The Four Habits of Highly Productive People

Everyone wants to be more efficient at work, but this can sometimes seem like an impossible task. There are only so many hours in the day. How can you get more work done without spending every single one of those hours at your desk?

The difference between the average person and someone who's mastered the art of productivity is usually a habit. Cultivate the practices listed below, and you might surprise yourself with how much you manage to get done in a day.

Meet fast

Meetings are crucial for keeping everyone on the same page, and ensuring that a group remains on task. Often, however, meetings are badly-organized, and end up wasting more time than they save.

Before organizing a meeting, ask yourself if it's necessary. Go in with a clear idea of what you want to achieve. Then set a time limit for the meeting as a whole. Some companies hold their meetings standing up, which serves as a constant reminder that this meeting shouldn't last all day.

Take a nap

It may seem counter-intuitive to try and get some sleep when you're trying to be more productive. However, study after study has shown that trying to work when deprived of sleep is a complete waste of time. Not only does your productivity drop, but there's a significant rise in the frequency of mistakes.

Instead, save time by ensuring that you get a good night's sleep, or set aside time to take a brief nap if tired. Researchers note that a 20-minute nap in the middle of the day will refresh you without leaving you fatigued.

Keep things tidy

An untidy office can be a time suck. Not only will you lose precious minutes hunting for things you need amongst the mess, but you'll also be distracted by things that have nothing to do with the task you're working on at the moment.

Make an effort to keep your workspace neat and tidy, and you'll notice an instant boost in your focus and productivity. Not only that, but you'll immediately feel less stressed and more in control of your working day.

Get outdoors

A study by the California Energy Commission revealed that having access to sunshine is excellent for productivity, with some workers performing up to 25 percent better when situated near a window. If you want to be productive, make sure your workspace is lit by natural light.

What if you don't have a window in your office? A walk in the sun at lunchtime can provide a much-needed boost. As well as getting you those vital rays of sunshine, gentle exercise has also been shown to boost productivity and mental function.

Productivity isn't always about working faster or cramming more into your working day. Instead, you can boost your productivity by forming and maintaining habits like the ones listed above. Keep meetings short, keep your desk tidy, take a walk each day, and nap when you need to. You might be surprised at how much these simple tasks can skyrocket your efficiency.

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