It can often feel as though there’s not enough time in the day for your tasks. If you are overwhelmed with things to do then you need to consider time-management skills.
It is hard to measure efficiency as a writer. Yes you can count words and articles but that doesn’t account for everything. You will need to factor in the quality of the work, research and other factors that play a part.
Let’s delve into some simple tactics that you could apply, to improve your productivity, today.
1. Write it Down
The number one rule is to get it down on a pad. As a writer, this should come natural to you. In-fact, you are 42% more likely to achieve your goals by writing them down.
How can you expect to meet your targets if you are unsure of them? You can clearly write down what you plan to do that day. Set goals for the day and circle the five most important. These should take priority. Make sure you have realistic goals, that can be achieved, otherwise this task is counter-productive.
2. Eliminate Distractions
Being a ‘creative’ has its flaws; one of them is that you can be easily distracted. This may seem like common sense, but unfortunately there are more distractions than ever.
For that reason, it is down to you to eliminate them. Turn your phone off or at least place it away from you. Set an extended period in the day when you’ll steer clear of useless Internet resources. Similarly, make sure nobody is compromising your attention whilst you attempt to work.
3. Don’t Check E-Mails
This may seem reminiscent of the last point but this deserves a paragraph of its own. Simply because, as writers, e-mails are integral to our craft. It is easy to sip a coffee whilst browsing our e-mail during the early hours. This generally sets the direction of the day.
Tools of the Titans, is a book that highlights the importance of avoiding your e-mails ‘first thing’. Instead, wait until you’ve tackled the imperative ‘to-do’s’ of your own. By skimming your messages in the morning, you are ultimately, being side-tracked, and you’re likely to serve someone else’s agenda.
4. Reward Yourself
One more article and you can get yourself a coffee, deal? Negotiate with yourself, as long as you are staying on top of your game, there is no reason you can’t enjoy little rewards.
Taking a break here and there can serve your entire day. Trying not to have a break may lower the quality of your work and slow you down.
Sweden have been trialling the ‘six-hour’ work day for years, as many believe that workers get more done in a shorter period of time.
Writer’s block is a real thing and there’s rarely gold content awaiting you at the other side, for that reason, a quick break or hot drink could be what you need.
With that said, ensure that you’re not disrupting good work, you will want to capitalise on being in the zone.
5. Exercise in the Morning
This seems completely unrelated, right? Well, everything you do in the morning will set up all that follows. If you get those good endorphins stimulated when you wake up, you will be preparing for a great day ahead.
Organising your schedule from the morning makes all the difference, by merely implementing some of the above; you’ll be able to enjoy consistency. This will go a long way to helping you become more productive throughout the day.