Productivity is a funny thing. The harder we try to be productive, the more resistant we become. We procrastinate. We do silly stuff that we know isn’t productive. If you’re cramming your days striving to be productive, it’s most likely working against you. The key to being more productive? Not trying. Here are some ideas for how to boost productivity yes…without even trying:
1. Be passionate about what you do.
Passion breeds purpose. When you’re passionate about what you do, you don’t have to try to be productive. It comes naturally. When you’re passionate, churning out work no longer feels like a chore. You work because you want to – not because you have to. Not sure where to start? Decrease your time spent on activities that drag you down and don’t feed your true strengths. This, in turn, will free up time for things that may nourish what you love to d
2. Face east when working.
Fortune cookies, horoscopes, and tarot cards are a few ways to focus your attention on where you are in life and where you may go. The problem? They typically don’t have much merit (just watch out for when Mercury is in retrograde!) Feng shui is a Chinese way of living that enhances and harmonizes the flow of energies. I view feng shui as more of a mental shift than anything – but it works. It teaches us how to focus energies to create the best outcome. The east has the chi energy to help become busier, more active, more focused and better able to put your good ideas into practice. If your desk is facing any other direction, and your productivity has dropped, consider repositioning your desk to face east. You won’t be sorry. Unless, of course you become a complete workaholic.
3. Get a dog
This one seems like a contradiction. Dogs need to be walked, fed, and take up a lot of time. But the time that is spent with your dog, makes the time you spend on your work more productive. The walks help clear the head, and the playing can help inspire ideas.
4. Become mindful
Time can be ever elusive when in front of the computer, but our virtual selves are now easier to track than ever. One minute seems to somehow become 30.There’s an app for that. Time sink is a productivity app that helps us to become aware of how we’re spending our time. There are quite a few others on the market. Increased awareness as to how we’re spending our time leads to better use of it.
5. Get rid of drama
We all know that Negative Nancy who has more drama than an entire season of Lost. Drama and negativity drain productive energy. If you can help it, walk away slowly. It may not be easy, but it’ll be worth it in the long run. Thoughts will be clearer due to less distractions. Energies more focused in the right place. Sounds too good to be true? Try it. Life is too short to be caught up in unnecessary chaos.
What are some ways that you boost productivity? Please leave your thoughts in the comments below.