5 Simple Ways to Increase Your Productivity - Olukotun Gideon Olusola

Everyone wants to be more productive - at home, in the workplace, at school and everywhere else. Nobody likes regret, not even a lazy man. The problem, though, is that we live in an unstable fast-paced society and it is easy to feel frazzled and this often result in poor time management.

Fortunately for us, there are many ways in which we can regain control over the time and activities that seem to be beyond our control. If only you will just decide to incorporate these five simple steps over the next few weeks, you will be surprised how much your productivity would have increased.

1. Set goals and develop plans - Success and progress can only be measured by goals. If you don't set goals, you will lack motivation and willpower to work or do significant things. You tend to work at your own pace and get lackadaisical about the things that truly matters. This is because as humans, whatever we can't measure, we cannot manage.But setting a goal is just a step, working on the goal is another. After your goal has been set, go further in writing out the plans and steps you need to implement to help you achieve the goal or at least, move you closer to the goal.

2. Prioritize Tasks - Both the rich and the poor have 24 hours. How they spend their time is what determines what they get at the end. Interestingly, everyone make plans; even the poor man makes plan to be rich but his problem is often a problem of prioritising. 

Do not get overwhelmed by the many distractions around - phone, social media; stories, statuses, e.t.c that often steal your time. Instead, take an inventory of everything on your plate and then start prioritising the tasks. This is surely one kf the best things you can do for yourself. 

A great philosopher once said, to thine own self be true. If you would be true to yourself, you would realise that the problem you have is not the lack of time to do the things you have to do but the inability to prioritise well enough. 

3. Take Breaks - My personality is the work-oriented type and so, I tend to feel frustrated or depressed when I am without work. But I have seen myself work so hard in the day, achieved quite a lot only to burn out afterwards. Sometimes, it takes more than a night to resuscitate, thereby affecting productivity the next day. 

It is one thing to power through the tracks when you're on a marathon but when you are on a relay, you know when to give way for another. Life is as such. You have to take breaks. You have to get up from your table and let your mind be refreshed. If you can, step outside and get some air for 10 minutes. Have a chat with a friend or colleague. Listen to a good music. I bet you will be back to work feeling refreshed and motivated. 

4. Quit multitasking - Yes, quit multitasking. Don't be received any longer that the ability to multitask is an important skill to increase efficiency. This is not all true. Psychologists have discovered that attempting to do several tasks at once can result in lost time and productivity. A better way to do this is to make a habit of committing to a single task before moving on to the next one.

5. Track your work time - It is easy to think you are pretty good at measuring the time you spend on various tasks. However, research has suggested that only around 17% of people are able to accurately estimate the passage of time. Getting an accountability partner and journal is a good way to help you know how well you spend your time and day. 

Don't forget to share this with someone who needs it.

Olukotun Gideon Olusola

Principal Coach - TAKE THE LEAD COACHING CONSULT