Habits to improve productivity and quality of life
Every day we face many challenges. It's no secret that there are obstacles on the way to the goal that block our resources. Positive habits can be a powerful tool for us to increase productivity and quality of life. They define us and shape our individuality. In today’s material we will discuss what these habits are, how to increase your own productivity and reduce stress levels.
The enemies of personal productivity
At the daily pace of work, information pours in from everywhere, tasks multiply, and the workload increases. In such conditions, concentration has become an extremely valuable skill.
What increases the level of stress and information load?
Information noise. An endless stream of notifications from instant messengers, social networks, e-mail. The temptation to “just watch” news, memes, videos. Multitasking, which in reality turns out to be “switching” between tasks and, as a result, reduces the results of each.
Internal interference. Anxious thoughts, fears, doubts, fatigue, apathy, dissatisfaction with work and personal life.
Working atmosphere. Conversations with colleagues, uncomfortable workplace.
The Marketsplash chart shows the main reasons for loss of attention at work: 80% – talkative colleagues, 70% – office noise, 69% – frequent use of a smartphone.
How can you help yourself be productive?
It is a process that requires planning, self-discipline and awareness. Here are some tips that may help you:
Regular work and training schedule. For example, it is better to take courses every week for an hour (or even 10 minutes every day) than once a month for four hours at once.
Turn off notifications on your phone or computer and create a quiet and relaxing workspace. The Pomodoro technique will help you with this: by setting a timer for 25 minutes, you only need to focus on work. When finished, take a five-minute break.
Use a scheduler or task management appto organize your time effectively. For example, not all tasks have the same priority. Determine which ones are more important and focus on them.
Calm, thoughtful walks help relieve stress and awaken new ideas.
After the workshop make it a habit to ask a few clarifying questions from your managers or colleagues. This will help you better absorb information and remember details.
How to form a habit?
When creating a new habit, it is important to clearly define the starting point. Without this, the sequence of actions may remain inactive, like a file that cannot be accessed.
Example: Tie the habit of starting work tasks to a morning ritual, such as the first sip of coffee.
Consistency is the key to automaticity. Each step must be performed strictly in order. Objects must always be in place, and changes in this order can cause confusion.
A habit is reinforced through a reward after completing an action. The reward may be small, but it is inevitable. For example, 20 squats before treating yourself to a delicious breakfast.
In some cases, the opposite is required – to break the connection with an existing unwanted habit. This approach includes searching for and eradicating its starting point.
To form a habit, it is important to choose a reliable period of time. If you find yourself frequently distracted, try a flexible approach such as “watch a training video at least three times a week at any time.” Use reminders.
Productivity Tips
Let's look at a few non-trivial habits that will help you increase your productivity and quality of life:
Meditation in motion: Instead of traditional meditation, try moving meditation. This could be a walk, dance, yoga or even cleaning the house.
“2 Minutes” Technique: If a task takes less than two minutes, do it right away. This will help reduce your to-do list and reduce stress from unfinished tasks.
Favorite playlists: Create a playlist with music that helps you focus.
A change of scenery: If you are remote, you can regularly change the location of your work or study. This could be a cafe, library, park or other place.
The habit-locomotive method involves actively working on one habit, which leads to the formation of other useful habits. This allows you to achieve greater changes with less effort. For example, systematically learning a foreign language using a specific curriculum can lead to a more organized schedule and regular sleep.
To achieve more in life, you don't always need to make big changes. It's often small but permanent changes in behavior that can make our lives more productive and happier. Developing a habit takes time and effort, so be patient.
