We’ve all known that person who always seems to be getting things done. Whether a friend or a colleague, this is the person whose work is always done early. The one who somehow manages to finish hour-long tasks in 20 minutes. The one people describe as a robot or machine, because surely no simple human could work as quickly as they do. 

And yet these people exist, cranking away at maximum efficiency. What do these highly productive people have in common? Norton National is here to help break down how to be more productive in 5 simple steps!

Don’t Manage Your Time, Manage Your Energy

This sounds a bit strange, but hear me out. Take a moment to do some self-reflection. You probably have noticed that you have more energy at certain times of the day. The type of energy you have in the morning, afternoon, and evening will all be different, so determine which tasks require more energy and schedule them during the times that you aren’t reaching for that sugar free Red Bull. 

Prepare the Night Before

I swear by this! I was never a morning person until I forced myself to be. If you spend 15 minutes a night organizing a to-do list or preparing your workspace for tomorrow, you will feel much more motivated and prepared in the morning. Taking only 15 minutes a night; saves you an hour the next day. “Lead your day, or your day will lead you.” If this practice blows your mind, you should really check in tune with time blocking – and see what amazing measures that can do for you. McCall has a whole class on this. 

Throw Your Phone Away

Not really, but kinda! Cell phones are distracting. ‘Do not disturb’ should become your best friend when you’re busy with important tasks. Keeping your phone out of view and on silent will ensure to help you stay focused at the task in hand instead of what Facebook is notifying you about. 

Sit Up and “Now Walk It Out” – Unk

This is for all my peeps that sit at a desk all day, the struggle is real. Staring at a screen, hours on end, can be exhausting. When you sit hunched over for long periods of time, your diaphragm pushes against the bottom of your lungs which hinders your ability to breathe deeply. Sitting up straight while you work can help you breathe easier and as a result, your brain will get more oxygen and can concentrate better. 

Standing up from your desk every few hours also helps with brain function for the same reasons. Get your body moving and the blood flowing! Whether you do some stretching at your desk, go for a walk, or bounce on your yoga ball at your desk, taking a break from the desk will re-energize you like the pink Energizer Bunny. 

We Love a Good Morning Pregame

No, this does not mean getting tipsy before work. Establishing a morning routine can lead to higher levels of productivity to start off the day. Your pregame could include a glass of water, 10 minutes of yoga, or waking up the same time every day (yes, even on your off days). McCall call’s her’s the McMorning. 

Create a set of tasks that you complete every morning to signal your brain to activate into work mode. A pre-game routine helps you tackle the lack of motivation you might be feeling when you need to get a task done. 

So, if you had to guess, which one of these tips did I go with to help myself on this fine Wednesday? If you guessed a combination of all of them, ding ding! Follow us on social media and find this post to let us know your additional tips and tricks!