10 Habits of Highly Productive People

Ever wonder how some people are able to tackle multiple projects faster and more efficiently than others? Chances are they practice a few daily habits that help them keep their energy and focus levels high. Here are 10 habits of highly productive people that you can start doing today.

• Prioritize your to-do list – Highly productive people don’t have less on their plate. In fact, they may have more roles and responsibilities than the average person. But in spite of having a lot to do, they focus only on the tasks that yield the highest value.
• Use the 80/20 rule – If you spend 20% of your day completely focused on working on the important tasks or goals, you’ll reap 80% of the desired result. Productive people are masters of the 80/20 Rule and use this rule daily to get the most out of their time. 
• Stop multitasking – Multitasking may seem like a great way to get more done at work, but in fact it limits your productivity and the quality of work you do throughout the day. Focus on one task at a time before moving on to the next task and try to shut out any distractions such as emails, social media alerts, phone calls and text messages.
• Set goals and assign timelines – A goal without a timeline is like a recipe without ingredients. Goals need to be broken down and assigned timelines for the various action items involved or the goal will seem insurmountable from the start and won’t have any urgency attached to it. With a timeline, you’ll feel less overwhelmed and more driven to avoid distractions.
• Check your inbox at set times – Productive people know that constantly checking emails throughout the day is a productivity killer. Plan a morning, afternoon and evening time slot to manage your inbox.
• Set boundaries – Productive people set boundaries in terms of how they allocate their time, energy levels, and their attention spans. They say “no” to unimportant and non-urgent tasks. They respect their physical, emotional, and mental limits. They set aside ample time to rest. They meticulously evaluate opportunities. They have work-life balance.
• Automate and delegate – Productive people know their strengths and their weaknesses. For the tasks that aren’t the best use of their time or effort, they automate or delegate them.
• Take strategic breaks – Don’t burn yourself out. Take a few minutes to stand up, stretch, eat lunch or go for a walk before getting back to work. Productive people know that taking incremental breaks throughout the day will help them to focus more on the tasks at hand.
• Make sleep a priority – Not getting enough sleep can cause you to work slower, and become less focused throughout the day. Productive people organize their day and prioritize work around getting into bed and waking up at a consistent time so their minds and bodies function at peak performance.
• Balance home and work – The secret to real productivity is not focusing solely on work. Even if your job is your passion, balancing your personal relationships and downtime with work time is integral to being productive. Make time for family, friends, exercise and relaxation, so you can enjoy the fruits of your labor and keep yourself from burning out.

Adapted from an article on entrepreneur.com by Murray Newlands

This material is not intended to be relied upon as a statement of the law, and is not to be construed as legal, tax or investment advice.  You are encouraged to consult your legal, tax or investment professional for specific advice.  The material is meant for general illustration and/or informational purposes only.  Although the information has been gathered from sources believed to be reliable, no representation is made as to its accuracy.