How to Be Productive

How to be productive, competent and efficient? Here are 11 personal productivity improvement tips to help you become a more competent person and increase your productivity and efficiency.

Productivity or efficiency is the ratio or proportional relationship between what you generate, create or yield compared to your actual personal capacity to produce.

Many people do have the ability to perform better, become more productive and effective at the workplace and at home. Mostly aren't and it's not because of the lack of resources or opportunities. It's because they procrastinate, have the wrong attitude such as feeling complacent and indifferent and lack time management skills. They probably also don't have a strong desire to excel.

How to Be Productive No. 1 - Determine Your Goals

It has to start with having specific goals or objectives. You must know what you want to achieve and why you want them. Having specific goals makes work or whatever you are involved in becomes enjoyable. You'll have a sense of purpose and the will to do and to keep on moving.

How to Be Productive No. 2 - Set Your Priorities

With so many things to do and goals to achieve, you will feel overwhelmed. List all them down and sort them according to their importance. When you write down your tasks, roles and goals, it gives you clarity and helps counter unproductive activities.

Plan your schedule around your roles. For example, as a parent, you must spend quality time with your children and spouse but you also have to set aside time for exercise and recreation. What you can do is involve your children in your activities. First Things First by Stephen Covey is a great book to read if you want to learn more about setting your priorities around your roles.

How to Be Productive No. 3 - Get Up Earlier

There's freshness and newness in the early hours. This is one of the best times to plan your day in advance. Getting up early gives you the opportunity to start ahead of others and without interruptions. Early risers have more vitality and so are more efficient.

How to Be Productive No. 4 - Prepare and Plan

One of the ways to get more done is to get prepared. Write down your plans. Getting organized is a great time saver. You are able to get more things done in less time. Delegate some tasks or outsource them.

Prepare yourself mentally too. Take some time to do relaxation exercise and for visualization. Relaxation exercise helps you release stress and improve your mental health. Visualization exercise is helpful. When you rehearse the activities that you want to perform and the responses you wish to receive in your mind first, it will be easier for you to actually do them.

How to Be Productive No. 5 - Take Action

It's better to spend your energy getting things done instead of complaining. Take action even if you are uncertain. Actions produce results and feedbacks. Always think of what you can do to get more done. The more you think of how you can produce better results, the more remarkable answers will come to your aid.

How to Be Productive No. 6 - Stay Later and Put in the Extra Hours

Work harder than everyone else. Dedicate yourself full heartedly in whatever you are doing. You will gather lots of knowledge, skills and also rewards from your dedication and efforts. Think of it as an investment of your time for your future growth and success.

How to Be Productive No. 7 - Learn and Gather More Knowledge

Your competence will improve when you learn and gather more knowledge to develop your skills. Learning opens up your mind to see new things, provide new ideas that will make you do things differently. If you don't have time to put aside for learning, listen to audio recordings while you are driving or exercising.

How to Be Productive No. 8 - Create a Sense of Urgency

Life is short. Make it a point not to procrastinate or hesitate. Do what you should and finish it as soon as you can. Once you are finished, start something else. Always cultivate the desire to make things happen.

To overcome procrastination, write down the things that you have to do and then break them down to smaller chunks. Go back to your list of goals as a reminder and for some motivation.

How to Be Productive No. 9 - Stay away from Idleness

Eliminate negativity and idleness in your life. Idleness hinders progress and personal growth. Stay away from people and situations that obstruct your capacity to produce. Be more assertive and say "No" to interruptions and distractions.

Personal Productivity Improvement Tips No. 10 - Impose Self Discipline

Discipline yourself to take action consistently even if you don't feel like it. Rest only when you should and get back to work as soon as you gather your energy. Make it a habit to practice the habit of being prompt.

Personal Productivity Tips No. 11 - Measure Progress

Measure your productivity on a regular basis. You gauge your output by looking at the number of problems solved, actions taken, issues resolved, and goals achieved.

Review and ponder about the things that have worked out and what didn't. These feedbacks will help you identify the unproductive things that you did and your inefficiency and correct them. You'll save time when you avoid making the same mistakes.

Additional Resource

Doubling Your Productivity

Self Improvement Advice

How to Be Productive to Personal Growth