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The Easy Guide to a Productive You

The following post is from Prerna of The Mom Writes: The Easy Guide to a Productive You

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December is moving rapidly, and soon, we’ll be celebrating a New Year! I don’t know about you, but I’m already planning for 2013 to be my most productive year ever.

How did you ask?

Here is my easy guide to increased productivity. Will you join me in becoming a more productive person?

Have a top 3 to-do list.

That’s right. Starting now {yeah, am not waiting till 2013!}, I will be writing down my top 3 tasks for the day. However, since I am managing a business, a blog, and a baby, I will be making top 3 lists for both the home and my work.

Why Do This?  Having just 3 important tasks to finish is doable and practical. Not only that, it gives you a productivity high of being able to see that you’ve knocked off 3 biggies and motivates you to work your way down the list as well. Win!

Trick your mind into being laser-focused.

I know how everyone {including yours truly} talks about being focused. But it isn’t easy. I know that. So, to be more focused on the tasks at hand, my sneaky trick is to trick my mind into thinking that I’m in an examination with a deadline on my head. I need to finish what I’m doing before I am allowed out of the room.

I work hard. I work fast. And I finish what I’m doing feeling awesome. You may want to try a different mind trick but if this works for you as well, go ahead!

Why Do This? When we don’t have the pressure to finish something, more often than not, we take things easy and coast along.  Knowing that we only have 20 minutes before we stop working on an article drives us to push ourselves harder and focus better.

Use the plan that works for you.

I’ve shared earlier how one particular planning method may work for me but not for you. After trying several applications and methods, I love my paper-and-pen notepad and trusty productivity tools. You may prefer a digital app or no tools at all. The idea is to have a plan and a method that works for you. Whether it is a popular choice or not is immaterial.  Before you sign up for a new productivity app, ask yourself if you’ll REALLY use it.

Why Do This? Sometimes we get so caught up in what others are recommending and what’s being touted as the next big thing that we forget to take into account our own personalities, lifestyles, and preferences. After wasting time struggling with these productivity tools, we end up going back to what works for us. So, why waste time, to begin with?

Eat right and sleep enough.

This, my friends will be my big goal for 2013. I sleep too little and eat too much. Not eating right, not sleeping enough, and not drinking enough water are, in fact, big causes of unproductivity. How do you think you’ll function when you load your system with too much junk and too little rest and hydration? Eating right will not only nourish your body but will also keep your mind alert and your body active. Getting enough rest will mean you can concentrate better and be less irritable and cranky.

Why Do This? For all the reasons mentioned above. Simple. Time to get started.

How will YOU be a more productive person in 2013? 

Prerna Malik is a mom, a wife, a writer, and a woman who believes in being positively productive, parenting with love, and creating a home that invites you to put your feet up and relax. Find her sharing her journey and experiences with productivity and parenting at The Mom Writes.