Being productive is a common goal for many developers and writers. People often wonder how others manage to accomplish so much. In my case, I have created multiple free technical ebooks, published a blog post every day for over 400 days, and developed several online courses within just 9 months. While I don’t consider myself naturally productive, I have learned a few valuable strategies that have helped me stay focused and efficient. In this blog post, I will share some actionable tips that can be applied to your own work to increase productivity.
Learn to Say NO
Setting a big goal is the first step towards productivity. Whether it’s writing a novel, building an app, starting a blog, or making your first sale in a service-based business, having a clear objective is crucial. However, it’s essential to recognize all the activities that hinder your progress towards that goal, such as your day job, social engagements, family commitments, and other non-essential obligations. Learn to say NO to these distractions and prioritize your work. Every YES to something unimportant consumes your time, diverting you from reaching your end goal. Be selective and mindful of the activities you choose to engage in.
Eliminate Distractions
We live in a world filled with constant interruptions. Television, social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, online videos, gaming, email, and news updates are just a few examples. We’ve become addicted to notifications and often find ourselves picking up our phones to check for new updates out of habit. To combat these distractions, it’s essential to disable all notifications on your devices. Be aware that these companies engineer ways to grab and hold your attention. Don’t allow them to control your focus. Instead, designate specific periods in your day to check and respond to emails, browse social media, or catch up on news. Creating an “information diet” can help you regain control of your time and energy.
Track Your Time and Use a Blocker
Using a time-tracking application like RescueTime or the built-in tracking features on iPhones and iPads can provide valuable insights into how much time you waste each day. Identifying these time-consuming activities will enable you to address and minimize them. Additionally, employing a blocker like Block Site or SelfControl can help you stay focused by disabling access to distracting websites and applications during specific periods. By tracking your time and using blockers, you’ll avoid wasting precious energy on unproductive tasks.
Don’t Waste Energy
Energy is a finite resource, and wasting it on activities like scrolling through social media or fixating on other people’s lives hinders your ability to do your best work. When you focus on external distractions, you prolong the time it takes to achieve your own personal goals. Instead, dedicate your energy to meaningful and productive work. By consciously redirecting your focus, you’ll be able to produce higher quality results and make progress towards your objectives.
Optimize Your Productivity
Different tasks require varying levels of productivity. While some activities may seem productive, like checking and responding to emails or participating in work chat rooms, they can actually be time-consuming and divert your attention from more important tasks. To enhance your productivity, clearly define your main goal and display it prominently. By starting your day with a strong sense of purpose, you’ll be better able to prioritize your tasks and allocate your energy effectively. Focus on the most important job first, while saving less crucial tasks for later in the day when your energy levels may be lower. Though a daily, hour-by-hour schedule may not suit everyone, establishing a clear starting point for your day is crucial.
Spend Time Outside
As programmers, we tend to spend long hours sitting at our desks. Taking breaks and spending time outdoors is vital to maintaining productivity. Schedule regular half-days off or short walks to refresh your mind and gain renewed clarity on your work. This time away from your desk doesn’t necessarily equate to lost productivity; you can use it as an opportunity to listen to podcasts or audiobooks, learn something new, and be inspired by nature. The mind is a powerful problem-solving tool, and often the best ideas arise when we’re not consciously focused on a particular task or challenge.
Use Consistency
Consistency is a powerful tool for productivity. By establishing a routine and committing to a specific task or goal, you create an internal pressure to maintain consistency. For example, writing 1000 words per day may seem challenging at first, but as you continue to write every day, it becomes a natural and effortless habit. To build consistency, start small and gradually increase your efforts. Set achievable goals and gradually scale them up over time. Avoid breaking the chain of consistency, as this can make it more difficult to resume your productive habits. To ensure consistency, consider scheduling and pre-writing content ahead of time, especially when starting a blog. This technique provides a foundation of consistency to build upon.
Use Commitment
Commitment is a powerful motivator. When you publicly declare a goal or intention, it creates an internal pressure to follow through. Writing down your objectives and displaying them where you can see them daily serves as a constant reminder of what you want to achieve. Additionally, sharing your goals with others through blog posts or social media updates adds an extra layer of accountability. The fear of not keeping your commitment can be a powerful motivator to continue working towards your goals.
Just Do the Work
Ultimately, there comes a point where all the tips and hacks converge, and you simply need to sit down and do the work. It is important not to overthink or stress about it too much. There will be days when you don’t feel like working, and that’s okay. Tomorrow is another opportunity to improve your productivity. Remember to balance work with leisure time, as breaks are essential for overall well-being and creativity.
In conclusion, productivity levels vary for each individual. Some prefer working long hours and burning out quickly, while others maintain a consistent output over an extended period. Find what works best for you and embrace the techniques that help you stay focused and efficient.