How to Increase Your Productivity

how to increase your productivity

On average, most people work between 5 and 9 hours per day. If you’re like most people, your workday is a blend of low-velocity work mixed with continual distraction (e.g., social media and email). Most people’s “working time” is not done at peak performance levels. When most people are working, they do so in a relaxed fashion. This makes sense, as they have plenty time to get everything done.

However, when you are results-oriented, rather than “being busy,” you’re 100 percent on when you’re working and 100 percent off when you’re not. Why do anything halfway? If you’re going to work, you might as well really work. Here are some ideas on how to increase your productivity and reduce the time your work takes:

Focus on the Most Important Task (MIT)

A Most Important Task (MIT) is a critical task that will create the most significant results. Every day, create a list of two or three MITs, and focus on getting them done as soon as possible. Keep this list separate from your general to-do list. A “Most Important Task” (MIT) is a critical task that will create the most important results you’re looking to achieve. Everything on your plate is not critically important, so don’t treat everything on your task list equally. By taking a few minutes to identify a few tasks as particularly important, you’ll make it easier to focus on achieving them first.

Work in short bursts

The Pomodoro Technique is all about working in short, productive, intensely focused bursts and then giving yourself a brief break. It’s incredibly simple, in that all it requires is a timer, and it allows you to break down a large task into manageable intervals. Here’s how you do it:

  • Choose a task
  • Set your timer for 25 minutes
  • Work on the task until the timer ends
  • Take a short break (around 5 minutes)
  • Every 4 Pomodoro sessions, take a longer break (15-30 minutes).

This technique allows you to accomplish a significant amount over the course of the day while still taking adequate breaks. The relatively short time of each session also allows you to intensely focus without becoming mentally fatigued.

Read more: Avoiding Burnout in Your Work Life

Know Your Most Productive Hours

In its natural circadian rhythm, the body has cycles of intense energy with drop offs of lower energy called ultradian rhythm. If you can find those intenser energy spurts in your day and take 90-minute time slots to focus and work, you take full advantage of the energy peaks and troughs that occur throughut your day. Try working for 90 minutes and then resting for 20-30 minutes. In discussing peak performance in a 1993 study, Anders Ericsson pointed out that those rest periods between intense work sessions are essential for improvement.

Most people pay little attention to the natural rhythms of their body and use stimulants like coffee to power through periods of low energy. This almost always results in a complete crash in mid afternoon, which corresponds with a trough in your ultradian rhythm. Working in 90-minute bursts, however, allows you to correlate your maximum energy levels with your task list, which then gives your productivity a major boost. You’re working with your body instead of against it.

What are your suggestions for getting more productive and organized in your workday?

Richard Cino, LCSW-R - NYC Therapist
Latest posts by Richard Cino, LCSW-R - NYC Therapist (see all)

5 comments

  1. Thanks for this, Rich! So many people struggle with focus and productivity, especially with so many distractions at our fingertips. These suggestions are quite helpful, and I especially like the idea of working in short, undistracted bursts. I also think turning off your phone or disconnecting from the internet when possible can help keep work times as productive as possible!

  2. This is so helpful, Rich! Getting the best productivity out of a work day can be extremely challenging. I really like the suggestion of working in short bursts and setting a timer. I think this is a great way to challenge yourself throughout the day. Personally, I tend to avoid things like social media while at work as I find it to be a huge distractor in my workday. Great blog!

  3. Productivity can be such a challenge, so this blog post is incredibly helpful. I am particularly drawn to the concept of making use of your most productive hours. There is so much we can learn by tuning into our bodies, and I love how you show this can even come in handy to make the most of your work. Great post, Rich!

  4. This is a great blog, Rich! There are so many distractions in our lives, and we face a mounting social pressure to be productive. I particularly like the idea of tuning into our specific bodies and noticing when is the best time of day for us to get things done. I find that giving my mind and body a break can really improve my productivity.

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