Individually they may seem insignificant, but together they greatly affect productivity. And most of them come down to a choice between immediate gratification and long-term benefit.
1. Sitting on the Internet
It takes us an average of 15 minutes to focus and fully immerse ourselves in something, like write paper. If we distract ourselves from our work to read the news, go on social media, or watch a video, we have to tune out again for 15 minutes. The more often we are so distracted, the more productivity suffers.
2. Strive for perfectionism.
Many people fall into a stupor when they need to start something, thinking that their idea or work falls short of perfection. But how can you create something if you never start or give your ideas a chance to take shape? As writer Jodi Picoult said, “A poorly written page can be edited, but a blank page cannot.”
3. going to meetings
Meetings consume a lot of your time, so avoid them if possible. If something really important is discussed, warn everyone in advance that you will stick to the assigned schedule. When there’s a clear time limit, it’s easier for everyone to concentrate.
4. Respond to emails as they come in.
Don’t let email constantly distract you. Check your inbox at the same specific time, and set up notifications for emails from your most important clients. You can also set up an autoresponder that tells you what time you can check your mail and respond to the email.
5. Take a nap in the morning.
Sleep is divided into several cycles, the last of which prepares us to be awake and active upon awakening. This is why we sometimes wake up before the alarm clock.
But if we decide to take a nap and go back to sleep, we lose this feeling of vivacity and wake up tired and lethargic. This state can last for several hours. So no matter how sleepless you feel after the alarm bell, make yourself get out of bed if you want to have a productive morning.
6. Taking on more than one task at a time
Researchers at Stanford University found that people who take on multiple things at once have a harder time focusing or remembering things compared to those who only take on one thing.
When we try to do two things at once, the brain just can’t do them both equally well. Even those who were confident that multitasking helped them get things done faster lagged behind those who did things sequentially at the end of the test.
7. Putting off difficult tasks.
We have a limited amount of mental energy. When we waste it, our ability to make decisions and our productivity decrease dramatically. This phenomenon is called decision fatigue.
By putting off difficult things that scare you until the evening, you leave them for a time when you are least able to handle them. So try to finish them in the morning while your brain is still fresh and alert.
8. Use electronic devices before bedtime
Blue light affects sleep quality and mood. When it hits the retina, it inhibits the production of the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin and helps you feel more awake. In the morning, the sunlight is high in this blue light, but in the afternoon it is less. The body produces melatonin again, and we begin to feel sleepy.
In the evening the brain is especially sensitive to blue light. And most of the devices we use – laptops, tablets, smartphones – emit blue light. As a result, we can’t fall asleep for a long time, and the quality of sleep suffers. So try not to use electronic devices before you go to sleep.
9. Eat a lot of sweets.
Glucose helps us when we need to concentrate. If its blood levels are too low, we become sluggish and tired and have a hard time concentrating. Research shows that 25 grams of glucose is enough to make us feel better. You can get it from a variety of foods, the only difference is how long the effect will last.
Sweets, sodas and other sugary foods give you a feeling of vigor for about 20 minutes. But if you eat oatmeal, brown rice, or anything else with complex carbohydrates, the energy will be released slowly, so you stay active longer
