How many times have you started a task, abandoned it halfway through, and then regretted that decision later? Chances are you've done this quite often.
What follows is 10 simple techniques to help you become more productive.
I'm sure most are things you already know but keep reading anyway, simply because I'll also be explaining why they work!
1) DO ONE THING AT A TIME AND FOCUS ON IT COMPLETELY:
It's easy to get caught up in several tasks at once - checking email, browsing Facebook outputs little short-term satisfaction however your output will dramatically decrease if you allow yourself to do this. Focus on one task until it's complete before moving on. Not only will your output increase, but the quality of your work will also be higher.
2) GET A DESK CALENDAR AND USE IT:
I have a calendar on my desk that I write down tasks, meetings, and appointments in. This helps me plan my weeks in advance (I like to do this over the weekend when I can think calmly), know what's coming up next week, and keep track of how much time I'm spending on different activities.
3) FOCUS ON GETTING RESULTS - NOT DOING EVERYTHING YOURSELF:
It's hard to not get attached to the idea (and ego boost) of doing everything yourself, however when you focus on getting results, rather than doing everything yourself, then you’ll find that other people are often more than willing to help you out. This is especially true if they're assigned an individual task & it's attached to a deadline, knowing that they'll be held accountable for the work they produce.
4) WRITE IT DOWN:
Try writing down your tasks each day on a notepad or whiteboard - then tick them off once completed. It may sound simple but again, it helps you focus more of your time on working rather than planning and organizing your activities.
5) DON'T FORCE YOUR TIME AHEAD OF YOU AROUND EXISTING SCHEDULES/PLANS:
When sitting down at my desk I try to set up tasks so that I'm doing what needs to be done that day before checking email, replying to Facebook, etc. This way I'm not forcing myself to do things before they're needed, and mainly this allows me to get a more long-term perspective while working on my tasks for that day.
6) LISTEN TO MUSIC WHILE YOU WORK:
Studies have shown that listening to music can help you concentrate better, particularly instrumental/background music with a steady tempo - although I personally listen to boathouse techno (really loud) because it helps me stay motivated (the lyrics don't matter!).
7) DON'T DO UNNECESSARY HOUSEKEEPING WORK:
The time you spend keeping up with every activity in your business is valuable; focus your energy towards doing what's needed rather than the little things that aren't important.
8) TAKE BREAKS:
Again, the focus is a big part of being productive - don't try and work every hour you're in front of your computer, take regular breaks to release yourself from the focus you've been putting on your work. A little exercise can help as well!
9) BE MORE PRODUCTIVE AT NIGHT:
Many people find it difficult to concentrate during the day; therefore if you keep similar hours with others working from home this may be an option for you. If not, experiment with working later at night or early in the morning when there's less distraction around (unless sleeping!). I personally feel more energy and motivation to work if I'm up late doing it.
10) DON'T BEAT YOURSELF UP IF SOMETHING ISN'T ACCOMPLISHED - JUST MOVE ON:
There will be times when you don't get done what you had planned to do. Don't feel bad about it, just learn from the experience and move on!
Here are some FAQs recently asked by readers on topics I have covered previously:
Q. How do you get customers?
A. There are so many ways to get customers, but here are some of the more effective ones: - Contact bloggers and ask if they'd like to review your product/service (example post). - Network with other professionals in your industry by contacting them directly. Email folks in similar forums and ask them for advice or recommendations for services that would be useful to you and your business (you never know when this might come in handy!). - Leverage social media channels such as Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, etc., however, don't just advertise yourself all the time - mix it up with genuine content! The more engaged audience is with what you're sharing, the more likely they are to hear what you're promoting. - Offer free lead magnets in exchange for email addresses. This can be a great way to get your content in front of potential customers, while also building your list with people who may want to buy from you in the future.
Conclusion:
This list isn't all-inclusive, but there are a few things you can do right away to help get your home business off the ground and running in a good direction. If you have any questions or comments feel free to share below!
