Well, regardless of whether you are a chronic procrastinator or just often struggle with forcing yourself to do something (don't we all), it can be hard to muster the energy and focus. That's why I developed a great work around for this — trick yourself!
I use hacks to make myself more productive whenever I start to slack. Experiment with these little mind-tricks, and see what works for you!
1. Set a fake deadline.
The logic underlying this one is quite simple the more time you have to do something, the longer you’ll take to do it. If I have a particularly busy week ahead, I pretend as if I won’t be working on the Friday. That way, I force myself to get everything sorted by Thursday. And even if I don’t make my fake deadline it saves me from some last minute panic at the end of the week.
2. Never answer your phone.
Sure, they make apps for productivity, and your timer is on your phone. But it's easy to try and rationalize why you need to be attentive to your phone at all times when you're trying to get things done. But the truth is, you really don't need to be clinging to it for dear life, and especially not when doing work.
3. Split your time up into clear chunks.
One way that I do this is to work in very short time increments. So I will look at the clock as if it says 447 pm and think to myself, OK I’m going to respond to as many emails as I can until 5 pm. I then I work on that one task right up until 5 pm; it keeps me focused and driven — for 13 minutes at least.
4. Have a mantra you can fall back on.
I resist the urge to start doing something else by repeating to myself the given task at hand. I'll silently say Work on email or Make outline for that article, or whatever the task is that I’m doing. Having a mantra to get you in a zone for productivity is a great trick for avoiding something shiny that might distract you.
5. Rewrite your list.
I often rewrite my to do list if it’s messy because having a shorter list will psychologically make you feel more accomplished. You’ll be able to get rid of all the other to-dos that are cluttering your list and just zone in on the ones that matter. This is a simple way to clear clutter, which in turn will reduce your stress hormones.
6. Dangle a carrot.
Having a light at the end of the tunnel will help to make you more productive. Even something as simple as getting up to get a cup of coffee can motivate you to get more done. I often give myself a reward (some tea, checking Twitter, texting my husband) when I'm in the middle of a task. I do the task and then I know I'll get a reward. But making that deal with yourself ahead of time is very effective.
7. Take a walk.
Being indoors can make you feel stagnant, so get outside and go for a walk. Getting some fresh air can help reset your mind and keep you motivated. Going for a stroll is also a great opportunity for people watching. I often make up stories about people I see on the street — it’s a fun little habit I picked up as a kid. Other people can be a great source of inspiration for new experiences and new ideas.
8. Sleep on it.
If it’s 1159 pm and you haven’t written a single word in the last hour, it might be time to go to bed. Don’t worry, you’re not giving up. Your subconscious mind is always problem solving, even when you’re sleeping. Plus a new day brings a new perspective on your task.
BDST: 1737 HRS, MAY 25, 2015
Edited by: Sharmina Islam, Lifestyle Editor
