8 Ways to Be More Productive in 2024

Woman using a cell phone and laptop while sitting in a booth

Do you want to be more productive this year at work, home, or school?

Would you like to brush up on your productivity skills for the better?

When it comes to getting things done, you can’t go wrong going back to basics.

Mastering basic productivity skills can make a world of difference in your daily routines.

In this post, I offer a list of eight ways to be more productive in 2024.

Whenever you need a productivity boost in the New Year, try one or more of these basic tips.

You’ll be glad you did!

Shorten your to-do list.

Have a mile-long to-do list?

Take a moment to trim your daily to-do list down to three to five tasks.

A smaller list will allow you to focus your energy and attention on what’s important which means you’ll more likely to complete items on your list.

Begin by making a list of tasks, and then prioritize items, one by one.

Need help identifying which tasks are urgent and important? You can evaluate each of your tasks using the Eisenhower Box method.

And if you’re looking for even more help with your to-do list, check out my online course.

Put your personal time first.

Your calendar doesn’t have to be completely filled with external activities in order for it to be important.

Your calendar is important because it is your calendar! That being said, take the proactive approach when it comes to your personal time.

Physically schedule personal time such as vacation or leave time, exercise, hobbies, recreation, and other activities into your calendar.

What’s more, treat your time just like you would any other appointment, meeting, or event; once your calendar is booked, it’s booked.

Take time to track your progress.

Having trouble keeping track of your progress on a project or assignment? Why not use a visual aid?

Having a visual representation of all of your hard work can be incredibly motivating.

Try tracking your work sessions using a hanging wall calendar or calendar printable, jot down your progress in a notebook or journal, or create your very own productivity diary. Yes, things may seem like slow going at first, but you’ll see marked progress, day by day, which can be extremely exciting.

Get adequate rest.

Here’s a quick question for you: are you getting enough rest during your daily routine? There’s many ways to get adequate rest during the day.

This tip, however, requires you to keep your eyes open…and to think creatively! Where in your day can you make sure you get adequate rest?

For starters, how about taking your full lunch break everyday so you have time to recover from your work or studies?

Or how about fully disconnecting from digital devices, social media, and email for a couple of hours so you can relax and unwind? Or how about keeping to a reasonable bedtime?

Be more flexible.

When things don’t go as planned during your day, remember that flexibility can mean the difference between getting things done and not getting things done.

Explore different ways of being flexible in your work. How can you be productive when things go a bit haywire?

For instance, if the internet goes out at work, could you take care of some filing, or organize your receipts for your expense report? If an in-person meeting is suddenly not possible, how about holding an impromptu conference call?

When it comes to getting things done, think flexible thoughts, and see what you can accomplish!

Go offline every now and then.

We may live in the digital age, but it’s a good idea to take a mental break from technology once in awhile.

Try completing basic tasks by hand, such as making simple mathematic calculations on a piece of paper, writing out a to-do list, reading a physical book, or dialing a phone number manually.

And if you think you can’t be productive when you switch to analog mode, think again!

Taking the time to complete a task manually will make you slow down and focus more on what you’re doing. You may even find an error or have a flash of insight that leads you to be more productive during your time online.

Make solid decisions.

Life is full of gray areas, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be firm in your day-to-day decisions.

Just imagine for a moment: what if you could eliminate unnecessary stress and flip-flopping during your day?

Here’s an easy way to do so: answer questions using only a “yes” or “no” response (using words such as “maybe” and “might” can slow down the decision-making process).

You’ll stop wasting valuable mental energy and can focus your attention on what really matters.

Carry a small notebook and pen with you.

Be ready for those flashes of insight, fabulous ideas, and list, after list, after list!

A plain old notebook and a pen can be incredibly powerful productivity tools. Sure, digital devices are handy, but nothing compares to writing things down by hand (plus, there’s no need to worry about charging batteries or finding a signal!).

You can quickly jot down ideas and thoughts, write a story, take notes at a meeting, draw a map for a lost traveler, plan a party, draw or doodle in your spare time, leave a note for someone, write a shopping list, or brainstorm vacation travel plans.

How about you? Which of these eight tips resonates with you the most? Which of the above tips are you going to try out this year? How might you modify or interpret the above tips for your daily routines? Join the conversation and leave a comment below!

5 Unexpected Things You Need to Organize a Work Notebook Mockup
About the Author

Rashelle

Rashelle Isip is a New York City-based productivity consultant who helps successful entrepreneurs and business owners manage their time and energy so they can reduce stress, work less, and make more money in their businesses. She has been featured in Fast Company, Forbes, NBC News, The Washington Post, NPR, and The Atlantic. Get her free guide, 5 Unexpected Things You Need to Organize a Work Notebook, by clicking here.

13 Comments

  1. Michelle

    Great list! I really enjoy reading all your excellent information via email or on Pinterest. Thank you for all you do and may you have a fabulous year!

    Reply
    • Rashelle

      You are most welcome, Michelle! And thank you so much for your kind words…you really made my day. 🙂 Here’s wishing you a wonderful and productive new year!

      Reply
  2. Shivani Vyas

    Such amazing and simple tips! Love this list!!

    Reply
    • Rashelle

      I’m glad you like them, Shivani!

      Reply
    • Rashelle

      Thanks very much, Regina! I had fun writing it. 🙂

      Reply
    • Rashelle

      Thank you, Sandy! I’m glad you enjoyed the post.

      Reply
  3. Venise Vinegar

    Love each and everyone of those tips. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Rashelle

      Wonderful! I’m glad to hear you like the tips, Venise.

      Reply
  4. GruSer

    Last year was very productive, I finished more than 600 tasks and 7 projects. I use iSmart.Life app for planning. This is a very simple and free web app. I recommend trying, especially since they have a fully functional demo that does not require registration…

    Reply
  5. Botaki

    Using more of a notebook will come handy for me. I had transitioned to electronic tools but they do not do the magic like the physical note book. Thanks for the article

    Reply
    • Rashelle

      You’re quite welcome, Botaki! I’m glad you enjoyed the article.

      Reply

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