8 Practical Ways to Be More Productive Every Day

Do you want to be more productive this year in your business, at work, or at home?

As a productivity expert with 15+ years of experience helping people better manage their time and energy, I encourage people to challenge their beliefs about productivity from that of hustle and grind, to ease and flow.

Being more productive isn’t about working as fast as you can or as completing as many tasks as you can. It’s about working intentionally, comfortably, and sustainably over the long term.

In this article, you’ll learn about eight practical ways you can be more productive in the new year everyday and for years to come.

You’ll also learn what it means to be more productive, why you should be more productive, and the professional and personal benefits of doing so.

Before we get started, if you want a simple daily structure to help you prioritize your work, my free Productivity Mindset Planner™ is a good place to start.

Key Takeaways

Table of Contents

What does it mean to be more productive?

If you’re running your own business as an entrepreneur or working in an office, you’ll naturally want to complete more client work or produce more goods for customers.

After all, more available and ready products and services can mean more sales. But if you want to be more productive, should you only focus on doing more or producing more?

As a productivity expert, I tend to view things a little bit differently. In my book, if someone wants to be more productive in their business or career, they should be able to consistently complete tasks while working both comfortably and sustainably for the long term.

Productivity is not only about getting things done or producing services, goods, or items at a rapid pace. Rather, it’s how you get to the end result. Over, and over, and over again.

You should be able to come in to work every single morning feeling refreshed. You should be able to complete the tasks on your daily to-do list. And you should make some progress on projects and assignments.

After all, there’s no sense striving to be more productive on a daily basis if you’re feeling tired, exhausted, and stressed in the process.

Hopefully, after reading this article, you will want to think differently about productivity as well!

Why should you be more productive in the new year?

Okay, so you’ve decided you want to be more productive in the new year. But why exactly is that a good idea?

Here are three key reasons as to why you should make some plans to be more productive this year.

More efficient use of resources

Have you been meaning to use existing tools, materials, or resources in your business, but haven’t yet done so?

Perhaps you have a new client management program, brand new work tools sitting in a storage closet, or an executive assistant or virtual assistant asking for more daily assignments.

When you find ways to be more productive in your routine, you’ll learn how to efficiently and effectively use what’s already available to you, without undue waste.

There’s no need to spend additional time, energy, and finances searching for or using products, tools, or apps. You can simply use what’s already available to you in your business.

And this in turn makes you more productive because you’re finally using the tools, materials, and resources you’ve already invested in months earlier.

Less stress and fewer logjams

Having a productive workflow at the office can help you feel less stressed in your daily routine. Why is this the case?

Well, for starters, there’s no guesswork as to when or where things will happen during your day. For instance, you know exactly when you’ll work on a client project, marketing report, or take a tour of a new vendor facility.

There’s no need to worry about finding time in your schedule as you’ve already set aside ample time in which to do your work.

Secondly, a productive workflow often means fewer delays, interruptions, and setbacks. When you take the time to clearly communicate needs, and address and solve problems, concerns, and challenges, as they arise, you’ll find you’re more on top of your work in general.

And that can mean a smoother work experience not only for you, but for your staff, workers, employees, clients, customers, contractors, and vendors.

Increased flexibility

Unfortunately, most people tend to to view routines, structures, and habits as being confining or limiting. The reality is that these frameworks can create a solid foundation that allows you be flexible in your daily routine.

You see, when you have the basics of administration covered, there’s no need to worry about things falling through the cracks. You have a built-in system in place that can help you maintain your business’ workflow and keep things running like clockwork.

This might look like having an administrative system in place so invoices are paid on a regular basis or having a business hour protocol locked in so clients and customers know when you’re ready and open for business.

What’s more, should things go awry, you’ll have the flexibility to devote your time, energy, and awareness as you so choose. That flexibility could be used in dealing with a family emergency, solving a vendor payment issue, or getting your website back up and running after a brief delay.

What are some professional benefits when you strive to be more productive?

Anytime is a good time to learn to be more productive for your business and professional life.

Here are some potential professional benefits of being more productive in your business. You can:

• Streamline daily, weekly, and monthly administrative tasks
• Identify potential delays, setbacks, and blockages in client and customer work
• Save time and energy in meetings, events, and business gatherings
• Reduce mistakes, errors, or miscalculations in your work or that of your staff
• Complete tasks, projects, and assignments in a timely manner on a regular basis

What are some personal benefits when you strive to be more productive?

