In today’s fast-paced world, many people have a hard time staying on top of everything. Some may even say that they don’t have enough time to do everything that they want to do. With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it is easy to feel like your time is running out. However, with the right techniques, you make each day a little easier. This blog will give you some tips on how to increase your productivity, stay on top of what you need to do, and maintain a happy and healthy life.

Make sure you really like what you are doing and that your skills are aligned with it

This is something that all of us know but still, need a constant reminder of. If you like what you are doing, you’ll be happy, and when you’re happy, you’re more likely to be productive. Did you know that happy workers are 13% more productive than those who are not? This shows how much your happiness and satisfaction with the work you do affects your overall productivity. But then the big question is, how do you achieve that satisfaction and happiness?

Re-assess your situation and think whether or not you’re in the right job or business type. Are your skills really aligned with the position you are in right now? If your answer is no, then it might be time to think about it. Review your skillset and list them out. This CMO resume can help you understand better which core competencies, skills, and accomplishments you should prioritize in your list.

Once you have a better understanding of your old and new skills, compare them to the skills needed in your current job or business. Are you able to utilize them properly? Maybe you could do some adjustments based on that. Look for ways to be able to make use of the skills you have in your current business or job.

Prevent multitasking

The myth that multitasking makes you more productive than focusing on one task at a time is wrong. Multitasking actually messes with your sense of time, which can cause you to perform worse. In other words, the more tasks you try to accomplish at the same time, the more likely you’ll be making mistakes. This can slow down and make you feel drained faster, too.

In fact, a study from the University of Sussex indicates that multitasking might be harmful to your brain. So believe it or not, multitasking is actually less productive and it actually wastes more time. Stop keeping on building that mental pressure and start focusing on one task at a time. Try to give your full attention and effort to the task you have on hand, and move to the next one after it is accomplished.

Create a list of things you need to do for the next day and prioritize your tasks

Having a to-do list is the best way to keep track of all your tasks that you’re trying to accomplish. This is a big help in making you more productive. You won’t have to worry about forgetting what you need to do, or getting caught up in a long list of tasks that you forget about. It helps you get organized as well. Plus, doesn’t it feel really satisfying whenever you check off what you’ve accomplished for the day?

In making your list, try to sort them out according to importance first. List the most important ones on top of the list to the least important ones at the bottom. This will ensure that you will be able to finish most, if not all, the important tasks during the day.

Eliminate distractions as much as you can

Let’s face it – distractions can be a major drag on productivity.  To be more productive, you want to eliminate the distractions and focus on what you need to do. A sudden chat from a friend, a little chit-chat with your colleague, or however little it is, distractions is still distractions. And even those little interruptions actually produce a drastic change in your work pattern. Of course, this will result in a drop in productivity, the thing you least want.

So, start turning off those phone notifications, resist the chit-chat time with your colleague, and just focus on the task you need to accomplish. Look for ways that can help you work smarter.

Get enough sleep

Sleep is an essential part of life. It plays a very big role in almost everything that people do. Always make sure you are resting well and getting enough sleep. Work is already tough and sleep deprivation won’t do you any better. It will only produce plenty of negative effects on your performance and you won’t be able to be productive. In fact, sleep deprivation costs companies almost $65 billion every year, due to lost productivity.

So, how much sleep is enough sleep? According to the National Sleep Foundation, young adults and adults need at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep, while older adults need 7 to 8 hours. Make sure you’re getting enough rest so you’d have plenty of energy the next day, thus, increasing productivity.

Exercise before getting started with working

An article by the American Psychological Association found that people who exercise before working have a 15 percent increase in productivity. That’s already a great boost to help you get through your day easier!

You can try taking a short walk during lunch breaks or maybe schedule going to the gym in the middle of your workweek. Even some simple stretching exercises during your short breaks at work can help get your blood pumping and squeeze out your productivity juices.

Your Plan B: If everything else fails…

Hopefully, this blog has helped you and provided you enough tips to keep you highly productive. However, if none of this works, you may want to think twice and consider other options that might be available to you.

If you are an employee, you might want to consider talking to a career consultant regarding a career change/transition. When this happens, do not be afraid of the change. Instead, focus on making sure that you have everything you need. This includes work certifications, a cover letter, a set of references, and of course, an ATS-friendly resume. Look for a place where you can truly showcase all your skills and be able to help you be more productive than ever.

If you are a business owner, try looking for options, whether it be to modify your business, shift niches, etc. Experiment and try new things that could keep you motivated and interested. Maximize your skills and apply the changes you need to in your business. It might cost you money at first but will surely be worth it in the long run. After all, you did it to increase your productivity, which will result in more success down the road.