There’s been so much talk around the subject of “hustling” lately. Because so many of us have been taught the importance of “grinding” through whatever it is we’re trying to accomplish. Only now we’re learning that it’s this exact mindset that is setting us up to burn ourselves out. This year I’m seeing a wave of people trying to move away from those terms and that mentality. It seems as though 2020 will be a year of slow living, self-care and lending ourselves the grace and freedom our bodies deserve.
Now that’s not to say that we can’t still accomplish great things! But it’s how we aim to achieve them that’s most important. Remember the all too familiar phrase, “slow and steady wins the race?” Now more than ever, I believe the truth behind those words! And studies actually show that realistic deadlines, frequent breaks and a flexible to-do list can help you accomplish more. So how do we increase our productivity in a healthy way? Specialists suggest these five research-backed tips:
No. 1: Create Smaller Deadlines
Aren’t we all guilty of a little procrastination? If ever you see me making a to-do list, it’s because I HAVE to set a deadline for the tasks I’ve been repeatedly avoiding. Otherwise, I might never get around to actually doing them! But the mistake we all make when it comes to setting a deadline is that we give ourselves too much time to accomplish them. Hence letting us be the procrastinators we all hate to be! The trick is a smaller window of time to check off your to-do list. Set timers or time-block your day! The point is to set deadlines in the shape of minutes or hours, not days or months. Oftentimes, racing the clock can mimic the deadline-based adrenaline that procrastination gives us.
But even more important than self-discipline, is self-care. So make sure to establish a reward for your small victories! For example: If I set a goal to tackle my inbox before lunch, I should also establish a reward for that accomplishment. These rewards can be things like a mud mask and one episode of your favorite new series. Or 30 minutes to go for a walk and collect your thoughts. Whatever they may be, make sure its something to keep you motivated as you pursue these mundane tasks.
No. 2: Take Frequent Breaks
If you’re anything like me, taking a break feels much less productive than just hammering it out until it’s done. But studies show that it’s important to step away from the task at hand every so often in order to refocus our attention and maintain mental energy. This does not mean stepping away from the computer only to burry your face in your phone screen! Believe it or not, the type of breaks you choose to take matter. And scrolling through Instagram will do absolutely nothing in terms of relieving stress or refreshing your cognitive process. So sit outside will you listen to a motivating podcast, or engage in some yoga or another form of meditation. The goal is to disengage from your work so that your brain has the opportunity to take a healthy hiatus.
No. 3: Stop Multitasking
I think sometimes as humans we believe our brains are superhuman. That they could function at the speed of light if we’d let them. But the truth is, our brains are not equipped to handle more than one thing at a time. So what we see as multitasking, our brain sees as rapid-fire task-switching back and forth. And ultimately, it’s cognitively inefficient. Studies show that multi-tasking makes you less efficient, less effective and can hinder your attention span in the long run. So it’s no longer about how much we can accomplish in an hour, but how quickly we can move from task to task. We should never group multiple to-do lists, nor jump back and forth between tasks before we’ve actually accomplished them. Rather, focus on the matter at hand and give yourself the mental freedom of leaving it behind once it’s done. I’ll mention it again, but if you have never time-blocked your day, you should do so now!
No. 4: Set Realistic Goals
Or what I like to call SMART goals (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound). Make sure the goals you’re setting are actually going to get you somewhere! As a first-time business owner, I can’t begin to tell you how many hours I spent working to achieve a goal that actually did nothing for my business. AKA, they weren’t relevant! And since they were never time-bound they always wasted a good business day or two. Make sure to stick to these criteria when setting goals and then plan the necessary steps you’ll need to take in order to accomplish them!
Another way to set realistic goals is to focus on when you’re setting them. For example: responding to emails takes up a lot of my energy. Way more so than the creative side of my job does! So if I schedule my time to respond to emails in the morning when I feel the most refreshed and my energy levels are high, I’ll be much more equipped to accomplish that goal! Listen to your body. For whatever reason, a lot of my creative ideas flow to me at night, after dinner time. So sometimes I make it a point to take a break from work in the afternoon, only to jump back in later that evening. Give yourself the power to schedule your time and accomplish your goals how you will best. And I promise you’ll succeed!
No. 5: Stop Working
I promise you that working longer rarely means getting more accomplished. And mentally, physically and emotionally, we need a define line that transitions us from our work life into our personal one. A lot of times, this means setting boundaries! For instance, my clients know that if they text me past 5PM, they will not get a response until the following morning. With so much on my plate all the time, I need to be able to log off at night and refocus my energy. Cleaning the house, cooking dinner and spending quality time with my husband are actually outlets that rejuvenate me and prepare me for another day ahead. Don’t let that time get interrupted with work! Switch your email notifications off, let the phone call go to voicemail and give yourself permission to stop.