If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your workload, there are some things you can do to get more done in a day.
One of the best ways to do this is to try task batching, which involves doing similar actions at once rather than switching between different tasks. This can be especially helpful for completing repetitive tasks, such as checking email multiple times a day.
1. Plan Your Day
Planning your day effectively is an essential skill to develop for anyone looking to get more done in a day. Whether you plan your day with a calendar app like Google Calendar or a pen and paper notebook, it’s important to set aside time each morning to plan out what you want to achieve throughout the day.
Many people have trouble getting into the habit of daily planning, but it’s a powerful technique that can help you achieve better results in less time. It can also help you avoid the common pitfalls of multitasking, forgetting tasks, and rushing through your to-do list.
It’s best to start planning your day the night before, so you can make sure all of your important tasks are scheduled and completed on time. Taking the time to think about what you need to accomplish each day can give you a sense of control and motivation, which are necessary for success.
Another great way to ensure your daily planning process is effective is to identify the key goals you’re working toward and prioritize each task accordingly. This can be as simple as adding them to your to-do list or as complex as creating a spreadsheet with multiple tasks and deadlines.
While you’re thinking about your goals and how to prioritize them, don’t overlook your personal needs or your physical health. While most work tasks require a lot of attention and focus, it’s critical to take breaks and rest regularly to keep your mental strength up and your creativity flowing.
Some of the most productive people we know don’t just schedule their meetings and calls, but they take a moment to reflect on their own progress each evening before bed. This helps them recognize their wins each day and get ready for the next day’s challenges with a positive mindset.
2. Set Goals
Creating goals is an effective way to boost productivity. It’s also a great way to motivate yourself and keep you focused. However, it’s important to set realistic goals and make them attainable.
If you’re trying to work on a large project, it’s best to break it down into smaller tasks and set daily goals for each one. This helps you focus on progress and ensures that you’re working towards a bigger goal each day.
Another good practice is to write down your goals in the morning. Studies have shown that people who set their goals in writing are 11% more likely to achieve them than those who don’t. This is because a written reminder keeps your goals front and center in your mind, so you’re more likely to stick with them throughout the day.
Moreover, setting daily goals will help you get more done in a day than just doing tasks without a purpose. It will also keep your motivation up and make it easier to stay focused when you get distracted by unexpected events or tasks that arise during the day.
You should also set a deadline for your goals, which will help you track your progress and ensure that you’re making consistent progress toward your goals. For example, if your goal is to start a new business, you may want to set a deadline of a month.
As you work on your daily goals, make sure to set a timer to remind you of how much time you have left before the deadline. This can be very motivating, especially if you know you’re only going to have 45 minutes to complete your task.
3. Break Down Your Tasks
Breaking down your tasks is a simple, yet effective way to boost your productivity. It also helps you track your progress and ensure that work is completed on time.
Often, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of tasks we need to complete on a daily basis. This feeling hinders our ability to make progress on a project and can damage our morale.
But when you take a step back and think about it, most tasks we want to accomplish can be broken down into smaller projects that we’ll work on in small steps. That’s why it’s so important to use a task management system that breaks down your goals into smaller, more manageable tasks.
A good way to start is to look at the tasks you’ve already set as goals and see if they can be broken down into microtasks that you can work on in short increments. This method will help you visualize workflow and give you a better idea of how you can approach your next big assignment.
Once you’ve identified the microtasks that need to be done, you can assign them a priority and a date for completion. This will give you an idea of when to take a break, which will prevent you from becoming burned out.
When you’re breaking down your tasks, it’s also a good idea to consider whether they require input from others. If so, you’ll need to add those into your list as well.
By breaking down your tasks into smaller pieces, you can get a lot more done in a day. This will keep you from getting bogged down in a massive project, and it’ll also allow you to make more progress on your larger goals.
4. Don’t Multitask
Many people try to multitask in hopes of getting more done in a day. This approach may seem like a good idea, but research shows that it isn’t.
One of the biggest reasons that multitasking is bad for you is because it causes switching costs. When you switch between tasks, you aren’t able to focus on either. In fact, it can take you significantly longer to complete each task than if you were able to concentrate on just one.
Another reason that it isn’t a good idea to multitask is because it can hurt your overall work quality. This can affect everything from your productivity to your ability to create new ideas.
The best way to avoid this is to be very discerning about which projects you take on. Make a list of your priorities, and don’t allow yourself to take on more than you can handle.
If you can’t decide what’s more important, consider putting your most pressing project on hold for the time being. You can then start working on that project again once it is more manageable.
When you do take on a new project, make sure that it will actually move you closer to your goals. If it doesn’t, it’s probably not worth your time.
Likewise, if you have other tasks that aren’t as important, put them on hold until they are more manageable. It can be a tough pill to swallow, but if you really want to get more done in a day, you’ll have to make the decision to stop trying to do too much at once.
Multitasking is not only bad for your mental fitness, but it can also hurt your EQ (Emotional Intelligence). If you’re a heavy multitasker, this can affect your ability to socialize with others and have conversations that are meaningful. This could be a big problem if you are trying to build a relationship with your coworkers and improve your career.
5. Take Breaks
Taking breaks throughout the day helps you to reduce stress, improve mental health, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. They also reduce fatigue, which can be a major contributing factor to burnout in the workplace.
Whether you’re a remote employee or working from an office, it’s important to make sure you take breaks during the workday. Research shows that not taking enough breaks can lead to physical exhaustion and poor performance at work.
In fact, some studies have shown that a short break every 45 minutes has a significant impact on productivity. You can use this time to check Facebook, watch a puppy video, play scrabble, or call your friend—anything that doesn’t require your full attention.
The key is to make your breaks intentional, rather than random. You can start by setting a clear goal or intention for your break, such as chatting with a friend or walking the dog.
It’s also helpful to get up and move around during your breaks, which can help combat the effects of sitting at a desk for long periods. This can give your body a chance to rejuvenate, and you’ll return to work feeling refreshed.
You’ll also want to take a break to think about what you’ve done during the day and how it aligns with your goals. This will allow you to refocus and get more accomplished.
Getting more done in a day isn’t as hard as you might think. By following a few simple tips, you can turn your day into an efficient, productive, and enjoyable experience. You’ll be able to check more items off your to-do list and move forward where you’ve been stuck for too long!