10 Productivity-Boosting Habits of Successful People

Do you have co-workers or acquaintances that seem to get more done in one day than you do in a week? Productivity often boils down to well-ingrained work habits that help maximise time and improve the chances of a successful outcome. There's no mystical secret to boosting productivity. If you find there aren't enough hours in the day to achieve your goals, why not try out the following tips and make them a habit.

1. Write a Daily Plan of Attack

Rather than starting your morning off by checking your emails and perusing your favourite blogs, blast out a to-do list that covers the main goals of the day. This will help keep you on track right from the start.

2. Learn How to Avoid Distractions

We all have our own personal barriers to productivity, whether it's a phone that won't stop ringing, non-stop pings from our email inbox, a chatty co-worker, or an addiction to Facebook. Spend time getting to know what your biggest distractions are, so that you can avoid them.

3. Complete Important Tasks before Lunch

After creating your to-do list in the morning, try to tackle your most important tasks straight away when your brain is fresh. Save the afternoon for administrative tasks or meetings; and you'll remain motivated by a sense of accomplishment.

4. Make Time for Yourself

Short periodic breaks refocus the mind, and you can apply the same principle of having "recess" from your school days to your work schedule. Give yourself a few break periods where you can make a personal phone call, take a walk around the block, or go for a coffee break.

5. Take a Lunch Break

Similarly, taking a lunch break away from your desk is a good way to help you stay energized and provide focus for the rest of the day. Working through lunch could actually leave you feeling more burnt out and less productive.

6. Don't Overdo Multi-Tasking

Juggling multiple tasks can help you knock out several petty items from your to-do list, but it can also leave you feeling over-extended and scatter-brained. It's better to focus on one thing at a time and get the job done the right way.

7. Create Deadlines

If you don't set a timeline for a particular task or end goal, you may allow the task to stretch on far longer than it needs to. Give yourself a firm deadline for each task and break down larger ones into a series of smaller steps along the way. This often has a way of allowing you to get work done more efficiently.

8. Use Automated Systems

Take advantage of today's copious technology by automating your busywork as much as possible. You don't need to pay for a personal assistant when you have automatic appointment scheduling, bill paying, and email sorting at your fingertips.

9. Upgrade your Skills

If you find that certain tasks take longer than they should, you might want to think about taking a short course to enhance productivity. Accounting courses could help you organize your finances; while a project management course can help you set up systems to improve efficiency.

10. Keep End Goals in Mind

Finally, don't get too mired down in the small day to day tasks or they'll overwhelm you. Think about what your end goal is, whether it's the completion of a big project or a promotion at work.

By following these basic tips and turning them into habits, you can boost your own productivity at work and improve your chances of success.