“It is 6 months to 2020″… This message has been trending on social media since the beginning of June! Just like that the year we just screamed ” Happy New Year” for is about to end and you’re wondering, where did the time go? At the beginning of the year we all set goals we intend to achieve this year but accomplishing all the things you desire requires forethought and proper planning, along with a continuous supply of motivation and focus. Here are 7 productivity tips to help you stay focused throughout the rest of the year.
- Set daily target/goals
Start everyday by diving into goals with each clear purpose of achieving them. Think of this as a detailed to-do list of prioritized daily tasks. Keeping a to-do list is the simplest and easiest proven tool to ensure you stay focused and increase your productivity. Ensure to set reasonable targets for each day!
- Set deadlines and stick to them
One of the biggest enemies of productivity and achievement is procrastination. A great way to control procrastination is setting deadlines either self imposed or with your boss or client. Ensure they are reasonable and sufficiently spaced out to accomplish the task.
- Distribute your time
Distributing your time allows your brain to isolate a task, so you can completely focus on that one thing without constantly breaking your concentration for something else. Zoom through your tasks by giving yourself some “do not disturb” time.
- Know your body clock
Pay attention to your body clock. Most people tend to be most alert in the morning, and concentration often starts to slide in the afternoon. The key is to match your highest priority work to your most productive hours of the day. This will increase your productivity and help you achieve your desired goals.
- Use a Timer
Train your brain to hyper-focus on a task. For example; decide on a task you want to accomplish. Next, set your timer for 25 minutes and work diligently for that time. Take a short break (5 minutes) when it rings, then reset the timer and go again.
- Exercise often
Everybody knows that exercising is good for the body, but what you may not know is that exercises are also good for your brain as well. Working out has been shown to be an effective way to improve your attention, increase learning potential and boost your memory.
- Take a caffeine boost
Studies have shown that caffeine, which is a natural stimulant helps to improve your mental focus and concentration. You may want to limit your consumption to one cup per day because the more you drink caffeinated beverages, the more your body gets used to the stimulant and the less impact it has on you.
Written by Niyi Agbaje