In this article I’ll share what productivity is, my 7 top productivity strategies and outline more productivity ideas to help you improve productivity at work.
Increasing productivity at work means working smarter, not harder. By using proven strategies you can be more productive at work and achieve more productive results in less time, without the stress.
As a productivity coach I help entrepreneurs and business owners increase productivity at work by using proven time management and productivity strategies. These strategies help my clients manage time effectively and increase their productivity by focusing more time and energy on their biggest strengths and opportunities.
In this article, I’ve selected seven of my best productivity strategies that I use with my productivity coaching clients. By using them, you will boost your productivity at work. These essential productivity strategies will help you achieve the results you want by working more on the activities that deliver the bigger impact and working less on everything else.
When my clients use these tips they increase their productivity and get more done in less time.
Making the most of your time is critical if you want to increase productivity and achieve bigger results. These productivity strategies will help you clarify your goals and create a work environment that removes distractions and amplifies your productivity.
What is productivity?
Let’s start with defining productivity. Productivity means achieving a specific result in the simplest, easiest and most productive way possible. Productivity is our ability to be effective with our time, energy and focus to achieve the result we want.
People believe that productivity is about working longer and harder to achieve that result. This is the opposite of productivity.
Productivity is identifying your most important work and then working consistently and productively to achieve the result you want. Being productive is about understanding there are only a few crucial activities you need to undertake to achieve that result.
Increasing productivity at work, therefore, becomes about focusing your time, energy and focus on those important activities and then working on them until they’re completed, without distractions.
Things to stop doing to be more productive at work
There are a number of things that stop you being productive at work. Here are a few things you should stop doing if you want to be more productive at work.
These are activities my clients stopped doing to become more productive.
- Stop multitasking to increase your productivity
- Stop doing everything yourself
- Not giving themselves enough time
- Stop saying yes to everything
- Stop being a perfectionist to increase productivity
- Doing things they’re not good at
- Not taking time off
- Stop working longer hours
7 productivity strategies to improve productivity at work
Here are 7 productivity strategies to improve productivity at work.
1. Set productivity goals
The key to increasing productivity at work is to set specific, measurable goals. Having exciting, motivating goals simply makes you more productive.
Having productivity goals gets you clear on the results you want to achieve in the future. Setting goals helps you measure your performance and productivity on the crucial activities that really matter to you.
When you have productivity goals you have a clear track to follow which raises energy levels and improves focus. You know exactly where to invest your time, which helps you be more productive.
When you set goals, you focus on your most productive activities. This instantly makes you more productive because you cut out the time draining activities.
Having long-term goals and short-term goals helps you measure performance and productivity. It allows you to focus your time on your most productive work, and helps you track progress.
To set productivity goals, be clear on what results you want you want to achieve by a specific deadline, and then create daily action plans to support that goal achievement.
Further reading on goal setting:
Goal setting: how to set and achieve your goals
The importance of setting measurable goals
2. Plan your days to increase productivity
One of the best productivity strategies you can use to be more productive at work is to plan your days effectively, When you are clear about the results you want to achieve each day you can invest your time on your most productive activities.
Start planning your day by identifying the three most important results you want to achieve. This helps you stay focused, be more productive and stops distraction.
Rather than wasting hours on unproductive tasks, you become clearer on where to invest your time and energy for the most productive results.
Planning your week on a Friday or Sunday ensures you start the week in a productive mindset. Then start each day by spending fifteen minutes identifying your biggest priorities.
Using this simple productivity strategy will ensure you have a productive day, every day.
Use my Free Productivity Mastery Daily Planner to manage your time effectively and make every day a productive day.
3. Create an environment that inspires productivity
We are at our most productive when we feel clear, confident and capable. To be more productive at work create an environment that inspires productivity.
If you want to create a culture of productivity at work create a productive workspace. When you create your ideal work environment it will optimise your productivity and lower distractions.
