Do you feel like you are always busy but never get anything done? Many of us lead busy lives where it may feel like there is always something to accomplish. Some days we may feel ready to complete a long to-do list and, on other days, we would rather spend our time relaxing.

Being productive takes effort, and is typically well worth it in the long run. Follow these five tips to simplify your life while improving your productivity.

Be Aware: Busy Does Not Equal Productive

Sometimes multitasking can destroy productivity. Being busy, or trying to maintain an appearance of being busy, has nothing to with productivity. Just because you’re getting something done doesn’t necessarily mean it aligns with your goals. Focus on the purpose of your tasks, one step at a time. Productivity is about meeting your goals, not just checking things off your to-do list. Some may believe that completing tasks will make them feel fulfilled when really, the constant desire to complete different tasks can actually produce feelings of anxiety.

Be Specific: Identify Goals vs. Tasks  

It’s easy to confuse goals and tasks, and that confusion can lead to feelings of overwhelming pressure—tasks are small steps that lead you closer to meeting your goals. With this in mind, it is vital to have a realistic to-do list; it’s easy to feel stuck if everything on your to-do list seems daunting. The purpose of a list is to capture actionable items or pre-defined tasks that you will accomplish.

For example, perhaps your goal is to lose two pounds this week, tasks will help you achieve that goal. Developing a meal plan, visiting the grocery store, and exercising each day are all tasks that will help you accomplish your objective. Break down large goals by focusing on small steps that will help you reach them. While having goals is important, it’s also crucial to remember that taking on too many can leave you feeling overwhelmed and unfocused—making it harder to accomplish any of them.

Be Smart: Organize and Prioritize

To be organized you must be aware of where your time is going. Create a time log and use it to analyze and summarize all your daily activities for a given week. Once you’re able to recognize the gaps in your productivity, you can build a new daily routine.

You may find it helpful to categorize and prioritize your tasks. For example, list your pre-planned activities in order of importance. These are the tasks you would complete in a day without interruptions. Next, list all unplanned tasks which may include incoming calls, instant messages, and requests from others. Unplanned tasks are typically part of most days and need to be processed on an ongoing basis.

Be Intentional: Procrastination Robs Your Power

What tasks are you thinking of putting off until tomorrow? What projects have you started but can’t seem to finish? Are there items on your to-do list that rollover week after week? Procrastination is one of our biggest energy drainers. It’s tempting to think life feels easier when we avoid the things we don’t want to deal with, but more often, it leads to extra stress, chaos, and a nagging sense of guilt.

Procrastination can also cause missed deadlines, lost opportunities, tardiness, and unnecessary expenses. By overcoming procrastination habits you’ll gain a sense of energy and enthusiasm triggered by completing tasks.

Be Truthful: Admit Your Excuses

Take a moment to consider what else might be draining your time. Common self-inflicted time-wasters include disorganization, difficulty saying no, getting caught up in gossip, perfectionism, poor delegation, and overthinking which is often referred to as ‘paralysis by analysis.’

In some cases, progress may be delayed because we are spending too much time focused on one issue. There are better ways to use your energy. Try not to spend too much time and energy going in circles over something, focus instead on finding a solution that moves you forward.

In all, it can be challenging to break down habits to rebuild different, more productive ones. And, as a result, this can feel overwhelming. If you think you would benefit from additional support as you navigate this, Centerstone is here for you. Click here to learn more about our counseling services.