Being productive is not my forte. If I had a penny for every time I’ve been sat staring blankly at the computer screen or spring cleaning my room – because it was so much more urgent than tomorrows blog post – I would be rich my friend. But I’m not, I’m broke and unproductive.
However, I have found some handy ways of making the most of my time, little tricks I use to focus and if I really cannot focus, ways to still be productive.
5 steps to being more productive
write manageable lists
I am queen list maker. There’s nothing I love more than writing lists, even as a child I wrote lists upon lists – at least now they have some form of use, though I have been know to write things I’ve already done purely for the sense of achievement when ticking it off.
When you write a list, you should always be super realistic. Don’t write an a4 to do list – you ain’t never gonna get that done in a day and when you don’t you’ll feel like a failure. I also find that personally, if I see a huge list I instantly remember something else I could do to avoid said scary list. Writing a more manageable list makes you way more productive – and if you really must have your a4 list, split it into manageable chunks.
Background noise is a good thing
Personally, I cannot concentrate in deadly silence, my mind wanders and before I know it I’m at the checkout on Asos and the blog post is just a distant memory. blog post who?
I find there’s a fine line when it comes to background noise, it has to be something to fill the silence without drawing your attention away from your writing. For me, the radio works best for this heart FM I salute you, I do love Grimmy but the presenters on Radio 1 are far too talky and distracting!
This little radio I was sent from EMIE has been my absolute saviour. It’s about the size of an a6 piece of paper, lightweight and totally instagrammable. Small, lightweight and photogenic . . in other words a bloggers dream, perfect for those ‘work situation” shots! Obviously it does have a function too, background noise. . because it’s small I’ve been carrying it round everywhere with me, by the shower, in the kitchen . .probably not socially acceptable to take it on the train . .
Don’t procrastinate
Procrasination is the thief of joy. I truly believe this, how can you ever relax when you know you should be doing something else? If you do something, see it through from start to finish and don’t stop to clean out your make up drawer – it has been known.
I am queen of procrastinating, there’s always someone who wants to go for lunch or the dog needs walking and I haven’t washed my make up brushes in ages. Honestly the things I’ll do to avoid working.
Preparation is key
I always schedule my posts because I find it hard to write if I’m not in the mood, I can’t just force it out and if I do it’s utter codswallop. This is when preparation comes into play. If you’re not in the writing mood then you can still be productive by preparing your posts so that you can just do the writing when you get the urge.
Label and insert the images, do the titles, write bullet points, do your meta description, add the tags. . basically anything you can do, do it.
Take regular breaks
The key to being more productive is fresh air and food. I find that I’m more productive in short bursts than if I just sit at the computer non stop all day. Going out and getting some fresh air does you the world of good and stops you from getting square eyes.
Manageable lists, background noise and regular breaks are the way forward . . I’m telling you guys!
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This post is in collaboration with Emie
I literally just felt like I was reading a post about all of my bad procrastination habits! Good to know I’m not alone. And hell, I do love a good list.
Victoria | dearvictoria.co.uk
We’re all in this together! haha!
I’ll admit, I’m procrastinating by reading this post! I have emails waiting but I love a sneaky blog read. I’ll have to rename Bloglovin as ‘the thief of joy’. I wish I had your discipline!
Jess
Philocalist.co.uk
Oh no! STOP procrastinating – but still read my posts haha!
That little radio is so sweet – Love it!
Isn’t it? I love that you can carry it round and it doesn’t need batteries! Batteries are such a ballache!
I love a good list! Fab post Sinead! Xx
Thanks hun!
Love these tips. I am a to-do list queen to. I love them and ticking things out is so satisfying that I am much more productive. Have you ever hear of the bullet journals? I have one and it is my addiction now. I am much more organized, productive and motivated! Here is my recent post on it if you want to know a bit more of what it is
No I’ll have a look, I love notebooks and journals and stationary in general!
I totally get you with the long lists becoming scary! I use an app called trello which is super helpful as I can just put my lists in catorgories.
Great post and great tips!
I’m going to look up that app now! Thanks hun!
The last two tips, preparation & taking breaks, are things I’ve been trying to do lately with my blog. I used to expect myself to sit down on the days I need to blog & think that that’s when I needed to write my posts. I’ve discovered that posting doesn’t have to be done all in one sitting. It gets too overwhelming that way. And when you do start to feel overwhelmed, it’s okay to stop & take a break, no matter how much work you have. This was a lovely post. I love list posts. They are fun & easy to read. 🙂
Kate
Thanks hun! I’ll bear this in mind and do more list posts!
Love the radio SO much. I’m so bad at sitting in silence because I end up shopping and procrastinating too so I always have something quiet on in the background. One thing I need to do is take breaks because sometimes if I’m invested in editing photos or whatever I can end up staring at a screen for like 2 hours without realising!
I know what you mean! I mainly get distracted by online shopping and I’m not quite sure how I can stop that!
Such great tips. I’m a nightmare for procrastinating! Haha. I totally agree about background noise. I made the mistake earlier this week when working from home of putting Pretty Little Liars on in the background. Needless to say, not much working happened! I definitely find the radio a better background noise. x
I know I used to blog with Homeland on in the background – no wonder I used to struggle to do 2 posts a week!
Great tips. I love a bit of background noise and that radio is super cute. I usually have mtv on in the background but then get distracted and end up watching it instead!! Whilst staring at my huge unachievable list!!
Great tips- I’m taking these on board
Lisa X
hahaha I hear ya sister!
These tips are awesome, and so true! I feel like your me! Hah. I need to line up and schedule posts all the time, I usually write a few over the weekend and schedule them for the week. I never feel like writing after a long day at work. And lists, lists are my favourite tool. I have a ridiculous amount of notebooks and list apps 😀
Breanne | http://www.myhealthycurves.com
I know what you mean! Promoting them is enough work in the week!
Lovely tips! Procrastination is my one problem zone – I can be super organised, but when I get distracted, it’s so hard to get back on track! I did a post like this too a few weeks ago: http://herlittleloves.blogspot.com/2016/04/5-ways-to-be-more-productive.html (just in case you’re interested!) 🙂
– Ambar x
http://www.herlittleloves.blogspot.com
Oh my god SAME