How to Be More Productive - The Best Ways To Increase Productivity

I used to struggle with being productive, I would constantly procrastinate and got distracted way too easily. But eventually I decided I had enough, and found some new habits that have worked really well for me, and allowed me to be much more productive.

1) Prioritize and avoid multitasking

When you're feeling overwhelmed, or when you're struggling to find motivation, I find that it helps to make a to-do list and prioritize. Start with whatever is the most time-sensitive, then work your way down the list. It's important to try to only tackle one thing at a time. Multitasking and trying to do everything at once will only slow you down!

2) Get enough sleep

One common mistake that people make when trying to increase productivity is sleeping less so that they have more time to get things done. This is a bad idea, and will usually backfire! You'll find that you work far faster and more efficiently if you are well rested. There is no magic number for the right amount of sleep, as it's truly different for everyone. Personally, I do best at around 7-8 hours of sleep. It's also a good idea to invest in a good mattress; it's the one item in your home where its important to NOT be cheap.

3) Drink enhanced coffee

If you're already a coffee drinker, try switching to enhanced coffee. It's full of brain boosting herbs & amino acids that can help you focus and be more productive. It also comes without the jitters or mid-day caffeine crash that I used to get when drinking normal coffee. Joe 2.0 Coffee basically invented the category and seems to work best for me. 

4) Put your cell phone out of sight

Smartphones are the root of so many distractions. I used to keep my phone on my desk, and would always find myself scrolling through social media when I should have been getting work done! Doing something as simple as leaving your phone in another room, or putting it in the drawer of your desk will work wonders for your productivity. Just keeping your phone out of sight makes a HUGE difference. Some people will tell you to delete social media all together, but this is unrealistic.. It's 2021, and it can be difficult to keep up with old friends without using social media, just use it in moderation!

5) Find something to look forward to

It's much easier to focus and be more productive when you have something to look forward to at the end of the day. I call it my "light at the end of the tunnel." This could be anything you like, such as starting the next chapter of a book, or a nice glass of wine to help decompress. It's a way to reward yourself for all the hard work you put in, and you'll find that you won't procrastinate nearly as much knowing you have something fun to look forward to at the end of the day.

Thank you for reading!