5 Useful strategies to get things done
At times, it seems as if our to-do lists are endless. It’s all too tempting to neglect or completely overlook certain tasks that require our attention. So, why not stay sharp and productive with these five proven strategies that will supercharge all of your performances, and get things done!
01. Begin with physical activity
To maintain peak health, individuals, including entrepreneurs and business leaders, should prioritize incorporating three to four gym sessions into their weekly routine. This is particularly crucial on days when you find yourself glued to a computer screen for extended periods. Our brains are not naturally wired for such prolonged periods of screen time, and fatigue is likely to set in, inevitably affecting your productivity.
Regular physical exercise exerts a positive influence on your cognitive functions, vitality, and emotional well-being, all of which significantly enhance your concentration levels and, ultimately, your daily accomplishments. These advantageous effects stem from a variety of physiological responses that occur during exercise, such as:
- Elevating your heart rate and widening your blood vessels, facilitating improved blood flow to your brain.
- Activating muscle groups associated with precise motor control, enhancing the supply of oxygen and blood to the most critical brain regions.
02. Ensure you enjoy a restful night’s sleep
Did you know that many individuals report not feeling adequately rested upon waking in the morning? On average, people sleep for about seven hours each night, with only a fortunate few managing to secure more than nine hours, while a minority even obtain less than five and a half hours of sleep.
Sleep plays a critical role in sustaining optimal brain function throughout the day, and get things done, by regulating our levels of adenosine. This neurotransmitter is responsible for generating ATP, the molecule that stores the energy required for the body’s biochemical reactions. Insufficient adenosine has been demonstrated to diminish alertness, induce fatigue, and hinder our capacity to concentrate and get things done.
03. Establish your daily objectives
Another vital aspect of boosting your productivity during the workday is establishing clear, measurable objectives regarding what you wish to accomplish. When you define your goals, whether they take the form of a to-do list, specific numerical targets, or a particular project, you channel your efforts toward maximizing your output.
Commence each day with a clear understanding of what you need to achieve. You can create daily, weekly, or monthly goals (or all three) and record your objectives to get things done in a location where you can regularly review them.
Even if your to-do list doesn’t comprise tasks that elicit waves of enthusiasm and pride (such as tax-related duties), the sense of accomplishment derived from checking off boxes and completing tasks remains a highly satisfying experience.
04. Ensure you have the necessary tools at your disposal
While the adage ‘only losers blame their tools’ holds true in many contexts, when it comes to productivity, having the right resources is crucial for positioning yourself to get things done and ‘win the day’.
From a robust internet connection to applications that help you stay on course, having access to the appropriate tools can significantly impact your business performance to get things done. To streamline your workflow, consider incorporating these apps:
- Utilize Harvest for efficient time tracking.
- Opt for Basecamp or Trello to facilitate online collaboration.
- Employ Slack for seamless communication with team members.
05. Manage your smartphone usage to get things done
With the multitude of distractions from emails, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, not to mention texting and calling, it’s easy for your smartphone use to interfere with a truly productive day.
Establish time limits for the apps you find yourself using most frequently, and be mindful when you instinctively reach for your phone during moments of reflection. You could start by setting a rule to check your phone for only five minutes once an hour, or perhaps limit its use to just during lunchtime. This practice will help prevent time from slipping away in the palm of your hand and to surely get things done!
