HOW TO WORK EFFICIENTLY

Let me ask you a question – are you supposed to be doing something else right now? A project? An assignment? Maybe even household chores? If your answer is yes then, like me you procrastinate a lot. So I am here to give you some tips and tricks on how to procrastinate less and work more. 

• MAKE REALISTIC TO-DO LISTS

All of us might be familiar with the concept of to-do lists, if not then let me explain, it is a list of things/goals you wish to accomplish within a particular time period and when you do it you check/cross it out of your list.

For example

• Finish chapter 6
• Complete notes of chapter 10
• Write notes to chapter 8 & 9
• Finish reading the library books

I hope this gives you a basic idea of to-do lists.

 But here’s a mistake that people often make with their to-do lists – they fill their lists with unrealistic expectations and often times their list is so full that it makes situations very stressful. If you see things on your list that are impossible to finish within the time period then you need to either recheck your list or give yourself more time. Keep the most important tasks on your list and work on those before adding more things to your list. Make sure to keep your list in such a place where it is visible to you at all times, that way you can keep track of all the things you’ve done and the things you need to do.

• MAKING TARGETS/SETTING GOALS OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE

This one might be a little opposite to what I said previously, but just hear me out. When you set targets that are within your comfort zone, you will slack, this is because you subconsciously know that you can do it and you won’t work hard on that task. Set targets that are a little out of your comfort zone while keeping realistic goals.

• CLEAN/ORGANIZED WORKSPACE

This is something that is so small yet so important! Having a clean workspace gives you a stress free environment. It doesn’t have to be extremely clean or extremely organized, it just needs to be clean enough so that you don’t get a heart attack everytime you look at it.

• REMOVING DISTRACTIONS

A really big reason/common excuse that we’ve all used at some point is – I get distracted easily! Well, it is time for you to control that distraction instead of letting it control you.  Turn off all the distractions while working, get to a quiet place and try not to have music while working , especially if it is your favorite song (you will get distracted, trust me!)

• VISION BOARDS/INSPIRTIONAL QUOTES

Let’s be honest – there are moments when we don’t feel like working/feel demotivated and that’s completely okay! We all have such moments. But the thing is – the world will not stop and you need to keep hustling to get to your dreams and goals. Having a vision board and/or inspirational quotes in/around your workspace will motivate you to work harder. Make sure that these are kept in a place where you can see them all the time, especially while working.

Here’s a guide to making a vision board – 

• SURROUND YOURSELF WITH POSITIVITY AND LIKE MINDED PEOPLE

People can be a make or break for your work. If you surround yourself with positive, hardworking, like-minded people you will be motivated to work harder. On the other hand if you surround yourself with people who are more focused on other things and not really interested in working, then you’ll most probably get distracted and/or lose interest in work.

• TAKING A BREAK

Doing one thing for a long period of time will numb your brain and it won’t let you be productive.

Fun fact – worker ants take anywhere from 8 minutes of rest every 12 hours to over 250 1 minute naps in 1 day at irregular intervals.

Although I don’t suggest you follow the ant routine I do suggest that you take a 10 minute break every 30 minutes or 15-20 minute break every hour. DO NOT use this time on social media or on your phone, you won’t know how fast time goes if you get on social media. Instead walk around or stretch your body or just close your eyes and meditate. This will energize you to get back to work.

• BRIGHT LIGHT/GOOD LIGHTING

Another really small yet important thing. When you work in places that are not well lit your mind automatically gets demotivated or distracted on doing the work. Just like a photo or video doesn’t come out well without proper lighting, same way your true potential cannot come out properly without proper lighting. Make sure that your workspace is properly lit, preferably with natural lighting.

P.S.: These are just some things that work for me, they don’t necessarily need to work for you. Don’t be disheartened by that, just look for what works best for you and go for it.