Why is it hard to be productive?
Ever dread the thought of starting a task and often avoid the job altogether? Or find yourself scrolling through social media mindlessly instead of working? It's hard to be productive when there's no real direction, focus, or sense of motivation due to being stretched out thin.
Mental health is a vital factor in deciding to be productive in the day. Society praises the overworking ideology as a thing to flaunt around, such as being involved in several clubs or even taking on long workdays. As a result, tasks never seem to be done, and we are left feeling overwhelmed with a never-ending to-do list.
Productivity can affect both personal and work performance. Having burnout is one of the main hindrances to being productive. According to WebMD, burnout is "a form of exhaustion caused by constantly feeling swamped, due to excessive and prolonged emotional, physical, and mental stress often related to one's job."
Now, what is productivity? Productivity is often described as getting goals and tasks completed in a short amount of time and effort, leaving you feeling less stressed. Ultimately, don't we all want more time to do what we want if we can? Unfortunately, when life feels overwhelming and there are too many things needing to be done, we are not utilizing the tools to manage these tasks to be more productive.
Here are 4 ways to be more productive:
1. DECLUTTER your work area.
Productivity benefits from a decluttered, clean working space. There’s limited distraction when things are out of sight. With only allowing important/prioritized items to be in view, there won’t be a need to wander off task. Plus, you’ll spend less time finding what you need if it is organized. Decluttering can also apply to your personal life and be used to declutter your mental space to move through the day.
2. STOP multitasking.
It’s been scientifically proven that humans are not made to complete multiple tasks at once. Multitasking is a productivity killer causing mental blocks and slowing us down. Not to mention, it impairs our cognitive ability.
3. FIND the best productivity method for you.
Figuring out the best method to increase productivity depends on a few factors such as your personality, environment, and function. Each method has a different purpose and understanding their purpose can help you choose which one is best to implement in your life. Worst case-scenario, try two to three methods and see if these work to make you more productive in the day.
4. DETERMINE the most productive time of the day for you.
Identify the times of the day when you are most productive at handling tasks. Having established that time frame, determine the most important task that needs to be complete in that window. You are more likely to complete these tasks during the high-energy period.
The Bottom Line
We can live a more enjoyable and easier life when we are productive. Work is accomplished more efficiently, giving you more time to prioritize your mental health. We are driven by a sense of purpose and feeling productive makes us feel a sense of achievement, giving us more fulfillment and satisfaction in work and life.
Learn more about Wellness Workdays and our wellness program offerings by downloading our brochure.
Written by: Melina Chhin, Wellness Workdays Dietetic Intern
Sources:
1. Healthline
2. Verywellmind