How to get more done in less time: 5 steps for mindful productivity
You have a lot you want to do and achieve.
Whether it is on your business, a side hustle, at your job, in your home, or on a creative project, your work truly matters. You want to be productive and get great work done, but it often feels like there is just not enough time in the day.
Whenever you do finally have a moment for your work, at some point you will inevitably find yourself
On a random Instagram account
Scrubbing the kitchen counter
Halfway through a box of crackers
Adding a 4th item to your cart
Texting the friend you haven’t spoken to in 6 months
Thinking…wait how did I get here????
As if, just by blinking, you teleported to another dimension.
The problem, is that when you are feeling so pressed for time (or “time poor”), you feel immense pressure to maximize the time you do have, so you jump head first naked into the freezing water to get to your destination.
When in fact, it would be easier, faster, and more enjoyable, if you took a moment to prepare yourself.
You need to set up your work for success and focus. Because without that proper preparation, you’re swimming (naked) upstream, against the current.
You are so busy that when you finally have the chance to get to work, you jump right in, without grabbing the paddles. But in doing so, you set yourself up for a bombardment of distractions and obstacles. You haven’t given yourself the resources or created the necessary boundaries to deal with them. You are unprepared and unprotected.
So, even though you thought you needed to jump right in to maximize your time, you end up being far less productive. You are getting less done in more time AND feeling less satisfied with your work.
On top of all that, when you feel pressed for time and unprepared, you may have a tendency to hold tension in your body or even hold your breath (think about that feeling of jumping into the freezing water). So, you will likely feel more tired, stressed, and exhausted, even though you have not been very productive.
Oy!
The good news is that I have a simple method for taking charge of your time and feeling awesome about your output.
The process infuses boundary setting, mindfulness, and nervous system regulation into your work. All of this will give you the calm and the focus to make the most of your precious time.
Your work is important, so let’s get you actually DOING it.
To do great work and feel more energized, productive and satisfied about it, try these 4 simple and quick steps.
This process will help you set boundaries to protect your work, your wellbeing, and your time.
The 5 steps to mindful productivity:
Define.
Define what you are working on and how long you will spend on your task. I recommend trying shorter bursts of focused work to begin with.
Ask yourself: “What is the outcome I would like and feel satisfied with from this work session?”
Examples:
I will practice scales on my instrument for 20 minutes
I will write 1 blog post in 1 hour.
I will clean out the kitchen pantry for 15 minutes
I will respond to emails for 10 minutes
Prepare.
Prepare your space. Remove any visual distractions and have everything you will need ready.
Use what I call a “focus helper”:
Light a candle
Take out a crystal
Grab your noise canceling headphones
Wear your cozy slippers
Play a special playlist
Write your “why” on a sticky note and set it nearby
Protect.
Protect your time:
Tell anyone who needs to be told that you do not want to be disturbed during this time.
Set a timer on your phone
Put your phone on “do not disturb” or “airplane mode”.
Breathe.
Take 3 deep, clearing breaths to get grounded and centered.
Breathe in clarity, breathe out distractions.
Breathe in for 2, breathe out for 4.
Breathe in for 4, breathe out for 8.
Now begin. Dive in and enjoy getting into the flow of your focused work.
Pause.
When the time is up and you are done the set work session, and want to keep going, take an intentional pause. That could mean you:
Step outside and breathe in fresh air
Go for a walk
Stretch and roll around on the ground
Do some jumping jacks
Read a few lines in a book
Put on fun music and bust a move
Taking this pause will refresh your mind and body for your next session of focused and fulfilling work. After your pause, do Step 1, Define again.
I recommend this process for all different types of work. Working from home, at the office, cleaning out a closet, practicing an instrument, reading a book. These steps will help you achieve your goals. This approach will also help you to greatly reduce stress and prevent burnout.
I also recommend using this process as you dive into the Bright Future Guide + Workbook. Get in touch and let me know what you are working on or if you found this helpful by sending me a message.
❤︎ Emily