This weeks blog post is a little different to the other posts on this website and a little out of my niche'. As I work for myself, it means I am my own boss which can sometimes mean I have to put that pressure on myself to be productive. So I thought I would share some of my own productivity tips and the things I do to motivate myself.
The struggle is real especially when it comes to Writer's Block. I will try to find any other reason not to do it and If I force myself to do it, it ends up being my worst quality work and will most likely have to be done again. Which isn't very productive at all.
So, here are some of the things that I do to try and help that.
Find time for yourself
You can only work for so long before you burn out. That's why it's so important that you're using this time to look after yourself too. Give yourself a break and do something you enjoy. Find a hobby that you enjoy doing, or just pick up a book, watch a movie. Give your brain a break and when you come back to working, you'll feel a lot more motivated and find it easier to get things done.
Do the 'smaller' jobs
This really helps me when I'm not feeling productive. It's hard when everything on your to-do list builds up and you suddenly have a long list with no idea where how to start.
The smaller tasks are a great place to begin, especially if you're feeling overwhelmed. These are the jobs that can be done without too much thought and take no time at all. Therefore if your heart really isn't in it, it's not going to effect the quality of the task. For example, going to the post office, popping to the shops or replying to emails. This will allow to you shorten your list, while also freeing up your time in the future when you are ready to work but have these smaller tasks taking up your time.
Keep it Clean
Question - Why would you want to sit a cluttered work space? It can be off putting and make you feel completely unmotivated.
If your workspace is cluttered, it can be extremely irritating to work on. However, if you have a clear desk and a tidy workspace, it means that you can comfortably and efficiently work.
Sometimes I find organising my things; like a draw for example can help with productivity too.
Track your Time
This might sound a little weird but it's a good way to highlight to yourself where you're spending your time and if you're using it in the most effective way. I spend a really worrying amount of time on my phone when I'm trying to work and tracking my time has allowed me to limit that.
There are a lot of apps out there to help with that too. Toggl allows you to track your time through your phone, tablet or computer. It's a great and effortless way to track your time and see where you are spending it.
It's also a great way to organise your time too.