Stop procrastinating and start doing: 18 Tips to make 2017 more productive

To-do list groaning? In-box heaving? Desk over-flowing? We hear ya! With so much to do, what’s five more minutes scrolling grumpy cat memes?

It seems our ability to procrastinate is never more evident than during the cold winter months. Recent research revealed that more than half of British workers get significantly less work done in winter compared to summer with rainy days, gloomy workplaces and pesky winter ailments all to blame.

Over two thirds of workers believe they are less productive and have lower concentration, 69% are less creative and half have less energy during the winter season.

But didn’t we vow that this year would be different? That we would stop procrastinating and start doing? Trouble is, we don’t quite know how to start.

Well, step forward the productivity experts who’ve got some simple yet effective life hacks to make 2017 your most productive ever! So step away from social media, shut down the Zara sale site and start getting s**t done.

Swap multi-tasking for single-tasking

You might think that multi-tasking is a time-saver, but in fact doing more than one thing at once can actually decrease your productivity. “Focussing on multiple things at once dilutes our attention and focus, explains Life Coach & Business Strategist, Simon Alexander Ong. “Instead block out time (e.g. 30 or 60 minutes) to focus on just ONE task.” Simon says that during this time its vital to ensure that 100% of your focus is concentrated on the task at hand. That means closing down social media sites and any other tabs that aren’t relevant and putting your phone on silent. “This allows us to be more present on the task in front of us, resulting in us being ridiculously more efficient in getting things done.”

Make the most of your commute

“It’s counterproductive to work too hard for too long so set regular time aside to unwind,” says Andrew Arkley at Purple CV. “However, if you are feeling fresh first thing or at the end of the day, make the most of this bonus time to catch up on your emails or organise your to-do list.”

Harness the ‘power hour’

Because the early bird really does catch the worm. Jerry Brand, found of The Brand Foundation suggests starting around 5/6am if possible. “Giving yourself that ‘power hour’ first thing to concentrate on the day ahead is a great way to focus the mind and stay on target,” he says.

Beat the post-lunch slump

According to research feeling lacklustre in the afternoon is costing us 15-30 minutes productivity every day. Nutritional Therapist and founder of Gut Instinct, Zoe Hamer suggests eating low Glycemic Index foods at lunch could counteract the urge to grab a power nap under your desk. “The Glycaemic Index of your food is a measure of how quickly it metobolises into glucose in the bloodstream,” she says. “Higher Glycaemic index foods (like bread and coca cola) will metabolise quickly into glucose, spiking your blood glucose level soon after eating. The insulin response means that our cells quickly uptake the glucose in our blood leading to a crash in blood sugar levels and low energy.”

Start the day with a workout

Set your alarm and stick on your gym kit. “Exercise at the beginning of the day gets the blood moving around our body, wakes us up and puts us into a powerfully positive state, ready to take on whatever challenges may come our way,” explains Simon Alexander Ong. “This simple habit can make a phenomenal difference to energy and focus levels.”

Declutter your Inbox

Keeping on top of your emails is vital to a productive workflow. “Workers spend 41% of each day on email management,” says Graham Allcott from Think Productive. “Learning how to manage and prioritise emails that come in is the first step to achieving maximum productivity for the day, leaving as much time as possible for you to tackle the tasks that need doing,” says Justin Deaville, MD at Receptional.

Make yourself answerable to someone else

According to Simon Alexander Ong, this has the potential to seriously explode your productivity. “By being accountable to someone, it ensures that we show up and let our actions speak louder than words,” he says. “You could go to gym with a friend who picks you up three times a week to take you there or begin surrounding yourself with awesomely inspiring people and sharing what you’re looking to accomplish.”

Keep your brain fresh

“If you get stuck or jammed on one project, simply zip into the next one and that helps to clear the brain (think of it like ‘coffee bean’ sniffing to clear your nose, but for the brain),” says Jerry Brand.

