We all make a to do list everyday but most of the time it is very rare when things go exactly the way we plan. Many times, we aim for a great productive day but when it comes to work day our focus tends to get shifted towards different things.
When we can’t focus, we would often shrug our shoulders, thinking that if we didn’t work right now, it would be okay. However, as a consequence, we waste time and money.
While it is fine occasionally, its frequency could lead to falling behind the deadlines that ultimately affect the reputation of your organization and you. So, here are some ways to find the productivity zone and get more things done.
Have a Routine
It is not important to be a sports fan or an athlete to have a sports routine. Lysann Damisch, a social psychologist at the University of Cologne, conducted four experiments to see what effective rituals look like. They say that pre-game rituals are beneficial for a productive day.
The major reason is that when you engage in a pre-game ritual, it boosts self-confidence. They can also help in calming pregame nervousness. It gives them a chance to calm their head and focus on the moment with the help of the routine.
As a non-professional athlete, you can avail similar benefits. In this case, a pre-work ritual helps you for an aligned work rhythm, maintain the required energy, and focus on your perspective.
Also a pre-work ritual doesn’t need to be complicated. You can also have it as simple as cleaning your desk, or reciting a daily affirmation.
The main idea is that you should have a consistent routine to follow before you start working. It will help you start your work mode, and help you in setting the right mindset for the day.
Have a song playlist.
Listening to music when working helps you be more productive. It helps you to become more focused in your work. Here are some obvious benefits:
Michael Lewis, the author of bestsellers including Moneyball and Liar’s Poker said that, “But whenever I’m writing, I have headphones on and I have a soundtrack I write to and the soundtrack changes; it changes book to book and it’s got to the point where both my wife and my kids will recommend songs for the soundtrack for whatever the next project is. And I’ll build a soundtrack out of — intentionally, and the music is, you know, it’s all over the map, it tends to be very up, but it tends to be music that I just stop hearing.”
So according to him, whenever you curate your playlist make sure to be intentional. You can also factor in the musical structure, lyrics, and difficulty of the task.
Clear your mental clutter
As a part of my pre-work ritual, I usually grab the notepad and write everything down because it helps manage all the random thoughts out of my head.
It can be impossible to focus on your work when your brain is preoccupied. When there is everything on paper, it helps you organize your thoughts on the paper. If there is something important, like organizing a phone call, you can add them to the to-do-list. For tasks that are less important, it is important to schedule them whenever you have free time. You can also refer to best numerology reading to get an exact idea of how you want to move forward with your day.
And sometimes it is not compulsory to have a pen and paper. You can also use a whiteboard, or voice recorder. It can filter the gist that if you want to get in the work zone, a fresh start with a clean slate is important.
Have a deadline.
Deadlines should be embraced. It helps you be accountable;prioritize your schedule and help you achieve your goals. It can also help reduce procrastination.
When you start creating your deadline, make sure you don’t be vague like but make realistic deadlines. Your deadlines should be meaningful. So, if you missed your deadline, you would not be able to go on your planned vacation.
For larger, distal goals, establish deadlines for proximal goals. These smaller, attainable goals can be accomplished in a short period of time. They may not seem like they have much value, but they’re more effective and add-up.
Build a mindset
“Anything that might distract or tempt us away from single-tasking needs to be taken care of before we drop into ‘The Zone,” says Christine Carter, Ph.D., a Senior at the Greater Good Science Center.
Here is what he suggests:
While distractions are here to stay, you can also eliminate some of them before they interfere with your work.
Keep the Goldilocks Principle in Mind
In the famous children’s story, “The Three Bears,” Goldilocks tries three different porridges until she finds one with the right temperature. She also follows the same for finding a bed to take a nap.
The same principle is used in fields like astronomy, biology, economics, engineering and developmental psychology and it can be applied to guide you into entering the productive mode.
Sometimes situations can be unavoidable but it gets easier to try mundane tasks and make them more exciting. If any task seems too difficult, it is always better to ask for help and improve your skills or knowledge that you’re lacking.