Many of the world’s greatest achievers use these five methods to keep productive. It’s how they keep achieving their goals:
#1 Break Down Goals Into Bite-Sized Tasks
According to research by the University of Scranton, only 8% of people actually achieve their New Year’s Resolution goals. One reason why that number is so low could be because only 3% of people write their goals down. Writing it down makes it real.
The thing is if you keep your goals in your head alone, and if you don’t break them down into smaller daily tasks, chances are you’ll also be part of the 92% that don’t get anywhere.
So take the time to turn your goals into actionable tasks, and then focus 100% on those activities.
Tip: use this method to achieve annual, monthly, and weekly goals. It is also helpful to jot down daily goals, whether it’s for work or a personal To-Do list. Side note… There is something very fulfilling about ticking off those tasks as you complete them.
#2 Limit Digital Distractions
Digital distractions like social media are huge procrastination enablers. Luckily, there are apps that can help cut down social media time, such as Freedom which can be installed on both your computer and your mobile phone to block all digital distractions that eat up your productivity time.
Another simple method to limit digital distractions is to simply set a timer: for example, for the next hour until the timer goes off, you will work without checking your inbox, WhatsApp messages, or social media accounts. Then set the timer for 10 minutes to allow you to check and respond to comments, messages, and so on.
As for email, it’s best to limit yourself to checking it three times a day. Other than that, keep your inbox shut and your phone on silent.
#3 Remove Your Presence to Meet Deadlines
Modern-day open offices are not built for productivity, and office socializing can get out of hand, with many employees admitting that they only get three hours of work done a day. Granted, that’s not only because of socializing, but it is one of the top reasons for workplace unproductivity.
When you really need to get stuff done or have an urgent deadline, it may be best to remove yourself to a quiet space where you won’t get distracted by ringing phones or people popping in for quick gossip.
#4 Keep One Day a Week Meet-Free
The problem with meetings is that they take time away from where you could be doing things. Not only that, but it’s hard to focus for a quick 30 minutes of work between meeting A and B.
You can get a lot done just by keeping one day a week meeting-free so that you can buckle down and get stuck in. Maximise productivity on that day by limiting digital distractions and working in a quiet place.
You‘ll be surprised at how much can be accomplished.
#5 Find the Right Productivity Tools
There is no shortage of productivity tools and tools that simplify work processes and automate repetitive tasks.
Here are some ideas:
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools such as the South African accounting industry-specific, practice management South African DataGrows CRM by DataGrows. The tool acts as a central hub that can be used anywhere by the entire, team in real-time. According to Thrivemyway, CRMs increase the productivity of employees by 15%.
Project Management tools such as Trello, Asana or Monday.com.
Automation tools will depend on your industry. For example, accountants may find Intuit QuickBooks or Zoho Books helpful, and medical facilities will need their own practice management system.
But you do need to put in some research time in order to find the software that works for you and will also easily integrate with the software you already use.
What do people say about the DataGrows CRM?
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