Your business and professional life aren’t the only things that may benefit from your interest in being more productive.

Here’s just potential personal benefits of being more productive. You may have:

• Better understanding and awareness of work life balance
• Improved confidence in managing your personal affairs
• Have adequate time for meals, sleep, vacation, and personal leave
• More time to spend with your family and friends
• Feel more accomplished overall in your work and career

8 practical ways to be more productive this year

When it comes to getting things done, you can’t go wrong going back to basics. That’s why mastering basic productivity skills can make a world of difference in your daily routines.

So, whenever you need a productivity boost throughout the year, try one or more of these basic productivity tips.

Now, some of these tips may seem incredibly simple and obvious (and they are). But that’s exactly why they are so practical.

If you truly want to be more productive in your business and work, then give at at least one of these tips a good try for a solid week.

You may just find a more productive way of working that suits you for the better!

Shorten your to-do list

Take a moment to look at your daily to-do list. Now, choose three to five tasks that you’d like to complete today.

Next, take a moment to prioritize each item, one by one. Now, ask yourself, which tasks are most 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.

And you can easily repeat the process for your daily to-do list tomorrow.

A smaller list will allow you to focus your energy and attention on what’s important. This also means you’ll be more likely to actually complete the items on your list everyday, once and for all.

Try it for yourself! Start by making a brief list of tasks. Sometimes if I’m wrestling with creating a short to-do list for the day, I’ll use a small sticky note to help me stay focused and keep tasks contained.

I’ll write down three to five items on the sticky note that I will no-kidding complete that day. Then, I’ll either stick the note in my planner or on my computer monitor for easy reference.

Are you guilty of having a mile-long to-do list every single day? You’re not alone. Many business owners and professionals have fallen into the poor habit of creating incredibly long and unhelpful daily to-do lists.

The problem with these lists is that they become longer and longer. That can be disheartening in and of itself. What’s more, you find you still don’t accomplish what truly needs to get done at the end of the day, week, or year.

Put your personal time first

Put your personal time first for yourself and physically schedule this time into your calendar. Take a moment now to actually write it into your calendar so it’s properly scheduled and accounted for.

This may be adding your vacation or leave time, exercise, hobbies, recreation, and other activities to your calendar. Don’t say you’ll squeeze in your gym workout or find time later for that trip to the dry cleaners’. It will be near impossible to find time in an already packed schedule.

What’s more, you should treat your time just like you would any other appointment, meeting, or event. Once your calendar is booked, it’s booked. Honor your schedule and it pay you back in spades.

Remember, your calendar doesn’t have to be completely filled with external activities in order for it to be important. I regularly remind my clients that, “Your calendar is important because it is your calendar!” This helps them shift their focus from filling up their calendar to considering what’s actually on their calendar.

Your calendar and it’s activities are important simply because they hold your unique skills, interests, talents, and knowledge. No one in the world will have a calendar just like you, so it’s all the more reason to put yourself and your personal time first.

Take time to track your progress

Track your progress in any and all aspects of your work sessions by using a hanging wall calendar or calendar printable, jot down your progress in a notebook or journal, or create your very own productivity diary.

The method used to track your progress doesn’t matter so much as that you simply do so. Yes, things may seem like slow going at first, but you’ll see marked progress, day by day. And that can be extremely exciting!

Having a visual and physical representation of your hard work can be incredibly motivating. Once you see your progress moving along, bit by bit, you’ll start to realize just how far you’ve come since starting your work.

We don’t always give credit to the use of analog tools in today’s digital world. But there’s something to be said for being able to see and touch your work progress when you’re working on a project or assignment.

If you want a handy way to track your progress everyday, take a look at my Productivity Mindset Planner™. It’s designed as a daily check-in to help you shift out of overwhelm and into intentional action.

Get adequate rest from work

Take a full break from your work during the work day during both work breaks and individual tasks.

For starters, how about taking your full lunch break everyday so you have time to recover from your work appointments? What about heading to the local cafe for a cup of coffee or tea to stretch your legs or get a breath of fresh air?

Or how about fully disconnecting from digital devices and social media when you’re in a meeting? What about putting off checking your email while working on an in-depth client report?