Try the two minute rule

If you can do something in two minutes, do it now! “Exactly what it says on the tin. If you can finish a task in two minutes or less, just do it right away. This frees up so much headspace and means you don’t have the stress of a cluttered to-do list,” explains Andrew Arkley at Purple CV.

Prioritise your to-do list

Laura Little, Leaning and Development Manager at CABA suggests starting each day by making a to-do list and prioritising each task. “Try to get into the habit of tackling a high-priority task first. Chances are the high-priority task is the one you’d normally try to delay.”

Makeover your workspace

It’s not just how you work, but where you work that can have a big impact on productivity. “Good workplace design is estimated to boost productivity by 20%,” explains a spokesperson for workplace consultants, Peldon Rose. They have some tips for ensuring your work space is fuelling a more productive you:-

– Add light and colour – maximise daylight to boost serotonin and ensure you take regular breaks away from your desk

– Keep your workplace clean and tidy – to help minimise distractions

– Quiet Areas – ensure you have an area where you can work that is free from noise and external stimulation and where you can concentrate

– Room Temperature – must be at a temperature that isn’t too hot or too cold

– Counter boredom – work in a variety of locations around the home or office to tackle boredom and to keep you active during the day, moving around can provide a power recharge when it’s needed.

Give yourself a pat on the back

And remember your strengths. “If you’re finding it hard to motivate yourself to finish a particularly difficult task, think about the things you’ve achieved on time in the past,” suggests Laura Little. “Use positive reinforcement by remembering how good it felt when you finished something important at work.”

Drink up

Staying hydrated improves brain function and helps you focus much more easily. “Research has shown that even the mildest dehydration of only 1-2% of body water can affect your ability to concentrate, your alertness levels and your short-term memory function,” explains Suzy Glaskie, a holistic health coach and founder of Peppermint Wellness. Justin Deaville suggests equipping yourself with a personal water bottle that you can sip from throughout the day. “This will keep you hydrated and focused, and also minimise on interruptions caused by having to go and fetch a drink.”

Tweak your playlist

Open plan offices, great for discussing last night’s CBB, not so great when you really need to crack on. “If you find it difficult to switch off from the background chatter, and need to immerse yourself in your own world to focus on a project, classical music in particular has been shown to help increase focus and enable productivity,” explains Justin Deaville.

Learn to say no

Yes, really! “Learning to say ‘no’ is one of the best things that you can do to boost your productivity,” says Peter Tuvey, co-founder and managing director of Fleximize www.fleximize.com . “Sometimes you just need to put yourself first, especially if there’s an important deadline looming. This might mean letting other people down, but there’s nothing wrong with asking somebody how urgently they need your assistance. More often than not, it won’t be urgent at all.”

Turn to tech

Technology is your friend – use it! “Email management software such as Boomerang for Gmail allows you to send emails in the future and have them return to you if they remain unanswered,” suggests Andrew Arkley at Purple CV. “Online tools like Trello allow you and your team to manage your projects from one place and time management software like Harvest can track how long you spend on various tasks.”

Resist perfectionism

Ok so we all want to give work our best shot, but striving for absolute perfection can have a negative impact on productivity. “Remember that it’s usually better to get things done on time than to be a perfectionist, as perfectionists usually find it difficult to finish the things they start (very little in life is perfect, after all),” explains Laura Little.

Take a break

Think powering through is the key to getting things done? Think again. “Research shows that taking regular breaks is a cornerstone of productivity, which enables you to maintain concentration for longer and sustain an efficient output,” explains Justin Deaville. “Spending hours in the same position at your desk, staring at a screen, makes you slow, sluggish and sleepy. Getting up and moving around, or just looking away from the task at hand for a few minutes, will keep you stimulated and engaged.” He suggests timetabling specific times where you allow yourself to be distracted, so you can give your brain a rest without losing concentration or breaking your workflow. Back to those grumpy cat memes.

What are your best tips for boosting productivity? Share them @YahooStyleUK

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