We all have 24 hours, 1,440 minutes, or 86,400 seconds in a day to be productive...
But why do some people seem to accomplish way more than others - even though we all have the same amount of time?
How do they do it?
The answer is quite simple: They’ve mastered the skill of time management.
But let’s be real: we all get busy, overwhelmed, or distracted, and quite frankly, managing our time isn’t always that simple!
The good news is, there are some little hacks that you can apply into your life to become successful at it.
If you’re tired of running away from important but difficult tasks and you’d like to really learn how to train your mind to become more focused and productive, then try these 10 hacks for ultimate success:
1. Plan your day
Prioritize your tasks by tackling the ones that will give you the most return for your time, and take out the rest. You’ll get fewer tasks done, but you will be more efficient.
2. Create a To-Do list
Make your list as clear as you can and put it where you can see it at all times. And most importantly - make it short! Longer lists make you busy and not necessarily productive.
3. Do the Hardest Task First
Your creativity and motivation are at its peak during the morning, so take advantage of it by doing the hardest task on your list first. As your energy wears off, you can move on to easier tasks.
Also, by doing this, you’ll be less likely to procrastinate, more likely to build momentum, and you’ll have a sense of accomplishment for the remainder of the day.
As Mark Twain famously said: “Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you for the rest of the day.”
Famous and successful people like Oprah & Thomas Edison follow strict daily routines - they set up a time to wake up, start working, work out, and when to relax.
Remember - peak productivity isn't about luck. It’s about habit and commitment.
5. Simplify your decision-making
Are there any techniques you use to simplify your decision making process on a daily basis?
Mark Zuckerberg wears the same shirt every day - so did Steve Jobs. Now, I’m not suggesting you do the same but the idea is to find some decisions in your everyday life you can automate.
After you do this, you can enjoy more time and abundant energy to focus on things that matter most to you and be more productive.
6. Take advantage of off-peak hours
Do you have the habit of buying groceries on Sunday afternoon when the store is busiest? Do you hit the gym at 5:00 pm when everyone else does? Why go to movies on the most popular nights? Do things at off-peak hours and you won’t have to wait around to accomplish what you want!
7. Maintain a fit body, mind & spirit
Make sure to keep your mind sharp by stimulating it and tapping into your creativity. Fulfill your spirit by doing things you love and keep your body healthy by working out consistently. Don’t forget to get enough water and sleep!
When you take time to take care of this, it will reflect on your productivity levels the next day.
8. Declutter your space
Are you constantly looking for things misplaced around your house or your workspace? Does your office or home cause you more stress than peace?
Did you know by spending 10 minutes each day decluttering one area of your home or office, you’ll be less likely to be distracted and stressed?
Try it and see for yourself how being organized pays off.
;-)
9. Treat your time like money
If time is money (which most of us agree it is) why give it away? It’s important to say NO or decline some opportunities. Your main goal should be to take on only the ones you know you have time for and that you truly care about.
10. Master these essential life skills
Take time to become more efficient by looking for trends. Did a task take longer on a certain day or time of the day? Did you find that you’re more productive in the morning or at night when everyone’s asleep? What can you do to improve?
Find the time when you’re most focused and the tasks that need the most concentration, so you can be more effective.
And remember.. being “busy” is nothing but being preoccupied with lots of unfulfilling activities. Anyone can be busy.
Choose to be productive! Remember what you choose to do with that precious amount of time will dictate the quality of your life.
And speaking of the quality of life, I invite you to join our free online workshop here we go deep to uncover subconscious blocks that could be standing between you and the life you desire! If you’ve tried everything to master your time management skills but nothing seems to stick, there could be something blocking you from success. Want in?
Do you know of any other productivity hacks? Add to our list in the comments section below!
