Ever hear the saying we all have the same 24 hours in a day.
Although it may technically be true, when you’re sat on the sofa after a busy day feeling exhausted yet nothing seems to have been done, it doesn’t feel like it.
We’ve been there, and we’re sure you have too…
Where you’re spinning what feels like a hundred plates.
You’ve got a million and one things on your to-do list.
And you wish you had a way of sneaking just a couple of extra hours into the day, so you could get things done.
Although stopping time isn’t possible, here are 5 productivity tricks I use to squeeze more into each day (without a magic stopwatch):
#1. The 5-Minute Rule
If you’re a serial procrastinator, you’ll know how hard it can be to get big tasks ticked off, meaning you end up putting them off for days or even weeks.
Even when you know they need to be done. And that creates stress!
Instead of focusing on completing the task, commit to spending just 5 minutes on it.
More often than not, once we get started, we get into a ‘flow’ and find we’re able to get it done faster than we realised.
And even if we don’t, it means we’re 5 minutes closer to getting it finished.
#2. Rest and Relax
It sounds counterintuitive, but sometimes the best thing we can do to be more productive is…
Be less productive!
But allowing yourself time to rest, reflect, and relax, will actually make you more focused and effective.
Meditation, yoga, and even going for a walk can all help us refocus. And as always, don’t forget to take regular breaks from work to stand up, stretch, and move your body.
Our bodies need rest to function properly. This leads neatly onto…
#3. Good Quality Sleep
When there are deadlines looming and urgent tasks that need to get done, there’s a natural tendency to sacrifice sleep in order to find ‘extra time’.
But those extra hours are soon lost in productivity.
In fact, a vast (and growing) number of studies have demonstrated how reducing our sleep by just 2 hours per night can have a catastrophic effect on our problem-solving abilities, performance, and memory.
So as tempting as it may be to stay up late to finish that project, you’re better off getting a good night’s sleep if you want to remain productive.
#4. Stop Multitasking
This is another one I know I’ve fallen prey to more than once.
When we’ve got a load of things that need doing, it’s tempting to try and get them all done at once, right?
But that’s not the way our brains work.
And it’s been proven time and time again that multitasking means we complete all tasks slower than if we were to focus on just one at a time.
So close down all those tabs, stop splitting your focus, and tick one thing off your ‘to-do’ list at a time. It’ll make a BIG difference.
#5. Identify Time and Block
Admittedly, this trick is more anecdotal than it is scientific, but it works well for us.
Some people feel more creative first thing in the morning, others late at night. And others find they can easily tick off boring admin tasks straight after lunch, while others find it easier in the morning or evening.
The key to being more productive lies in understanding when you’re most productive at certain tasks, and then blocking out time in your diary to focus on them.
Maybe it’s an hour in the morning to catch up on emails, another hour in the middle of the day for ‘creative’ work, and an hour in the evening to plan the day ahead.
Once you understand how you best operate and stick to these time blocks, We’re confident you’ll find yourself getting more done in less time!
#6. Adjustments
We know, you could argue we’re biased…
But we’ve lost count of how many times we’ve had patients first visit us in search of relief from neck pain, back pain, migraines, etc.
Only to embrace regular adjustments as part of their lifestyle, and realise the impact it has on their life.
And often, within weeks, they can’t help but share how they feel more energetic, and more productive, are sleeping better, and how others have commented on their improved mood!
Yep, that’s what happens when you look after your spinal health.
