus. When I have writer’s block or am struggling especially, I specifically turn to baroque and romantic classical music, without words, to get the juice flowing.
Figure out what music (if any) helps you focus in specific situations so you can move forward.
3. Find Apps That Work for You
I know entrepreneurs who use apps like Rescue Time to help them identify tasks that are sucking their productivity. Others use apps that block them from social media in order to reduce the distractions in their lives.
Figure out if there are apps that can work for you in order to help you stay on track. And don’t feel like you have to use something just because it works for someone else.
4. Set Up Your Environment
You might be surprised at how your personal productivity can be impacted by your environment. I find that I’m more productive when I work in my home office. It’s set up to help me focus on writing. Sometimes, though, I work better when I’m in a comfy chair
Sometimes, though, I work better when I’m in a comfy chair. These are times when I write something personal or for an extra project. It makes it easier for me to get into the right mindset for personal writing.
Identify the types of work you do, and which environments help you manage that work best. You’ll be able to move forward more effectively.
5. Don’t Force Yourself to Use Tools You Don’t Like
There are all sorts of personal productivity tools out there. You don’t have to use something just because it works for someone else. Instead, figure out what works for you and focus on those tools.
The Pomodoro technique works really well for me, although I modify it a little bit to match my own preferences. You can take something like interval work and change the intervals so they match your needs. You don’t need to be rigid.
I also find that most project management tools don’t work well for me. I don’t force myself to use these tools because it only frustrates. Find the tools that work for you, and don’t force yourself into something that isn’t effect for you.
