Productivity is a way to measure how well you can produce work in an efficient manner.
Productivity, according to Dictionary.com : the quality, state, or fact of being able to generate, create, enhance, or bring forth goods and services: The productivity of the group’s effort surprised everyone.
Productivity is an aspect that is used in all parts of your life, but for a telecommuter or an entrepreneur it is crucial to get a hold of productivity constraints and master your work.
Time isn’t the issue, it’s productivity
Stop thinking time management is the real issue. We all struggle with getting things done in time. But remember the 24 hours a day isnt going to change. But what you do in that time can.
Increasing your productivity is not about working longer hours, it is about working smarter. When you start to work longer hours, then next thing you know, you are working during your vacation, you will eat, sleep, and drink work.
Now who wants to live that life.
Unfortunately many of us already do this, but we can help to put a stop to it.
Here are some handy tips to improve productivity.
Create a Nightly To-Do List
At the end of your day, make a to-do list for the next day. This will help you focus your attention on what needs to be done when you look at it tomorrow. In addition, it helps clear your mind so you can get a deeper, more restful sleep.
With better sleep, you will have more energy to work with the next day. Sometimes without that to-do list, you will keep replaying in your head what needs to be done without any clear method of accomplishing these goals. So start writing the items down that have to get done, work or otherwise.
Prioritize your Tasks
Work on the tasks you dread the most, first. With those out of the way, you’ll feel more accomplished, and moving through the rest of your day will be easier. As you prioritize the dreaded tasks, work on what is due first.
Create Deadlines….And Stick to Them
While most of your clients will give you deadlines, it is always a good habit to make your own deadline ahead of the client’s. This way you have a bit more flexibility in your schedule. If the project is due on Friday, give yourself a Thursday deadline. Getting things done early is better than having something happen on Thursday that prevents you from getting the project done by the real Friday deadline.
When it comes to things you need to do for your business that aren’t assigned by clients, make your own deadlines. For example, if you want to increase your client base, set a deadline to have X number of clients, and work for it. You’ll be more productive when you have a deadline, too.
Stop Overloading Yourself….It’s not a Race
It’s easy to overload yourself when you work as your own boss. Whether it is because you need the money, or you underestimate the amount of time the projects on your plate will take you to complete, there is always a chance you will overbook yourself.
It is important to remember that you are only one person, and as a small business owner, you are already playing several roles. You should not have to do the work of 20.
You’re bound to overload yourself from time to time, and there is nothing wrong with working your butt off to get everything done to reach the deadlines and keep the clients happy, as long as that’s not what you are doing all the time.
Trust Me…Burn Out will Happen
If you are constantly overloaded, you’re going to burn out. And when you burn out, you won’t be as productivity. You will dread work, and because you dread it, will not likely get as much done as you would if you were not stressed out. If you find yourself overloaded, slowly cut back your work.
Schedule more time for fewer projects. If money becomes an issue, it may be time to increase your rates.
Use these simple steps to increase your productivity and help you to breathe and stop stressing over..well..everything.
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