3 Productivity Hacks Guaranteed to Boost Your Mood

I don’t know about you, but when I am less than productive, I am grouchy!

I get irritable when I get behind. Interruptions annoy the crap out of me. Not only do I get short with others, but I also beat myself up.

• Another lost day Kathy!!!
• You didn’t get to that again?
• What is wrong with you?
• Seriously Kathy! Is it that hard to stay focused? 

At times, it is in fact, very hard to stay focused! But it doesn't always have to be.

Unproductive days = Bad mood
You too likely feel this level of irritation on less than productive days. You also know the consequence of how an unproductive day can spill into your evening. Being terse with your staff is certainly not optimal, but a cutting remark with your child can leave you feeling inept in the parenting department. Adding to the guilty parent syndrome is insomnia.  As you lay there ruminating through your list of undone tasks, the cycle begins again. The pressure increases the next day, to more, in less time.

Turn that frown upside down
This all too familiar cycle was the norm for me for years. The more determined I got in the last few years to meaningful work, the more necessary it became to be productive. Changing a few things has made an incredible difference for me. I still have less productive times, but they are fewer and farther between. I end most weeks ticking everything off of my weekly list.

​Planning + Prioritizing + Hacks = Productivity
The last couple of weeks I walked you through my method of weekly planning and prioritizing. This week, I’m giving you 3 productivity hacks that will help you take that weekly and daily to-do list and get them done. The result, you can shut off at the end of the day knowing you completed what you needed to. Being productive at work frees up your mind and your energy to shift into the rest of your life. Feeling upbeat when you come home at the end of your workday results in a much more enjoyable evening with your loved ones!

 ​The 3 Productivity Hacks Guaranteed to Boost Your Mood

1. Batch Similar Tasks
Batching refers to doing the same things at the same time. It also relates to completing similar types of activities back-to-back. 

You likely already know that multitasking is ineffective. That is because your brain can only do one thing, at a time. Multitasking is when you are trying to switch from one to another. The problem is, it takes your brain a bit to catch up. 

Remember Newton’s law: An object in motion stays in motion? The same happens with your brain. When you are focused on performance reviews and then switch to opening up an Excel spreadsheet with budgets on it, your brain is still moving in the direction of staff growth and development. It takes effort to stop that train of thought and switch to thinking about numbers. Don't work your brain so hard. Batch similar items together, so your brain is going in the same direction.

Another benefit of batching is reduced preparation and cleanup. If I am working on one project, I have files out, and binders flagged, There are a multitude of windows open on my computer. I won’t lie to you; it’s a mess. To shift to a different project, I either have to spend time cleaning it all up (only to pull it all out again tomorrow) or open folders, books, and tabs on top of the current mayhem. Starting something new before finishing the old adds to the clutter. Both of these options make a messier workspace. They also take up more time. Batching items together cuts down preparation time and minimizes clutter.

When you are working on a project, stick to it. Batch projects together to keep the brain focused, save time, and eliminate clutter. Here are some examples:

• Return several phone calls one after the other. When you hang up the phone, jot down a couple of notes, about what needs to be completed as a result of that call. Then make the next call. When you finish 3 or 4 calls, go back to your jotted notes. Do the follow up on them such as entering appointments into your schedule, adding items to your to-do list or following up with an email all at once. 
• Schedule all of your supervision meetings with within the same day or two. Develop a routine of prep, conversation and follow up, so it flows from one meeting to the next.
• Set aside the chunks of time to do your monthly budgeting so that you can get it all done at once sitting or one or two days without having to switch projects.
• When you’re working on compiling statistics, schedule that over the same period. Perhaps that’s over the course of the day or over to three days. Binders, spreadsheets, and stay concentrated on that task,
• Schedule meetings on the same day. If you’re already out of the office, consider what else needs to get done on that day? Tend to all of your out of the office activities such as errands when you are already travelling.

​2. Make the best use of your productive times

First, figure out when your most productive times are

• When is your energy highest?
• When are you best able to focus? 
• What time of day are you least likely to get interruptions? 
• When do you have the most willpower to fend off distractions?

For most of us, this is in the morning. It may that 30 minutes before everyone else shows up. It could also be the hour after everyone comes in and then disperses. 9:30 – 10:30 am could be a golden hour for you. 

Second, know the tasks necessitating your peak focus
Typically, just like in school, the things that require that level of diligence are reading, writing and arithmetic. If you need to read over and digest a report, you’ll need high focus. Composing a letter, a review or proposal are duties that demand attentiveness. It goes without saying that for most of us, spreadsheets call forth a need for concentrated attention as well.

Finally, use your time wisely
Schedule the activities requiring intense concentration into the times that you are best able to focus. I think I say this in every blog post….don’t do email first thing! Save email as a before lunch activity when you are already a bit fried. Do your reading, writing, and arithmetic when you need peak energy, focus, and willpower.

​3. Minimize and eliminate interruptions
Create your environment, so you are least likely to be interrupted

• Turn your phone off. Put do not disturb on. Leave your phone on the other side of the room or in a different room.
• Shut the door. Put a note on the door; “Do Not Disturb.”
• Put headphones on
• Close all other programs and windows on your computer.
• Tidy your desk closing files, books, etc.

Set your boundaries
Get clear that you’re unavailable and for how long. 

• I’m going to set aside 9 – 10 am each morning for focus time

Communicate that to those around you

• Correspond via an email to key staff or explain your intentions at a team meeting.  
• Ask for their assistance. Not only can they ward off anyone headed in your direction, but also they can be available for emergencies. 

Return the favour for them when they need productive times. 

Reinforce your boundaries
Practice what you’ll say to people when they interrupt you. 
“I will time at 10:00 am. Right now I am focusing on these reports needing to be completed. If it’s important before then, Crystal can help you out.”

Be strict ---> with yourself
You are your own worst enemy. Your lack of focus comes more often from inside than outside. Focus requires an incredible amount of willpower. Read these blogs to discover more about staying focused.

Productivity results in elevated mood
If you don't want to find yourself with lingering grouchiness as you walk into your home, get productive. Follow the plan and prioritize method I've shared. Then add these hacks to your week. You'll find yourself not only more productive but much happier too!