5 Ways to Boost Your Productivity

In a world that’s on the go, productivity is essential in our daily lives. However, with more to do and more distractions, it’s easy to fall off the productivity bandwagon.

If you need a boost or want to improve your productivity overall, we’ve compiled a list of simple tricks that will make a huge impact.

Follow the “two-minute rule”

Overwhelmed by an endless to-do list? Start small. Complete any tasks that can be done in two minutes or less immediately. Not only does this shrink your to-do list (and anxiety), you save brainpower from not thinking about the task throughout the day, and the instant gratification of getting something done is always a nice perk.

Take regular power breaks

Seriously. Research shows that taking short breaks during long tasks allows you to concentrate and stay productive. Conversely, if you work straight through a task, studies have shown that your performance declines.

As an added bonus, incorporate exercise into your day for a boost in focus, or take a short nap. Both will make a more lasting impact than if you had just scrolled through Instagram for 15 minutes.

Eat a healthy lunch

Are you prone to the 2 p.m. crash? Prevent it from happening by enjoying a healthy lunch. In fact, not only does eating a healthy lunch boost afternoon productivity by up to 150%, it increases focus and feelings of happiness as well. Lunch on!

Limit your to-do list to 6 items

You can’t always anticipate what new project is going to be thrown at you. Prevent the feeling of overwhelm by only writing the six most important tasks on your daily to-do list. A short list prioritizes your focus and allows for the unexpected (see “Follow the ‘two-minute’ rule”).

Turn off notifications and only check your email at set times

A big drag on productivity is interruptions, and while you can’t always say no to a meeting or not answer your co-workers’ questions, there are a few things that you can keep from interrupting you. Turning off notifications on your phone and computer prevents your mind from wandering off task. And don’t even think about checking your email if you’re in the middle of something. Not only will your stress levels decrease, you’ll be able to concentrate better.

Now get to work, busy bee!

Meet Rootasters:

Meg is a dreamer, entrepreneur, and homesteader based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. She loves her cats, feasting, and road trips in her green VW Bug.