This topic - ways to improve productivity - was highly requested when we polled students over social media. We hope that you find these tips helpful and are able to create a more productive schedule!
1. Establish a Routine
Starting your day with a glass of water and a healthy breakfast can let your body know that you are ready for the day and boost your productivity.
It might be difficult to establish an exact day-to-day routine during quarantine due to the uncertainty happening all around us. Rather than scheduling specific hours of the day for specific tasks, blocking your day into big categories that you want to accomplish daily can be a great alternative. An example of categories could be: work, exercise, music, and rest. This way of scheduling can keep you accountable by touching on those categories and still give you some flexibility in allocating the amount of time spent in each and when you do it.
2. Have a Daily To-Do List
A key tip to improve productivity is to have a daily to-do list that outlines the goals and items that you want to accomplish each day. Putting the agenda with the highest priorities on the top of the list can help you stay focused as you are not distracted by less important tasks during the day. Crossing out tasks that are finished on the list can give you feelings of accomplishment, validation, and most importantly, the sense that you are moving closer and closer to your goal. Try to create a to-do list the night before, so you are ready to go the next day and don’t waste time worrying about what to do in the morning.
3. Keep Your Workplace Organized
It is really easy to accumulate a lot of irrelevant things on your table or desk that might eventually distract you from focusing on and finishing your work. After each task, try to put away the items you no longer need. It will give you a break to stand up and walk a little, and hopefully you’ll be able to find those items quickly the next time you need them. As a bonus, they won’t be cluttering your workspace in the meantime.
4. Delegate Time for Check-Ins and Calls with Family and Friends
Motivation and encouragement help drive productivity. Quarantine can be hard and lonely; thus, it is especially important to set aside time to call friends or family members during this time. Through check-ins with other people, you may describe what you have done in the past few days, which can help you keep track of your work. By listening to how others are doing, you may find motivation, which will boost your productivity. We all need to recharge sometimes and talking to close family members and friends is one of the best ways!