5 Steps to Improve Productivity and Build Success in Your Life and Career

Many of us struggle with productivity and focus in your jobs and careers. Here are five steps you can try to increase your productivity and find greater success in your job and in your life.

1. There's an app for that. Many routine tasks we need to do in our lives and at work can be made simpler and more effective by using technology to help us. Often we think of technology as enslaving us as we spend too much time on social media but look to find apps and sites like IFTTT to make your life easier.

2. Develop a routine. The discipline of following a routine, similar to an athlete in training, can help you be much more productive than when you let each day rule you with the tyranny of the immediate.

3. Focus on your health and wellness. You cannot underestimate the importance of daily meditation, exercise, healthy eating, and good and adequate sleep on your ability to be productive and successful. Incorporate these aspects of your life into a routine, as mentioned above, and you'll find yourself enjoying greater success.

4. Plan for success. Take time each day to plan out the key tasks and responsibilities you have for the following day. You're more productive when you plan your day out, allowing you to more easily accommodate and integrate surprises into your schedule as they come up.

5. Tackle the most difficult task first. One simple strategy that will pay significant dividends for your productivity is to take on your most pressing task immediately and work to complete it before moving on to something else. You'll find that knocking out a difficult or dreaded item on your to-do list first thing motivates you to get more day and take on some of those things you really enjoy with more energy.

5 Tips to Work More Effectively and Productively

If you find that your days seem to run into each other and you're constantly working on yesterday's to-do list, here are 5 tips to manage your work day more effectively and productively.

1. Start the day with a tall glass of water and some energizing food. You need energy and strength to be at your best and so it's important to hydrate with water when you awake and to eat something high in protein and low in sugar, in order to avoid a crash later in the morning.

2. Identify your top 3 tasks the night before. Your day should start the previous night or afternoon. At some point in your day identify the top 3 tasks you need to complete tomorrow and write them down.

3. Ignore email and complete your most important task first. Avoid getting bogged down by email early in your day. Save the email for the afternoon and attack your most important task of the day first. Once that is completed you'll experience a great surge of energy and pride in your work.

4. Work in 45 minute bursts followed by a short break. Allow yourself to focus more efficiently by working hard but briefly on your tasks and then allowing time for a short break. If you work for 45 minutes and follow that with a 10-15 minute walk you'll return to your work with more focus.

5. Eliminate everything in your in-box before the day ends. Attack your email and clear out your in-box in the afternoon, once you've completed your most important tasks. Respond to necessary emails and file away those you need to save. Stop working with an in-box empty and you'll feel a great sense of accomplishment and won't spend the evening worrying about the items you need to deal with.

Implement these 5 tips and your work day will be much more efficient and productive.

Ways to Win at Work

To be successful and “win at work” typically requires a consistent combination of positive actions, behaviors, and overall mindset. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, consider the following when establishing a path to career success.
Traits that Lead to Success
Just because people who are hard-working, ambitious, and self-motivated are often thought to come by these character traits naturally doesn’t mean others can’t develop similar traits. One way to do so is by observing those behaviors in others and then modeling them. To succeed, you must be diligent, motivated, and committed to doing your very best work. Note though, that success can be defined many different ways. For some it is position and salary and for others it is a sense of pride and satisfaction in a job well done.
Do Every Task Well
Every task you’re responsible for should be done well—even the menial ones. Much of your professional reputation will be based on the quality of your work. To complete tasks well and on time, be sure to manage your time, prioritize the tasks, and use strategies that work for you. For example, some prefer to complete the most difficult task first, while others, who are motivated by progress, begin by finishing several smaller tasks first.
Accept Change and Challenges
You will most certainly encounter change and challenges in your work, probably more often than you may have anticipated. Companies expect employees to adapt quickly to change and work through challenges. The pace of business, technology, and a global economy is rapid, so it is important to stay abreast of and flexible about the changes that impact you on a micro and macro level.
Continue Learning
There should never be a point in your career or life when you stop learning—even if it’s learning from your mistakes. Learning fosters new skills and knowledge that will help you remain relevant and develop professionally and personally.