7 Productivity Hacks for 2020

Ah productivity, sometimes it comes and other times it goes, not to be seen again for a while. But when our livelihoods depend on our ability to deliver work within a deadline, there is little room for procrastination or the “it can wait until tomorrow” inner monologue.

The way we muster up our productive selves may differ but there are some universal principles that help cultivate productivity. Incorporate these 7 simple ‘hacks’ into your daily routine. It will surely lead to more work getting done in the measly few hours that you’re awake.

To-Do List

First things first, the to-do list. Every morning you wake up, start the day by creating a to-do list for yourself. It’s a great way to help rattle up your brain from its sleepy state and get organized before the day even starts.

Think about what needs to be done. Write it down, don’t even skip out on writing down “to eat breakfast.” Be thorough with your list and stick with it. It’s all about structuring your day so you know exactly what to do and approximately how long each task will take.

Create a list of things to do on weekends as well. Get into a habit of creating to-do lists for yourself. This will allow you to stay aware of all the things that are productive and make a positive influence in your life and things that don’t offer much benefit.

Take Advantage of Automation

Automation tools are no longer exclusive to the manufacturing industry. Some individuals are reluctant to embrace automation and instead slave away on tasks that can be easily accomplished by software.

Social media, email, invoicing, employee scheduling and other tasks can be done with the help of automation. Save yourself valuable time and focus on the things that really matter - automation will do the menial tasks on your behalf.

One prime example would be the use of modern business banking apps like Amaiz. All you need to do is download an app, scan some key documents and voila you’re able to receive payments with an account number and sort code.

Sneaky bank charges become a thing of the past when you have an automated hack like this working hard in the background to gather, categorise and store all your important data in one convenient place.

Don’t Always Strive for Perfection

You may be a stickler for perfection but don’t let that keep you from actually getting the work done. Some individuals spend too much time attempting to achieve perfection that may not even be possible.

You have to weigh out the cost and benefit that comes with perfection. The very thing you’re working on may already be good and won’t get any better no matter how much effort you put in. Perhaps it’s time for you to move on and start working on another project.  

Sometimes It’s Good to Have Tunnel Vision

Distractions plague our everyday lives, whether it’s the social media profiles or cell phones going off with notifications. Social media and smartphones are a big culprit to our reduced productivity, so try to eliminate that.

If you’re not using your phone for work related purposes, turn it off. Place it somewhere out of reach. Social media profiles should also be avoided if they’re not necessary for work. All the funny cat videos your friends send you can wait.

There are available browser extensions that give you the option of locking certain web pages that pose a distraction. If you notice some websites stealing away your concentration, block them for the day and focus on the task at hand.

Pushing “Through It” May Not Always Work

Even when you take steps to avoid distraction, getting writer’s block and lacking inspiration to be creative are hurdles that can stop us dead in our tracks, making progress seem impossible. It’s a very human thing to encounter and sometimes is unavoidable.

Attempting to “push through it” may not always be the wisest decision. On the contrary, you might just end up staring off into the wall and accomplishing nothing. My advice is when you encounter these mental blocks is just to disconnect a bit from all work related matters. Go and do something completely unrelated to your work.

Take a leisurely stroll, go workout, listen to some music or read a book. Let your mind relax and wind down. It may help get those creative juices flowing again.

Ambient Music is Good; Lyrics - Bad

Wherever you may be, chances are you could encounter some less than ideal noises that can pose a threat to your productivity. That of course can be quickly remedied with the right music. Music may offer you a great way to cultivate a productive atmosphere.

Stay away from music that has lyrics though. Songs that contain lyrics which you understand may actually lead you to sing along distracting you even more. Stick with ambient music without any lyrics and you’re good to go. It’s no wonder why Spotify made on the cut on this awesome list of productivity tools.

Dedicate Time For Self-Growth

Self-improvement is great. It makes you feel better, it boosts your confidence, improves your skills that can be applied in the workplace as well as in your personal life. Don’t neglect yourself and always make time to learn new skills and acquire knowledge.

Uwe Dreissigacker is the founder of online invoicing software InvoiceBerry & also offers free invoice templates to businesses. Small businesses and sole traders can create, send and manage their invoices, quotes and credit notes with the tool. In his free time, Uwe travels the world and enjoys experiencing different cultures.