7 Radical Steps to Seriously Boost Your Productivity

Productivity is an act of willpower and smart thinking.

Those who get a ton of work done during the week are not just more energetic or have more time; they’re actually working smarter. These tips can help you get that kind of boost. They might require a radical shift in your thinking or even what you do in your daily routine. Apply these tips and you will get more done.

 

1. Find a career you like.

The most radical tip of all is to find a different career. One of the reasons you might be stuck in the mire of unproductivity is that you hate what you do. That’s a recipe for disaster. If you love your career, you will work harder and complete more tasks.

 

2. Start a company.

Being an entrepreneur has a hidden benefit. If you are the one who will determine the destiny of a company and your employees, you will work harder and complete more projects. In fact, you will push yourself harder knowing your own efforts dictate your success.

 

3. Figure out how to get paid by the job.

Nothing will motivate you to “get it done” than getting paid for each project. You will suddenly work harder if it means you can get paid more. It’s a radical step, and you might have to change professions, but per-project pay is a great motivator.

 

4. Trim down your gadgets.

I’ve recently started using just one smartphone, one tablet, and one laptop. (I used to carry more gadgets around than that.) I’ve also trimmed down the apps I use. When you have to juggle fewer gadgets, you tend to focus more on the work (and charging them less).

 

5. Switch to a more analog lifestyle.

One of the things that has helped me recently is that I tend to journal more using an actual pen and a journal. It boosts my productivity because it gives me a respite from technology. It helps me track my work and get my thoughts in order.

 

6. Find a productivity partner.

Mentoring is often viewed as a way to strategize or overcome some big business problem. You can also see it as a way to boost productivity. Find someone who is more productive than you and ask to meet with them regularly. Find their secrets.

 

7. Get serious about breaks.

A “break” in your day does not mean taking a trip to the coffee bar at work. A proper break should involve a radical change in scenery (e.g., go for a run or meet a friend). Schedule your breaks, embrace them, do something totally different, and you’ll find you get more done.

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