the best productivity hacks to get your work done

BY Gino Borlado2 years ago7 MINS READ
article cover

Productivity is the ability to accomplish more in less time. But sometimes, it's easy to get bogged down by the minutiae of tasks you'd rather not spend time on. These productivity hacks will help you get more done and get it done faster.

The best productivity hacks to get your work done are often not the obvious ones. I've scoured the internet to give tips, tricks, and three techniques to get you started being productive.

Why is productivity challenging?

Distractions are everywhere, from social media, emails, the internet, and a quick chat with a colleague to the news. Whether working in an office or remotely at home, it can be challenging to focus on one task for an extended period. The problem? That lost time translates into lost output. This is where productivity hacks come into play. 

When it comes to increasing your productivity, it's all about your abilities and expertise, your self-discipline, and the assistance you receive, such as coaching from your manager or coworkers or even the software (e.g., edworking) or apps you use.

Your experience dictates your pace and output a bit more than anything else. While it is true that an experienced developer can get much more done compared to a newbie, it is also true that they need to manage their time well. You can't just work until you drop. You need to make sure you have enough sleep, eat well, and exercise. However, it takes a great deal of awareness to get more done. Where do you begin?

It all starts with you

1. Make Time For Yourself

Time management is vital when it comes to productivity. Next to your boss, you're the most crucial person in your company. You must show up on time, be productive, and ensure you're meeting your deadlines.

If you're finding it difficult to get your work done, it's likely because you're not making time for yourself. You're too busy working and not spending time with friends, family, and loved ones. Ironically, one of the best productivity hacks is to carve out time for themselves if they want to accomplish more. It's essential to find time to relax and unwind.

On the contrary, if you don't make time for yourself, you'll end up working longer hours and being stressed. Make time for yourself every day. Take a walk, go for a run, read a book, or watch a movie.

2. Track Your Hours

Keeping track of your hours can be beneficial. It allows you to see how much time you spend on each task. You may also track how long it takes you to finish a project.

This allows you to better plan your day. You know the tasks that must be completed and can schedule a time to work on them.

4. Talk to your boss

A good productivity practice is to talk to your boss, as they have the most influence over your job. They can help you get more done and guide you to improve your performance. 

So, whether you are underperforming, overwhelmed, or doing a great job, ask for feedback, and ask them to give you some time to work on a project.

5. Self-Discipline

As with most things, distractions only happen because you allow them. Where you place your focus determines how you perform. To boost your productivity, you need to be disciplined. But with many distractions coming from everywhere, they can be a little challenging to control.

How do you maintain self-discipline? 

  • Prioritize: Make a list of your upcoming chores and focus on them.
  • Set a goal: Set a deadline for each task. This gives you a sense of urgency and the drive to accomplish them. 
  • Create a routine: create a schedule that works for you. This will include getting up early, eating breakfast, taking a shower, and so on.
  • Set boundaries: You will lose focus if you constantly check email, social media, other sites, and even other collaboration software you use. So, turn off your phone and limit your time on social media during these crucial focus hours.
  • Delegate: If you have a team that can handle menial or routine tasks, delegate them.
  • Reward yourself: If you meet your goals, reward yourself. This could be a small gift, a night out with friends, or whatever you like.

Dealing with procrastination

Procrastination is the enemy of productivity. So, you need to stop it before it stops you. If you find yourself procrastinating, then you need to take action. Here are some tips to help you get started:

  • Start with one task: When you tend to procrastinate, counter this by starting with just one task. This will keep you focused.
  • Break big tasks into smaller ones: If you are procrastinating, break down big tasks into manageable chunks and tick them off your task list.
  • Set a deadline: Give yourself a deadline to complete a task.
  • Use technology: Use technology to help you get started. For example, you can use a timer to help you stick to your schedule and use apps or software that can help you boost productivity.
  • Get organized: If you're not organized, you will procrastinate. So, create an efficient system to manage your tasks.

There are many productivity techniques out there that can help. These techniques are used and proven to work by many.

1. The Pomodoro Technique

Francesco Cirillo created this technique in the 1980s. The idea behind it is to break down large tasks into smaller ones. 

"Pomodoro" means tomato in Italian. Cirillo used a tomato timer to measure his 25-minute work sessions. The benefit of this technique is that it helps the worker maintain the balance between getting information and absorbing it. 

In this technique, you work on a particular task (or a group of smaller jobs) for 25 minutes, then take a break for 5 minutes after completing the task. If you have completed 4 of the 25-minute tasks, you can take a more extended 15-20-minute break.

In short, 25 minutes of work plus a 5-minute break equals ONE POMODORO. Group them if you have two to three tasks you can complete in under 10 minutes. 

2. The Pareto Principle 

The Pareto Principle is a simple way to improve your productivity. It is based on the premise that 80% of your activities should be focused on 20% of your tasks. This principle can be applied in any area of life, not just productivity. If you can break down the tasks you need to do into smaller, more manageable chunks, you will see that you can achieve more in less time.

The 80/20 rule (or Pareto Principle) is a beneficial way to understand how most people spend their time. It's based on the idea that 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes. You can use it to prioritize tasks in your life. When you do this, you'll be able to focus on the most important things and let the rest go. This is one of the best ways to get ahead in your career or business.

3. Eisenhower Matrix

This method helps you create an organized workflow to achieve your goals. The Eisenhower Matrix is designed to help you prioritize your tasks, time, and energy. The Eisenhower matrix is an effective tool for helping you prioritize your work. If you have a project with multiple goals, you can use the matrix to break it down into manageable pieces. Doing so will give you a better sense of how much each task will take and where you need to allocate your time. 

Conclusion

You may be wasting your time and money if you're constantly worried about your productivity. Instead of worrying about it, you should focus on being productive. You need to learn how to manage your time and energy to get ahead.

If you're struggling to stay focused, try some of these techniques. They may help you get more done in less time.

Do you have any other tips on how to improve your productivity? Please share them in the comments below.

Thank you for reading. I hope that you keep learning and growing!

Peace!

article cover
About the Author: Gino Borlado Gino Borlado, a passionate Content Writer hailing from the Philippines, expertly navigates the world of Edworking's blog with the skill of an experienced rider. Driven by his love for both writing and riding, Gino crafts compelling, dynamic articles in English on a daily basis, delivering fresh perspectives to our diverse audience. Adept at task management and project management, Gino successfully juggles multiple projects with ease, ensuring deadlines are met and content remains consistently engaging.
Similar ArticlesSee All Articles
Try EdworkingA new way to work from  anywhere, for everyone for Free!
Sign up Now