Life
It seems there are never enough hours in the day. And yet, some research suggests that of our typical eight-hour workday, we're productive for only two hours and 53 minutes. In other words, we may have more than enough hours to take care of all of our responsibilities and maybe even watch an episode of Game of Thrones, but it certainly won't feel that way when all but two hours and 53 minutes are wasted on emails, trips to the bathroom, talking to our cubicle neighbor, and stalking people on Instagram — all when we should be working. Knowing this, it becomes crucial to find ways to be more productive.
It's not just distractions, either. Our brains aren't really equipped to work efficiently for eight straight hours. Some research says the best ratio is 52 minutes of work followed by 17 minutes of rest. This is thought to encourage a level of focus and productivity you won't get otherwise.
While we might not be able to control our schedules to that degree, there are still certainly things we can do to be more productive throughout the day and avoiding throwing away useful time we'll never get back. If you're looking for tips on how to get more done in less time, here are 19 excellent suggestions from Reddit.
1
Do Quick Things Immediately
Even the things that bother us most sometimes take but a few minutes; and doesn't it feel amazing to get them finished and out of the way?
3
Make The Bed Right After You Get Up
Making the bed first thing in the morning can start you off on a more productive foot. Plus, it'll make the whole room look more put together.
4
Learn To Type Faster
There are all kinds of free games online to practice typing faster — and they're actually kind of addictive.
5
Do Something To Wake Yourself Up
If anything is going to wake you up, it's a cold shower and a spicy breakfast.
6
Keep A To-Do List
This might be one of the best ways to stay productive. Wunderlist and Todoist are both reliable ways to keep your list online.
7
Take A Nap
While not everyone is a fan of naps, it could help you be more productive. Clear a short window to catch some extra ZZZs.
8
Break Things Down Into Smaller Pieces
If you want to make big tasks easier to digest, dividing it up into smaller tasks can make a huge difference in your productivity.
9
Listen To Music
Music makes everything better; and research suggests it could help you work smarter and harder.
10
Eliminate Distractions
Phones are a huge time-suck, and clocks can add unnecessary pressure. Don't give them your attention, and you'll probably get your responsibilities out of the way faster.
11
Schedule Your Day
Knowing when you're going to do what can help keep you on track (although you shouldn't beat yourself up if things don't always go according to plans).
12
Have Two Monitors
Having an extra monitor might mean a small investment up front, but it will make your work so much easier and more convenient to manage.
13
Clean The Dishes Before You Eat
But, but, but... then your food gets cold. Even better! That'll motivate you to clean faster and get it over with.
14
Don't Get Stuck On Problems
This isn't to say your should ignore them. Just don't let them control you.
16
Begin The Day Doing Something Productive
Similar to making the bed, this is a great way to ensure you start the day productive, setting you on the right path with a good attitude.
17
Track Your Time
I like to use Toggl (it's free!) — it keeps me aware of how much time my tasks are taking me, and helps me avoid time sucks like social media and email.
18
Keep A Journal
Research agrees: journaling is good for you. It can help you have a more efficient day, too.
19
Eliminate White Noise
Even muted background noise can be distracting. Tune everyone and everything out, and more easily focus on your own responsibilities.