There’s many ways to get adequate rest during the day. But you need to keep your eyes open…and think creatively!

Ask yourself whether you’re getting enough rest during your daily business or work routine. And by rest, I don’t necessarily mean going to sleep at a reasonable hour, although, that’s always a good idea!

Where in your busy work day can you make sure you’re getting adequate rest? Where would a break be most welcome from your daily work so you can return to it with a clear mind?

Be more flexible

Explore different ways of being flexible in your business or work on a regular basis. Ask yourself how can you be productive when things go a bit haywire in your business, at the office, or simply in your daily routine.

For instance, if the internet goes out at work, could you take care of some physical paper filing? How about organizing those receipts for your expense report? Returning unwanted notebooks to the office supply closet?

If an in-person meeting is impossible, how about holding an impromptu video conference call for next week? Or rescheduling that meeting? Or holding a good old-fashioned phone call?

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

Believe it or not, this is a big part of productivity: being able to live in the moment.

When it comes to getting things done, think flexible thoughts. You’ll be amazed at what you can truly accomplish!

Go offline every now and then

Take a mental break from technology once in awhile in your work to help you better focus on whatever is you’re doing at the present moment.

Try completing basic tasks by hand. Make simple mathematical calculations on a piece of paper. Write out a to-do list on a notepad. Read a physical book instead of an eBook. Dial a phone number manually on your phone.

We may live in the digital age, but it’s always good idea to slow down in your work. When you go offline, you may find an error or have a flash of insight. And that in turn may lead you to be more productive during your time online. You never know until you try…

And if you think you can’t be more productive when you switch to analog mode, think again. Remember, the digital world is still relatively young.

And we still do a lot of things as humans in the analog world that are rewarding in and of themselves, from walking, writing, eating, smiling, talking, and laughing!

Make solid decisions

Think of a situation, challenge, or issue that needs your decision. It can be big or small. Give yourself adequate time to think it over.

Then, simply answer the question using only a “yes” or “no” response. And just like that, you’ve made a decision in your business and can move on with your day.

And if you’re thinking of using “maybe” or “I don’t know,” refrain from doing so. You’ll only slow down the decision-making process.

Stop wasting valuable mental energy and can focus your attention on what really matters. The same goes if you’re waffling about whether or not to delegate a task to someone. The more you wait, the longer it will take for the task to be completed.

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

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

Carry a small notebook and pen with you

Carry a small plain notebook and a pen to readily capture those those flashes of insight, fabulous ideas, and list, after list!

You can quickly jot down ideas and thoughts, write a story, take notes at a meeting, or draw a map for a lost traveler.

You could plan a project, leave a note for someone, write a draft thank you note, write a list, or brainstorm vacation travel plans.

Sure, digital devices are handy. But nothing compares to writing things down by hand. Studies have shown people remember information better when they’ve written things by hand.

What’s more, a small notebook and pen require little maintenance and upkeep. There’s no need to worry about charging batteries or finding a signal! You can simply open up your notebook and get to work on whatever’s on your mind.

FAQ: Be more productive this year

Conclusion

Productivity isn’t about doing more just for the sake of doing more. It’s about working smarter so you can focus on what truly drives your business forward.

By trying just one or two of these strategies, you can free up time in your schedule and reduce stress. Remember, it’s small consistent changes that build strong and lasting habits.

If you want to build strong habits on a daily basis, check out my Productivity Mindset Planner™. If you want to better manage your time and energy throughout the year, take a look at my time management guide. And if you’d like to uncover where you might falling short when it comes to your daily productivity, book a free Strategy Session with me.

Rashelle Isip Productivity Coach and Founder of The Order Expert®

Rashelle Isip is a New York City-based productivity coach, consultant, and founder of The Order Expert®. With over 15 years of experience, she helps entrepreneurs and executives replace the "hustle and grind" mindset with one of "ease and flow." Rashelle is a former contributing columnist for Inc.com and Lifehack.org, and has been featured in Fast Company, Forbes, NBC News, The Washington Post, and NPR. She is the author of four books, including The Order Expert’s Guide to Time Management. When not helping clients master their schedules, she enjoys scouting for practical, well-designed office supplies. Learn more at TheOrderExpert.com.

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