- If only we had more than 24 hours in a day…
- I need a whole day off to catch up.
- There are too many distractions to accomplish anything.
If you’ve ever uttered any of those phrases, then you understand the value of results. Productivity can be hard to come by. However, there are some scientifically proven ways to increase it.
1. Invest in a standing desk
The first time I heard about the “standing desk” was at a writer’s conference. The speaker told tales of writing 200-page books within a matter of days; all because he had this mystical furniture. I laughed, out loud. He couldn’t possibly be serious, could he? Then I had the pleasure of using one at a shared office space. After day three I believe I heard angels singing.
In less than 21 hours I’d completed five projects, cleared my inbox, eliminated 99% of my to-do list and updated my website. I can’t explain it, but it works. The bonus is that there are many health benefits associated with standing instead of sitting for multiple hours at a time.
2. Go back in time
Cut off the technology. That means the cell phone, social media and anything else that isn’t prevalent to the work you are currently doing. Use a notebook and a timer.
Sometimes we can’t help but have distractions. The holidays are coming up; the kids have multiple appointments and scheduling conflicts; taxes are due. You know how it is. That’s where this plan comes into play. Before you begin, turn off anything that normally distracts you. This may mean your phone, internet, or TV. Keep a notebook nearby to jot down distractions that come to mind. You’ll deal with those later. Then, set a timer and work until it goes off. The majority of our failures are due to those little pesky things that could have been avoided.
3. Remember the basics
This may seem like the same old recycled info, but there is a reason for its popularity: it works. Eat a healthy breakfast, drink water, get enough sleep, and make sure you get enough sunlight or talk to your doctor about vitamin D supplements. No amount of tricks, techniques or office furniture will work unless you remember the basics.