Consider the style of work, to become more productive

The basic principles of productivity

Each of us has its own characteristics, but there are general rules that work for all:

• Take small steps. Do not expect the work habits that were formed over the years, will change in a couple of days. Try one advice, see what suits you and what does not. Gradually you will develop its own productivity system.
• Report on progress. For example, arrange with a colleague once a week to talk about the work done. Or notifies the command of its own deadlines. This will be an additional incentive to perform tasks on time.
• Be kind to yourself. You are only human. Accept the fact that sometimes you will make mistakes, distracted or feel bad. Do not dwell on those failures and move on.

Tips for multitasking lovers

Stop multitasking considered useful

brain capacity constraints. At any given time we can keep in mind only a certain number of ideas and tasks. Try talking to a colleague while typing a message and leaves the social network. Even if you think that at this moment you are very productive, most likely, every thing you do is not good.

Multitasking man simply can not afford. When you switch from one to another, neural networks have to remember in your brain on what you left off, and rebuild.

Earl Miller, a professor of neuroscience at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology

These extra efforts you are running slower, and the probability of error increasesMultitasking: Switching costs.

Focus on one task

It is not always possible to allocate a few hours on the job and at this time, protect yourself from all distractions. Even 10-15 minutes of focused work, you can do a lot.

Start with these steps:

• Protect yourself from temptation. Do not go in the social network just like that, while working on some task. If unassisted it does not work, use the applications that are on time, block access to certain sites. For example, SelfControl or Freedom.
• Work on only one screen. If you are at the computer, remove the phone and tablet. Turn off the second monitor, if it is not needed for this task.
• Move. If you notice that you can not focus (for example, repeatedly reading the same sentence or permanently switch to other thoughts), stand up and walk around a bit. After that it will be easier to concentrate.
• Divide the working time into intervals. Set a timer for 5-10 minutes, and do not be distracted from the business during this time. Then allow yourself a moment of rest and then go back to the task at hand.

Do not scold yourself for a tendency to be distracted. She formed the people long ago, when the rapid switching of attention survival depended. During labor it often hinders rather than helps. But do not despair. The more you train in concentration, the easier it will be given.

Tips for procrastinators

Be accountable to someone

Suppose you have an important project ahead. Agree with a colleague or supervisor that will report regularly on its progress. It is important that this person is serious approach to his role. It must be frustrating if you do not reach your goal, and joy when you will succeed.

Some inveterate procrastinators agree to receive for following the deadline reward or punishment. It depends on what motivates more than the individual. For example, the reward can be a free lunch, and punishment - an entire department, where it is said that you do not meet the deadline.

Checklists Task

If you use them effectively, they help not deviate from the target.

• At the end of the day make a list of five to eight cases for tomorrow. At the same time be realistic and consider how much you can actually catch.
• Create a separate list of personal files on the same day. It should include no more than two or three points. Do not make the list for the week ahead: such an abundance of cases will only exacerbate stress.
• Formulate tasks as specifically. For example, do not write "Finish project", better to break this into smaller sub-para.

Do not forget that besides the usual procrastination there is the so-called structured. During it we have been working with small business, in order to avoid a large and complex task. Making a list can also be a form of such procrastination, so allocated to it no more than 5-10 minutes. We can not allow you to spend more time planning than doing things.

Tips for giperotvetstvennyh

Take breaks

Work without rest or stop for 10-12 hours a day, does not guarantee an outstanding result and is not conducive to creativity. Try to remember where you were when you last came up with a good idea. Hardly at your desk. Most likely, it happened while you were in the bathroom, walked or went somewhere.

So when doing a large project, do not try to do everything for the day. Let the brain rest, ideally a few hours. Sleep - the best way to do this. During his subconscious continues to work on a task in the brain are formedSleep promotes branch-specific formation of dendritic spines after learning new links, which leads to unexpected ideas in the morning.

If you noticed that the mental powers have not, stop. Do not be ashamed to take a break or end the day early in order to give the brain a rest.

breathe deeply

When we are overworked, we turn on the stress response, why we breathe and often shallow. As a result, the brain receives less oxygen, we are even more nervous and can not think clearly. To deal with this, follow the breath.

Most people breathe vertically lifting and lowering the shoulders and expand the chest. There is another way - a horizontal breath. In this case, the diaphragm to breathe, so the body receives more oxygen. This method is characteristic of young children. Try it when you're drowning in problems again. The brain will get more oxygen, which means that you will be easier to think.

Watch your posture

Try to notice the tension in your body and posture change. For example, some related to computer use too much straining hands when holding the mouse or printed. And when a long time sitting at the table, lift the shoulders up. When stress in general, all the muscles of woody. Over time, we are so used to the tense posture that cease to notice it. In this position, we are even more nervous, can not breathe deeply.

To relax, do this exercise:

• Imagine your crown.
• Touch it (it is possible you will be surprised that it is lower than you expected).
• Gently lift it up.
• Straighten your arms so that they turned out.
• Spread the chest.
• Breathe deeply.

Repeat the exercise, when you feel that once again returned to a tense posture.

What techniques help you work efficiently? Share in the comments.