4 STEPS TO GREATER PRODUCTIVITY

1. Create better to-do lists

If your to-do list reads more like a grocery list,you are probably too overwhelmed to get much done each day. Decide on just a few things that you'd like to accomplish in a day and focus on those. Knowing you'll be able to achieve four tasks will motivate you to actually do them. Don't make all four tasks large ones, though. Have a good balance of small and larger tasks. You only have so much time and energy in a day. You won't be able to declutter your home in one day, but if you decide that you will get rid of three items each day, you will slowly but surely make progress. Breaking your unmanageable to-do list into smaller parts that you can tackle day-by-day will ease the pressure and result in you accomplishing more.

2. Minimize distractions

If you allow them to, distractions will cut into your productivity. Distractions can be anything from television and video games to texting and replying to emails. If you want to be more productive, you will need to learn how to reduce these distractions. Turn off all sound notifications on your phone so that you aren't alerted to everything that comes in. If you reach for your phone every few minutes, put it out of arms reach until you have to time to check it. By not picking it up continuously, you can focus on finishing the task at hand. Break your habit of turning on the television just because you're home. It's too easy to waste hours watching instead of doing things you'd prefer to accomplish. When you reduce distractions, you will increase your productivity.

3. Get a big task out of the way early

If you accomplish one of the bigger items on your to-do list early, you will be inspired to get the rest done because you know they'll be easier and take less time. If you want to workout and can do it in the morning before work, that would be a good choice, especially if working out is something you struggle todo. By getting it done first thing, you don't have to think about it for the rest of the day,but you'll ride the high from it all day long.Smaller items will seem like a cinch after a large one.

4. Tidy up before you go to bed

Don't leave messes for yourself to clean up in the morning. This is not only a waste of time,but it will set the wrong tone for the day.Instead of waking up and having to do dishes,clean your workspace, and pick up the kid's toys, do it the night before so that you can wake up without having to worry about what's leftover from the day before.