I think I work a little more productively than the average person, and many people often ask me how to increase productivity. So I decided to collect here all the tips that I can give about this.
Usually the pace of development is discussed in the context of the economy, but it can also be applied in a career, which is very cool. A small grain of productivity, cultivated over 50 years, costs a lot! Therefore, it is necessary to find out how to optimize productivity. If you do your job 10% more every day and 1% better than anyone else, the total difference will be incredible.
What are you working on
It doesn’t matter how fast you move to the goal if it’s not worth it. Choosing the right object is the most important aspect of productivity and often the most overlooked. So really think about it! It’s not easy to think on your own, but if you just start, it will be easier later.
The brightest personalities of those whom I know have certain beliefs about the world - such that are rarely found among the ordinary public. If you notice that you constantly agree with everyone, this is bad. Sometimes you will certainly be wrong, but you need to become more confident and stick to your convictions. This will allow you to be braver when you argue about something serious - such that many people do not notice.
I try to set aside a certain time in my schedule for reflections on what I'm working on. The most convenient ways for me in this sense are reading books, communicating with interesting people and outdoor recreation.
I realized that it’s impossible to be very productive when working on things that I don’t care about or that I don’t like.
So I try not to get into a position where I need to do them (delegating them to someone, avoiding or something like that). Things you do not like are a painful brake that adversely affects your mental state and development.
In addition, here's a tip on how to delegate affairs: remember that any person is most productive when he does what he likes and thinking about what you would like from other people - try to find out who likes what to do (and from whom it works well) and hand over your affairs to them, starting from this.
If you do not like what you have been doing for a long period of time, seriously think about a cardinal job change. Short-term burnout is normal, but if over time this does not go away, it may be time to start doing something that you are more interested in.
I was very lucky to find a job that I like so much that I am ready to do it for free; it really helps me to be really productive.
It is very important to understand that you can learn everything you want and thereby quickly improve your competencies. At first it seems something incredible, but gradually you will realize that this is indeed possible.
Doing hard work usually involves interacting with colleagues. Try to surround yourself with resourceful, productive, contented and positive people who will not make fun of your ambitions. I like to be close to people who push me forward and inspire me to become better. As much as possible, avoid the opposite type of people - letting them into your life can be a terrible mistake.
You need to do two things - find the problematic aspect and get started. There are no easy ways. If you are going to do something really important, you will most likely have to be resourceful and work hard. For the best prizes there is always a serious struggle. And even if it cannot be applied to every field of activity (not every great mathematician works hours seven days a week), but in most spheres there is nowhere without it.
Prioritization
My system rests on three pillars: “Be sure to do all the important things”, “Don't waste your time on nonsense! and “try to do most of the things on the list.”
I highly recommend using lists. I make lists of what I want to achieve this year, month, today. The lists help to focus, they really help me with multitasking, because thanks to them I don’t need to keep a hundred things in my head. If I am not in the mood to do a certain thing, I can always replace it with what I am today.
I prefer to write lists on paper. It is easier to add and delete tasks. I can look into it during the meeting without violating etiquette. Often, I rewrite lists, which makes me rethink what is written there and allows me to add or delete something.
I do not bother with the distribution of cases by categories or attempts to distribute them by volume and the like (maximum - I put an asterisk in front of a really important aspect).
I try to prioritize in a way that would set the momentum. The more I do, the better I feel, from what I do even more. I like to start and finish the day, watching my progress.
I am merciless when it comes to the implementation of important projects - I realized that if I really want to achieve something and try my best, it usually comes true.
I try to be tough, saying no to unimportant things and doing uncritical things as soon as possible. Probably, sometimes I go too far - for example, I’m pretty sure that I’m so laconic about answering emails that some might take it for being rude.
Usually I try to avoid meetings and conferences, which will have to spend a lot of time - because the time spent in the office is most valuable to me. It is necessary, however, to leave enough space in your schedule for sudden meetings or chatting with new people, sharing ideas. Having such an “open network” is very important; and although about 90% of random encounters are a waste of time, the remaining 10% make up for it.
I realized that it is better to organize meetings either lasting for 15-20 minutes, or for 2 hours. A standard setting of 1 hour is usually incorrect and results in a large amount of wasted time.
I try to do different types of work at different times of the day. The first few hours of the morning are by definition the most productive time of my day, so I do not allow anyone to put anything on my schedule for these hours. I try to hold meetings at noon. As soon as I feel that I am starting to lose concentration, I take a break or switch to another matter.
It seems to me that many people do not value their time enough - I am amazed at the number of acquaintances who earn $ 100 an hour and still spend a couple of hours on what they don’t like to do in order to save $ 20.
