How to Improve Your Productivity

Why productivity is important

Productivity matters whether you are referring to marketing productivity or productivity levels at home. The more productive you are, the more you are able to accomplish in a shorter amount of time.

By incorporating productive habits into your everyday routine, you can accomplish your goals while still having time to enjoy life and make the most of it. Those who are the most productive may also find it much easier to achieve the balance they are seeking even when they are not working or trying to enjoy their downtime.

Productivity tips to help you avoid wasting time

Improving your own productivity can begin with a spring cleaning for your marketing goals. What is it that you are looking to accomplish in terms of your marketing efforts and in what amount of time? Use the following tips to help improve your own productivity when in the workplace and when working with new marketing efforts.

Create a to do list

Before getting started with any new marketing campaign, it is highly recommended to create a to-do list. Having a to-do list will help you to gather and organize your thoughts, which can help you to remain as focused as possible. A to do list is also useful to help break down specific, actionable items and steps that are required in order for you to complete one task or accomplish a goal you have in mind.

Set realistic goals

Whenever you are trying to improve your workplace and marketing productivity, you should begin by setting realistic goals. Setting realistic goals for both the short and long-term can help you to remain focused and efficient while working without becoming distracted by another project that is not as important at the time.

Focus on your important tasks first

With your to do lists and your list of important tasks, you can remain focused on the big and most important issues first to boost your productivity. When you have a visual to do list in front of you, you are much less likely to feel overwhelmed, confused, or stressed. Using an organized to do lists and focusing on your big tasks first will also help to make the following tasks feel much less intimidating.

Group similar tasks

Before getting started for your day, use your to-do list to group similar tasks together. Grouping similar tasks will help to streamline your efforts without requiring you to bounce from one type of task to another, which can ultimately waste precious time.

Distraction management

Distractions are the leading cause of lack of productivity at both works and at home. When you find yourself distracted, you may severely cut into the time you have set aside to work or to complete a particular task. Use tools that offer appointment scheduling with ease and browser extensions that block you from visiting distracting websites or social media platforms. The use of distraction management tools goes a long way when it comes to maintaining focus, especially when working at home and in front of a computer.

Give yourself breaks

Allowing yourself breaks can actually help you to be much more productive. While it may sound counterintuitive, giving yourself regular 5 to 10-minute breaks can help you to stay focused without feeling overwhelmed, tired out, or physically strained from working on your computer. Regular breaks can also help you to remain positive, optimistic, and motivated throughout your workday, which is why they are so important.

Quit trying to multitask

Are you the champion of multitasking? Unfortunately, I have some news for you. Individuals who attempt to multitask throughout the day may find themselves actually being less productive and efficient altogether. When you attempt to multitask with numerous tasks at once, you are less likely to maintain your focus on tasks that require more of your full attention. Instead of multitasking, use a to-do list, group similar tasks, and tackle one objective at a time. Tackling one objective at a time will also allow you to put more of your energy forward on your task, which can actually help to expedite the process.

Stick to your morning routine

As with any job or way of life, incorporating a morning routine is highly advisable. Without a morning routine, it is much easier to fall behind with current work tasks and projects you are trying to complete. With a morning routine, you can help your body and brain to adjust to particular actions and habits that help you to become more productive over time. From getting up and out of bed early to eating a healthy breakfast before getting started with work, there are many actions outside of work that can help you to become more productive once you jump into your jobs.

Study your own work habits

Take the time to study your own work habits as you are learning how to be more productive in the workplace and even at home. When you become familiar with your personal work habits, preferences, and best work environments, you can create the optimal work atmosphere for you each time you clock in for the day.

Measure your productivity

Measuring your productivity is key to truly being productive, especially over a period of weeks or months. Using software automation, digital calendars, and collected data and analytics from online users can help provide valuable insight into your overall level of productivity. While it is important to know how you are performing from time to time, it is also advisable to avoid micromanaging yourself to the point of feeling burnt out and passionless.

Be kind to yourself

As with anything in life, it is imperative to be kind to yourself at all times, even if you are struggling to be productive and want to be more time efficient. Focusing on energy and time management can also help with providing you with the confidence you need to better segment tasks you need to attempt to tackle each day.

Allow yourself some breathing room for mistakes and avoid being too harsh on yourself. Instead, work on improving your efficiency by praising yourself for each new milestone or objective you complete.

How to measure your productivity

Before you can begin measuring your overall productivity levels, it is important to identify key performance metrics that are important to you. Using workflow automation solutions can also help with keeping track of productivity while completing tasks, depending on the goals you have set for yourself.

When measuring your productivity, consider the following performance metrics that you may want to keep track of:

• Average task completion time: How long does it take you to complete the tasks you have set for yourself?
• Time-to-productivity: How long does it take for you to get into your "groove" or to become extremely productive at a particular task?
• Costs: What are the costs of the tasks and/or projects you are working to complete?
• Revenue: How much revenue is gained or generated by completing the tasks at hand?
• Process: What process or processes are being used to accomplish particular tasks and/or objectives, and can these processes be improved upon?

Unlock your productivity potential

Unlocking your productivity potential can help you in many other facets of life, especially when it comes to finding time to relax and decompress. By understanding how to unlock your productivity potential, you can put a halt to days that feel as if you have not accomplished anything. Instead, focus on building marketing strategies and managing your business properly and efficiently without feeling bogged down and overwhelmed.

Improving your productivity does not have to require drastic lifestyle changes that interfere with your current way of living and working. Knowing how to be more productive with a few lifestyle changes and healthy habits can go a long way in terms of being more productive at work while still having time to relax and decompress once you are at home for the evening.

With Mailchimp, streamline your marketing efforts, manage your website, and gather observable insights in one central location, helping you to optimize your productivity day in and day out.