Optimum productivity requires flexibility. Yes, I know - as far as we’re concerned, the most successful people have “structure” or strict routines. However, the thing about routine is that it sometimes gets boring and too rigid. It doesn’t leave room for fun, spontaneity and in this context, flexibility.
Here are 3 tips I've outlined on how you can start practising flexibility in your daily routine for better productivity:
1. Figure out your optimum working hours:
We live in a society where human beings pride themselves in either being a “morning person” or “night-person”. I mean, if you don’t believe me, just read this short quote from the 5 am Club by Robin S. Sharman: “Own your morning. Elevate your life”.
In reality, those who get up super early cannot begin to fathom being awake or working at 10.00 pm, just like midnight workers can’t be spoken to before their 10.00 am coffee. But the point here is to figure out your optimum hours and get into the habit of working during that time. Especially with the new work-from-home hybrid working style, we can now plan our days better and use hours more efficiently.
Whether it’s during the early hours, late at night, before a shower, after a Netflix show, in bed, on a desk or at a coffee shop, take time to figure out which hours will help you zone in and get the most done.
2. Adopt a character of discipline:
Loosely translated, discipline is doing what you are going to do when you say you're going to do it.
Have you ever found yourself saying things like:
“I’ll start working out on Monday”
“I’ll start on this project after lunch”
“I’ll read the book after this episode”
But for some reason, when that time arrives, you somehow have another excuse cued up?! Yup. You lack discipline.
Newsflash: it doesn’t matter how much you schedule out your time, your day, or your activities if you can never get them done at the end of the day.
Whenever you set out time for fun, time for sports/workouts, time for work, time for family; be true to yourself, show up and be fully present.
3. Remind yourself that it’s about progress over perfection:
Just start! There’s nothing worse than being that person full of great ideas, full of great intentions, full of great talents, but you somehow NEVER get to it.
All talk, no action!
Nothing starts off as perfect. Every great output is a result of the lessons and knowledge, adopted from several reiterations, corrections and adjustments. In fact, the reason the end result is usually so good or seemingly exceptional it's because it has gone through rounds and rounds of quality checks and changes. So, if you often find your productivity is affected by your hectic need to produce “perfection”, I kindly urge you to relax!
You can always make corrections later!
You can always re-look at your work later!
You can always make further adjustments later!
The goal is to finish, and you will never do that if you don’t start!
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This article was written by Guest Writer, Horesia Nyawade.
An Accountability Coach & Digital Visibility Strategist based in Johannesburg, South Africa. She supports high-performing individuals to achieve their goals while maintaining a sustainable work-life balance.
In her spare time, she loves practising yoga, baking and seasonal hiking.
Book a free 30 min discovery session with Horesia where she will support you through a mindset change journey and help you get things done!
You can learn more about her via the links below:
Website: www.horesia.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coach_horesia/
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