7 Productivity Strategies to Help You Reach Your Goals in 2024
Several years ago, Brenda*, a 37-year-old marketing executive, contacted me for productivity consulting. She had heard about me from one of her mentors. She was interested in taking her career to the next level. She felt several factors were blocking her from reaching her full potential.
She described worrying a lot and not having the zest she used to earlier in her career. This interfered with her productivity. We scheduled an hour to discuss her challenges as well as her thinking about the challenges. As a coach and consultant, I felt confident that Brenda had many of the answers and ideas about her current situation. However, perhaps, like a diamond in the rough, she just needed to polish her thinking.
During our initial conversation, after closely listening to her challenges and goals, we discussed working together regularly. We used seven productivity strategies that have been effective for many of my clients. Below, I would like to share these strategies with you.
1. OBSERVE RUMINATION
Rumination is thinking about the same thing over and over. It can sap your energy and take the “wind out of your sails.” This can interfere with your productivity. Attempting to stop the thoughts can often make them persist. Instead, label them as “ruminating thoughts” and turn your focus to another activity.
One technique that you may find helpful is saying, “Oh…there is obsessing” or “Oh…there is worry”. Just observe what happens when you name the thought. Research has shown that this can lower the intensity and duration. During corporate coaching, I help my clients observe their rumination patterns and clarify their thinking.
2. INCREASE STRUCTURE
Successful professionals struggle with time management, initiating tasks, organization, follow-through, and prioritizing. Chronically feeling overwhelmed can lead to worry and exhaustion.
Having a schedule or “game plan”, can help one feel calmer. Using a calendar, either paper or digital, can help structure tasks and time. This can help with productivity and organization.
3. SELF-TALK
Many professionals, despite past successes, often feel they will never catch up or achieve their goals. You may recognize some of the self-talk:
● “I am always screwing things up.”
● “I will never be good enough.”
● “This will never work for me.”
This type of self-talk is often called the inner critic and can sap energy like rumination. Often, I encourage my patients to do the following:
● Notice the inner critic.
● As above, label it. “Oh….There is the inner critic.”
● Remind yourself: “I am a work in progress”.
This may sound like positive talk or unrealistic, but thousands of studies for many decades have shown that how we talk to ourselves affects how we feel and behave and has been shown to improve our productivity.
This concept is the basis of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
4. IMPROVE SLEEP
There has been more attention over the past decade on the connection between sleep deprivation and diminished productivity. Restorative and adequate sleep is essential not only for energy but also for cognitive functioning.
Some tips to improve intermittent sleeping difficulties include:
● Avoid electronic devices for three to four hours before bedtime.
● Establishing a consistent evening routine.
● Creating a calm, uncluttered sleeping environment.
● Use earplugs or a white noise machine if needed.
● Exercising during the day and not within three hours of bedtime.
Suppose you suffer from significantly low energy during the day or chronic insomnia. In that case, it may help your productivity to seek treatment from your doctor about potential underlying medical causes of fatigue.
5. FUN
Often, successful and highly productive people can feel overwhelmed or without enough time that fun or pleasurable activities are ignored. People may say, “I don’t have time to relax or have fun,” or “I don’t deserve to do that.”
However, the fun can energize you and help you have a better outlook and be more productive. Fun can involve watching a comedy, playing with your dog, visiting friends, or pursuing an artistic passion.
6. SET GOALS
Like a map, having specific goals can help you stay on track. As you progress in your goals, it can provide momentum and guidance on your journey.
As your corporate coach, I would recommend that you create both short-term (e.g. one month) and long-term (e.g. one year) goals. The research has shown that specific goals increase productivity.
Practical goals usually have specific outcomes (e.g., increased sales by $10,000 or eating meals with the family three times a week), a game plan or strategy, and, most importantly, a means to measure the outcome (e.g. a chart or checklist).
7. CARDIOVASCULAR EXERCISE
Cardiovascular exercises such as biking, running, dancing, swimming, and other activities benefit our overall health. In addition, cardiovascular exercise can improve our sense of well-being, energy, and productivity.
There are many hypotheses as to why cardiovascular exercise has this benefit, including releasing endorphins and increasing a “motivational transmitter” called dopamine.
SUMMARY
After Barbara and I worked together for over four months, Barbara clarified her thinking about her most important personal and professional goals as well as strategies for achieving them. Her productivity greatly improved.
In addition, with the collaborative consulting process that included clarifying her thinking, developing specific action steps and due dates, and exploring new strategies we discussed, Barbara felt re-energized and more engaged at work.
In addition, she was managing her team more effectively, and her colleagues acknowledged her. Interestingly, within a year, with her new energy and confidence, she secured a new job that was a significant step up in a leadership position with a much higher salary.
As you pursue success in your personal and professional life, there can be many challenges in sustaining your engagement, energy, and motivation. I hope these seven ideas help to provide you with the stamina and energy to achieve your highest potential.
If you want to learn more about productivity consulting, please visit my website at www.theproductivitycoachnyc.com.
*Disclaimer: Details of cases have been altered to protect the confidentiality of any individuals.