Running a business + working full time means that I don’t have time to be lazy, uninspired, or to procrastinate. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, but the other side of that coin is to just come to a full stop, ignoring all responsibility. Let’s not let that happen, okay?
Your space matters. Where do you get a majority of your work done? Is it where you’re meant to get work done? See, for me, I have an office, but I was doing most of my work at the kitchen bar on on the couch. Inspiration and productivity came to a full stop whenever I was in my office. I couldn’t figure it out since I practically lived in my office in Buies Creek. Then it dawned on me. My desk was facing a wall. Talk about feeling closed in. I did some rearranging and boom! Productivity returns!
Cut out distractions. I work from home the first half of every day. It’s such a blessing but only if I actually utilize the time I have. While I do a pretty great job not falling into the Netflix trap (Netflix is for getting ready and evenings only), my phone has become my #1 nemesis. I have a hard time not answering phone calls when someone I love calls me. I read every text that comes through. I’m tempted to scroll instagram, which only opens a whole new can of worms. So when I sit down at my desk, I turn my phone to airplane mode. I crank out so much work just taking away the option to be distracted by my phone. It works wonders, people!
Hold yourself accountable. Besides being distracted by my phone, I was falling even further behind because what would happen is I’d read every message that came through, reply mentally, then forget all about it. I turned read receipts back on in iMessage. While everyone hates read receipts, it encourages me to only look at a text when I have the time to reply. It’s also eliminated my desire to run to my phone when it pings (after work-from-home-hours, of course).
Plan ahead. I plan what my workday should look like from the night before, putting the most important tasks at the top. Knowing exactly what I need to work on when I wake up each morning takes making any decisions out of the equation. Eliminating that decision eliminates the desire to procrastinate. I find that I procrastinate the most when I can’t decide what to do next. I go a step further and schedule the time that I’ll complete each project. iCal and the Simplified Planner come in super duper handy for this.
I think we all have it in us to be productive and successful, we just have to find the recipe that works for us! I’m constantly experimenting, trying to find the perfect solution to every time-wasting problem. What are some of your tips and tricks for being super productive?
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You already know that I just LOVE your office space! I so hope we have space for a proper desk in our new place because goodness that would help a girl out so much 😉
I love the colour scheme of your office, it looks like such a lovely space to be in!
Hollie 🙂 hollieshighlights.blogspot.co.uk
Your teal color scheme is totally my thing… wait til you see the nursery reveal! I love your productivity hacks – especially deciding what to do the night before. Sometimes having the decision made makes all the difference in the world. Happy Thursday!
Your office looks so cute! Amazing what a little rearranging can do for your creativity.
I get everything I possibly can ready the night before. Because I'll forget something in the morning.
No cell phone and I am super productive.
Amen girlfriend! I love that first sentence. You literally nailed it!
xo,
Sara Kate Styling
Obsessed with your office color scheme – so light and pretty <3
Green Fashionista
I could be much more productive in your office too!! There's something about that color that is so peaceful! 🙂
I get really distracted by Instagram too, and snapchat. sometimes I just leave my phone in a different room.
I love that you turned your desk away from the wall, great idea!
Your office space is so nicely done! Mine is a definite mish-mash. Maybe I need a colour scheme. I find the sneak-attack method works for procrastination – start by doing something similar to the thing you're supposed to be doing, but fun. Then suddenly switch to your actual work. Tada! Suddenly you're working and you had no idea. I'm pretty sure this is not a tried and approved anti-procrastination method. Use at your own risk.
It's so important to have a place that you can be productive.
I am so bad at being productive lately! Taking these notes and hoping I can get some stuff done!
Love these tips! And, you're office looks great!
xoxo
Kat
I'm all about making myself to do lists. Seeing something visually makes me want to cross it off!
I love your office space! And you're right ignoring the phone helps a lot more than constantly picking it up and answering texts all day.
liz @ sundays with sophie
Great tips. Thanks for sharing! I love all the sunlight streaming into your office. It looks so inviting.
I am obsessed with To Do Lists and crossing stuff off of them. Jake once accused me of creating lists just for that purpose. Ha! But now I have everything electronic so I actually have an excel to do list where I don't cross off, I delete!
your office is so adorable! love all these tips, a great idea about turning the phone on airplane mode. my worst thing is the internet, like right now, i should be working and… i'm not. sssh.
Grea tips! I think I should definitely start at utilizing airplane mode! This week, I've been planning each day the night before and it has helped my productivity so much. xo, Champagne&Suburbs
I want your desk space so badly! Super cute.
I want your desk space so badly! Super cute.