In addition, do not become hostage to productivity - chasing it aimlessly - a thankless task. Many people spend too much time thinking about how to better optimize their business and do not even think about whether they are busy. No matter how productive you are or how much time you spend, if you are not doing something that is dear to you.
It would be best to paint your year optimally, not the day.
Physical factors
It is very likely that what suits me will not suit you. You will have to experiment and understand what suits your body best. This is definitely worth it, as it helps in all aspects of life, as a result you will feel much better and happier.
Every week, for several years in a row, I spent a little time trying to figure out which job suits me best, bearing in mind that if I do a job that suits me, I am at least 1.5 times more productive.
Sleep for me is one of the most important physical factors affecting productivity. Some sleep tracking devices that help you understand how to sleep better are really helpful. The only thing in the install-and-forget category that I’m happy with and that I really like is Emfit QS + Active.
I like the cool, dark, quiet room and the huge mattress (I refused to spend a lot of money on large mattresses for many years, which was very stupid because it greatly affected the quality of my sleep. I especially liked this one (https: // www.tempurpedic.com/shop-mattresses/tempur-contour-elite/v/715) Refusal to eat a few hours before bedtime also helps. Refusal from alcohol helps a lot, although this does not mean that I don’t drink at all) .
I use the Chili Pad to create coolness during sleep if I can't cool the room enough. It really helps, although it's loud (I purchased it to have a cooling device outside the room).
When traveling somewhere, I use a sleep mask and earplugs.
Perhaps this is debatable, but when I can't sleep, I take a small dose of sleeping pills (about a third of the standard dose) or a very small dose of marijuana. In general, I sleep very badly, especially on the road. My methods probably have a side effect, but I suggest it to those who sleep badly. If you have no problems with sleep, I would not recommend resorting to this.
I usually use LED light in the morning for about 10-15 minutes while I respond to emails. It's great - if you have never done this - I would advise. It helps me incredibly. I especially liked this (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075H39NDL/), it is convenient to take it with you on trips.
Exercise is probably the second most important physical factor. I tried many different programs - each for several months and most of all I liked lifting heavy loads three times a week for an hour, as well as periodic high-intensity workouts. In addition to increasing productivity, this exercise program makes me feel better.
The third aspect is nutrition. I eat very rarely tomorrow, so basically I spend 15 hours without food (not counting the espresso that I drink after waking up). I know that this contradicts many rules and may not suit many people at all, but it definitely suits me.
Consuming large amounts of sugar is something that makes me feel terrible, so I try my best not to do that. I also try not to consume food that adversely affects my digestion or provokes irritation (for example, very spicy food). I practically can not resist the sweets, so I mostly try to avoid just fast food.
Immediately after waking up, I drink a large cup of espresso, as well as another after lunch. This is about 200 mg of caffeine during the day. I tried other schemes, but this one seemed to me the most effective. On the one hand, I try to avoid the use of various stimulating substances, but still I will drink more coffee if I feel very tired or if I urgently need to finish the project.
I am a vegetarian, I have been since childhood, and make up for the absence of B-12, Omega-3, iron and Vitamin D-3. About a year ago, I supplemented this list with blood tests once every three months, and I live (I double-check, probably once a year or six months). There are many doctors who will be happy to help you and do a thorough blood test (as well as services, such as WellnessFX). I also quit drinking protein shakes that I hate and wouldn’t do that, even if I wasn’t a vegetarian.
Other
In a working atmosphere, I like natural lighting, silence, the knowledge that I won’t be disturbed if I don’t want it myself, long periods of time and a feeling of comfort and relaxation (I have a stunning table with a pair of 4K monitors on it, and almost everything I spend my time on the couch with my laptop).
I wrote a special program for annoying but obligatory things to do, which is great. I also learned to type very quickly and this time saved helps me optimize my workflow.
Like many people, I occasionally have periods of one or two weeks in duration when I have absolutely no motivation to do anything (I suspect that this is related to nutrition). This is terrible and almost always it happens at the wrong time. I still have not decided what can be done with this, except to wait for it to pass by itself and to believe that it will gradually pass. I usually try to avoid people and situations that bring me negative emotions; This, by the way, is good advice - it doesn't matter whether you want to be productive or not.
In general, it seems to me that it would be good to take on a lot of things. I realized that I usually do everything that I planned, and having extra cases to do makes me be more efficient (which is a good way not to be distracted by stupidity (a very good habit!) However, excessive overload is often dangerous.
Never neglect your family and friends in the name of productivity - this is a very stupid sacrifice (which may lead to a loss of productivity, as you will become less happy). Do not neglect those things that you love or that help you unload your head.
And finally - I say again: to be productive in the wrong direction is a completely useless thing. Think more about what you work on.