How to Make Your Progress Go Faster

Trying to do too much at once is unproductive.

If you are easily distracted, getting through a project from start to finish can be next to impossible. Or perhaps focus isn't your problem, but rather interruptions such as phone calls, text message notifications and people knocking on your door. Whatever the reason for your slow progress, applying a few techniques can speed things up and before you know it, you will be on to the next task.

Instructions

1. Plan ahead. If you have a deadline, schedule time on your calendar or in your day planner to devote entirely to your project.

2. Inform others that you have work to do and unless it's an emergency, you are not to be disturbed.

3. Prioritize and make sure you have already completed other tasks with previous deadlines. You won't be able to give your attention completely to what you are working on if in the back of your mind you are thinking about payroll sheets that were due yesterday or a conference call you are expecting later in the day that you aren't yet prepared for.

4. Pace yourself. Keep in mind that Rome wasn't built in a day. Likewise, just because you've decided to take action in order to increase productivity, you can't expect to get things done twice as fast and have everything fall into place like you wish it would.

5. Focus on one thing at a time. Resist the temptation to multi-task and instead apply your time and effort to your work at hand.

6. 

   Phone conversations can keep you from completing your tasks.

   Don't be a slave to your smartphone. Refuse to give in to the urge to check your messages every time you hear your phone beep. Better yet, put it on silent mode.

7. Schedule breaks every hour or two to have a drink of water, check messages and stretch your legs. Don't use your breaks to have a quick game of solitaire or any other addictive computer games.

8. Eat properly. Noshing all day on the wrong kinds of food can make you feel tired and listless. Whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables are power foods that provide you with energy to get the job done.

9. Get enough sleep. The inability to focus can be due in part to lack of shuteye. According to a survey conducted by the Better Sleep Council in 2008, those who didn't get enough sleep reported a decrease in quality of work and noted that they had trouble making decisions.

10. 

    Take time out in order to get more done.

    Don't neglect physical activity. Though you may feel as though you can't leave your computer or desk until the job is completed, a break in the middle of the day to go for a walk or an hour to work out at the gym can do wonders for your progress.

References

• Life Learning Today: 25 Tips to Become More Productive and Happy at Work
• The Better Sleep Council: Sleep and Work Productivity
• National Business Group on Health: Physical Activity and Productivity