1. Make a list
In order to stop procrastinating and to double your productivity, it is important to make a list.
Write down all the tasks you have to do and a time frame to do them in. You can do this as soon as you wake up, but it is better to do it the night before or even at the start of the week.
When writing the list, ask yourself the question, If I could only get one task done, what would it be?
This will allow you to get straight down to work, instead of wasting valuable time wondering where you should begin.
Knowing what you have to do, and when you have to do it can at the very least double your productivity.
2. Unplug
The internet, as useful as it is, is the biggest reason for procrastination out there. Checking your email, facebook, twitter, the news and the latest gossip might be entertaining, but it minimises your chances of getting much done.
Don’t fall into this trap like so many others do. Simply unplug your internet connection.
I realise that this might not be possible for everyone as you might need the internet for your work. If so, then exercise some self discipline. You could take a 10 minute break every hour to check your email, facebook etc.
Just doing this can dramatically increase the amount of work you get done, and can double your productivity.
3. Take a day off
This might sound counter-intuitive, but take one day off work every week. Do anything you want that day apart from work.
This will make sure you don’t feel burnt out, and are able to work at your very best the next day.
You’ve had a whole day off to do anything you want so you know that the next day you have to buckle down, and get some work done. Taking a day off serves as a great motivation tool and is an excellent way to double your productivity.
4. Stop trying to make everything perfect
I’m sure you’ve all been there before. You spend all day trying to make something perfect, trying to find the perfect colour for your website, trying to find the perfect style of font, trying to make the margins of something you just printed perfectly symmetrical etc leaving no time to start anything else.
The more time you spend trying to make something perfect, the less time you will have to dedicate to other tasks.
Instead of trying to make something perfect, make it good enough. Good enough is good enough! You can then move onto other tasks that need doing.
Remember that you can always come back to a task to make it perfect. Just not until everything else is finished though!
5. Single-task
In order to really be able to focus, you must work on one task at a time.
Work on the one task that is more important than the others, and don’t let anything distract you. Give your full attention to it, and don’t start another task until the one you began is finished. If the phone rings, let it go to voicemail, if you receive an email, wait until you take a break to check it, if people constantly knock on your door – put up a do not disturb sign etc.
Focusing on one task at a time allows you to be fully present.
