How to have your most productive day yet? 17 tips!

17 tips for having a productive day

One of the things we all tend to struggle with is time management. Some learn it early on, while others only get around to actively implementing time management methods that actually work.

The one thing everyone agrees on is that it’s never too early or too late to start managing your time properly. We fall into the trap of thinking our time is limited daily due to hours at work and in traffic, but the reality is that you’ve got plenty of time available if you know how to manage the hours of free time.

Keep reading if you’re curious about time management and the best ways to amplify your productivity each day.

Time management tips to utilise today

1. Have a plan

The most important starting point is to get your planning in place. No effective time management can come from jumping randomly through tasks. You need to sit down and create a strategy/plan that includes all the events, tasks and to-dos from the day. When planning your day, it’s important to start with the most important tasks and move on to the least important ones.

2. Switch the to-do list for a priority list

When you’re busy with your planning, it’s vital to take into consideration the most important tasks and what needs to get done as soon as possible. The things that can’t be delayed and the things that can. Structure your priority list and check off the items as you complete them.

3. Have an early morning

One of the best tips from successful time managers is to make the most of your day by getting up early. The most productive people start their day by getting up early, doing some exercise and even meditating before ticking off any tasks. It clears the head and gives you that energy boost you need to tackle your day plans.

4. Break down your tasks

Trying to tackle massive tasks head-on is not always the best idea, as it can be overwhelming and lead to less quality work. Instead of trying to do everything at once, take the time to break the task up into smaller pieces and tackle them one by one. Breaking up tasks into smaller pieces can give you a clearer goal and help with the flow of your productivity.

5. It’s all about decisions

Every single day, you get 24 hours to use as you please. The 24 hours can look the same as yesterday all year through, or you can implement planning and productivity strategies that allow you to live every day to the fullest. It’s all about decision-making.

6. Learn to delegate

If you want to manage your time properly, you will need to learn how to delegate tasks. If you’re in an environment where there are multiple people available to assist, it’s time to learn how to work in a team and divide tasks based on strengths. This will not only create better relationships with team members feeling more valued but also ensure quality work gets put out.

7. Create SMART goals

SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and doable in a set Timeframe. Divide your goals into the SMART categories they fall into and start allocating time to each goal in order to reach the desired outcome.

8. Have deadlines

Nobody likes the rush or pressure that comes with deadlines, which is why the first thing you need to do is be realistic in regard to how much time your goals require. You can’t assign 5 minutes to a task that requires at least an hour. It’s not doable and has you set up to fail from the start.

9. Practice mindfulness

It can be easy to lose focus and swerve off-track. This is why it’s important to practice mindfulness and be aware of things that cause distractions, waste your time and drain your energy. Remove the distractions and keep things interesting. The minute we’re bored, we tend to go off track, which is why it’s important to break up the tasks into smaller pieces, allowing you to stay motivated and on track as you tick them off one at a time.

10. It's okay to say no

Having boundaries is an important part of the human experience. Your time is valuable, and if you wish to have good time management skills, you will need to learn how to say no to things that don’t fall on your list of priorities. When you’re saying no to the less important things, you are prioritising the things that matter and preventing yourself from burning out by trying to do more than your available time allows you to.

11. Cut out distractions

Nowadays, there are so many forms of distractions, whether it’s a quick chat with a colleague, a message from a relative or social media. A quick 5-minute detour easily turns into an hour or more wasted on things that are not that important. Make an effort to cut out all the distractions as you prepare your tasks for the day. By removing the distractions, it becomes easier to focus on the must-do tasks.

12. Manage your stress

The minute we start stressing, our level of productivity goes down. We tend to feel more stressed when there is pressure to perform or when we’ve rushed into things without the proper planning. Stress can be a crutch and a nuisance.

It also serves as a warning that you’ve bitten off more than you can chew or you haven’t been managing your time as successfully as you thought.

13. Don’t try to multitask

Multitasking might seem like a great solution as you tackle different tasks simultaneously, but according to studies, it’s more of a nuisance than a solution. It tends to slow down productivity and lead to frustration and stress.

14. Make use of the 20 minute rule

What is the 20-minute rule? This is an effective time management strategy used by most successful time managers. You set an alarm for 20 minutes and tackle the task in that time. During the 20 minutes, the task gets your undivided attention.

Once the alarm rings, you can choose to put the task to the side or finish it. You continue with the 20-minute increments until you’ve completed the task. It’s one of the most effective strategies, especially if you’re not in the mood and you feel yourself veering off the chosen path.

15. Have some free time

Managing your time is not just about filling every second with something to do. Rest and breaks are important for productivity. Make sure you set up your time schedule to include some breaks to give your mind rest and time to shut off. Quick power breaks can help increase your focus and creativity.

16. Organise your space

When you’re stuck in a space that feels like it's suffocating you or killing your creativity, it is time for a change. Make sure to clean out the space and set it up in a way that is fresh and inspires your creativity and workability.

17. Nightly check-ins

When the day is done, set some time aside before bed to audit the day and all you’ve gotten done. Check what worked, what didn’t and where you can improve. By constantly auditing your time management, you refine it to a process or plan that works for you. Not every strategy or tip works for every person. They serve as starting points which help you create a system or strategy that works best with your work, your level of focus and your list of priorities.

Why is time management important?

When you don’t effectively manage your time, it’s easy to get distracted and waste time on things that are not beneficial. Good time management comes with great benefits.

It leads to a better work-life balance, more focus, plenty of free time and less stress/anxiety and distraction. On top of that, time management makes things easier and gives you the boost of motivation and energy you need.