7 Tips to Increase Productivity by Staying Present

7 Tips to Increase Productivity by Staying Present
by Dr. Nadia

We are caught up in the business of being busy. Somewhere in the paradigm of success, it was decided that being busy means more  productivity. Over-scheduling has become the norm and every minute is accounted for and full of activity. 

However, being busy for the sake of being busy is neither productive nor healthy. 

Rates of burnout and mental illness are steadily increasing across all fields. The National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) reports 18.5% of adults in the US, that is 43.8 million people suffer from mental illness each year. Read more on burnout by profession and signs of burnout.

As a member of the profession with the highest rate of burnout and suicide, wellness and burnout prevention are topics near and dear to my heart. I don’t want to be a statistic.

I want to be able to thrive in my career as a physician, cultivate my entrepreneurial spirit, find some semblance of life-work balance, and live my life with intention.

Time is definitely one of the most precious commodities. So, how to make the most of the time we have and work smarter instead of harder?

1.  Set Realistic Expectations and Goals

Goals need to be manageable and achievable. Otherwise, it is easy to get overwhelmed or lose interest. By using the SMART model for goal setting, we can set ourselves up for success.

Specific.
Measurable.
Attainable.
Relevant.
Time Bound.

2.  Pockets of Productivity

Plan your day with pockets of productivity in mind. Aiming for hours of uninterrupted free time can be unrealistic because, well, life happens.

However, pockets of 30 minutes to an hour a few times a day is manageable. It is during these pockets of time I squeeze in self care, read a book, yoga, brainstorm, plan future goals, etc.

3.  When Working, Keep It Low Tech

With unlimited information and data at our fingertips, it is all too easy to get distracted by our phones, computers, ipads, tablets, etc. However, mentally shifting gears too often can really break our flow of thoughts and creative energy.

In fact, research shows that Americans check their phone on average once every 12 minutes which is about 80 times a day!

Apparently we can’t go longer than 4 hours before we start feeling the stress of cell phone separation.

Yikes.

Read more on how cell phone habits impact your productivity.

4.  Be Present on the Task at Hand

Distraction rewires our brains—and not for the better. Mindfulness, the practice of present moment awareness, can help you stay focused. Read more on how to stay mindful when feeling distracted.

NPR’s Hidden Brain sheds light on how we can make the most of our brain’s capacity to store and process information.

5.  Make Space in Your Brain for New Ideas

You will enrich your life immeasurably if you approach it with a sense of wonder and discovery, and always challenge yourself to try new things. -Nate Berkus

How can there be space for new ideas or creativity when so much is running through our minds at any given moment?

Seeking solitude and decluttering your mind can be very helpful.

Two ways to declutter your mind to make space for new ideas include utilizing techniques like brain dumps and vision boards. 

Read more on how to make space in your brain to create.

6.  Make Self Care a Part of Your Everyday Routine

Self care is not a luxury.

Instead, it is a necessary part of wellness and mental health.  Instead of making it another thing to cross off the to-do list, seamlessly insert self care into your daily morning and/or evening routine.

Mindful movement with yoga, meditation, stretching, dancing, or working out can boost endorphins and uplift mood.

Keeping a gratitude journal increases awareness of the abundance around us.

Positive power phrases can make you feel empowered even in the most disempowering of situations.

Parents, please be aware of the signs of parental burnout and make time for your wellness.

7.  Create the Life You Want by Prioritizing and Reprioritizing

By recording your dreams and goals on paper, you set in motion the process of becoming the person you most want to be. Put your future in good hands – your own. –Mark Victor Hansen

Creating the life you want is easier than it seems but we must take the time to decide what kind of life is the right one for us. Otherwise it is easy to fall into cycles of negativity, feel stuck, discontent, or straight up confused. 

Read more on how to get unstuck and the mindset for positive change.

Having a game plan on how to tackle time management, minimize distractions, and increase focus prevents goals and dreams from getting lost within the mental clutter.

I find that writing ideas on paper moves abstract thoughts into actionable items and easier to refer back to them later. 

I recommend regular assessment of goals and/or bucket lists. The key is to routinely prioritize and reprioritize as necessary. Then, see if your current actions align you with your overall goals. Otherwise, much effort and energy is expended without ever moving in the direction of ultimate goals and aspirations. 

What tips help you increase productivity? Would love to hear your thoughts!