You can create a work environment that inspires productivity by keeping your desk clear and tidy, reducing distractions and by knowing where everything is.
Improving your work environment results in a better mood, improved focus and increased productivity. Find an environment that works for you to be your most productivity self.
If may take a bit of trial and error, but the results could be transformational.
Further reading:
9 ways to improve focus and concentration
How to stay focused: 10 tips to improve focus
4. Focus on your most important task first
Increased productivity at work starts by identifying, and tackling, your most important task first. When you have specific productivity goals for the day, identify your most important activity and start working on it before anything else.
We are often at our most excited, energised and productive first thing in the morning. So, start the day with your most important and productive work. The productive activity that will create the biggest impact.
If you start working on something first that you dread or bores you, it’ll be easy to get distracted. When you’re distracted things take longer to complete, which is not productive.
Stay focused on your most productive work to produce bigger and better results.
Further reading:
8 time management strategies to manage time effectively
5 ways to leverage time to increase productivity
5. Have a productive to-do list
If you want to increase your productivity at work it’s important to have a productive to-do list. A productive to-do list starts by simplifying your existing to-do list to only your most important activities each day.
Keeping your to-do list short improves your ability to prioritise. It ensures you identify your most important tasks.
If you have too many items on your to-do list, chances are you won’t finish them all. Not completing everything on your to-do list can knock your self-confidence. You will be more productive if you focus on less things.
Instead of just adding items to your to-so list always identify the results your tasks will deliver. If the task doesn’t create a big impact, maybe it shouldn’t be on your to-do list.
Further reading:
7 ways to work smarter, not harder
6 habits of highly productive people
6. Improve productivity with an evening routine
Improved productivity in the morning starts with having a productive evening routine. It’s important to recognise everything you achieved that day and plan for tomorrow every evening.
This ensures you end the day feeling productive, motivated and excited. It also ensures you start the next day feeling clear, focused and knowing exactly what to work on.
A productive evening routine includes switching off from work, getting a good night’s sleep and expressing gratitude for everything you’ve achieved.
Further reading:
The evening routine that will make you more productive
6 ways to develop a gratitude mindset
7 ways to develop an abundance mindset
7. Take regular breaks to increase productivity
To stay focused and productive all day at work, it’s important to take regular breaks. Taking regular breaks throughout the day ensures you stay energised, motivated and productive.
If you don’t take breaks it’s easy to start feeling tired, exhausted or fatigued. When you go for a long period without taking breaks you could be at risk of burnout.
It’s easy to start the day feeling energised and productive. However, your energy and focus can drop if you don’t take regular breaks. Try taking regular fifteen minutes breaks every hour.
It’s also important to take time out around lunchtime and in the afternoon to boost mental and physical energy. Whatever your break involves it’s essential to take them if you want to increase productivity at work.
Further reading:
How to stop feeling tired all the time
Overwhelmed at work? 10 strategies to beat stress
Burned out at work? 6 actions to take
Summing up
These 7 productivity strategies will help you increase productivity at work if you take action on them. To boost productivity it’s important to have a smaller to-do list, take regular breaks and tackle your most important task first thing.
The benefits of these productivity strategies include better time management, greater productivity, bigger opportunities, less stress and less procrastination. Give them a go and let me know how you get on.
Now I’d love to hear from you.
What’s your number one productivity strategy to get more done?
Which productivity strategy from today’s article will you try first?
Let me know in the comments.
Productivity articles
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How to be more productive: 9 productivity tips
7 productivity tips to be more productive
How to stay productive at work: 8 productivity tips
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The importance of time management: 10 ways it matters
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8 time management tips to work smarter, not harder
About the Author
Mark Pettit is a productivity coach based in Colchester, Essex, UK. He is the Founder of productivity coaching company Lucemi Consulting. Mark provides productivity coaching programs and time management coaching to entrepreneurs and small business owners in Colchester, Essex, Suffolk and across the UK.
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Hi! Many thanks 🙂 Great article.