A PERSPECTIVE FOR PRODUCTIVITY

Do you know what most of us nowadays have in common? “We’re too busy!” We often hear that phrase when asking other people how things are going with their work. In all fairness, there are busy people. Consider me, I work 12-hour shifts as a nurse, then go home to teach and play with the kids, then take time to write and study as a bible teacher. Not to mention my freelance writing job and other engagements. Do I have the right to say "I'm busy?", in a way, but the short answer is a big NO! Why? Because I enjoy what I'm doing. The main key to being productive is changing our mindset. Tomorrow is another day so why worry? Focus on today and take one step at a time. We heard the saying "a mind is a terrible thing to waste" that is certainly true! How you perceive your situation can have a profound effect on your productivity. So why don't we start things by waking up in the morning, take a deep long breath and say thank you to God that you are still alive? Sounds easy right. Then try not to overcrowd your thoughts with all the tasks ahead. Use that big brain of yours instead and narrow things down. Here are some tips:

ORGANIZE AND WRITE

All those upcoming tasks, all those commitments should be written down in a clear paper (or any paper for that matter). By doing this, your mind becomes free from the usual energy- and the attention- draining job of trying to remember and organize everything. When off track, just take a simple look at what you wrote and you'll be back on track in no time.

TURN OFF ANY DISTRACTION

One of the major productivity killers is the distraction of constant interruptions. In today's cyber age, these distractions come from smartphones. People are more addicted to their smartphones than they were in the past. So whenever there is an important task that requires attention and focus, create the needed space to give it your best.

MANAGE ENERGY AND TIME

We know that we need to be good at time management. But how do we incorporate that with a holistic perspective? We always need to consider the needs of the body. Our brains are supercomputers, but even more powerful. Just like any computer, the brain also heats up. Ever wonder why you start yawning? it's because the yawning is the brain's mechanism to cool down. An exhausted brain can barely think, so don't force the issue. Good energy and time management is to know when our peak hours are and try to finish the hard tasks at that time.

HAVE SOME BREAKS

Everyone has their limit. Knowing where your limit it is could be a difference-maker between being productive and burn-out. Fatigue— both physical and/or mental—can certainly impair effectiveness. So try to schedule breaks like taking a ten-minute stand or stretch, and even have a walk around to promote blood circulation. If there are no chances for that along the way. It's also good to take time off and just rest, relax and recharge. An increase in productivity follows afterward.

ALWAYS RE-HYDRATE

We do realize our bodies are made up of 70% water right? So never forget to rehydrate and replenish those lost fluids especially water. An active brain can drain lots of sugar and fluid. (no wonder you feel hungry and thirsty even by just sitting down and analyzing). Dehydration can cause the brain and the body to experience fatigue faster. Drinking water is the most inexpensive yet most effective way to be productive.

LEARN FROM FAILURES AND SUCCESSES

Everyone is prone to error in one way or another. That's what makes us human beings. Being productive doesn't necessarily mean quantity over quality. Those two will always go side by side. So how do we stay with that mindset? By learning from past failures and correcting them appropriately. Learning also from successes is equally important to look back because productivity means consistency. So what better way to maintain consistency than to replicate the successes of the past. Yet always be humble, because we know that pride goes before destruction

FINISH STRONG

I remember the time when I was learning how to play the guitar. I only practiced the intro of songs but never learned to finish one song. Same goes in life, What's the use of starting good and strong yet never be able to finish it. Never divert from the process even though it would be hard and dark there is always light at the end. Focus on that goal and follow through. When writing down, never miss the goal. It will always remind us why we started in the first place.

ENJOY THE JOURNEY

When all has been said and done, we need to take a look back and reminisce on how we went through the journey. If given the chance, will we do it again or will we take another route? But one thing is for sure, no one can travel back in time to undo the past. We only have to understand that we only have today. And that we can learn how to have joy. It's always good to have a journal or a diary to document how we went through life. We never know the next generation might just find tips from you.

CONCLUSION

I know there are more productivity tips out there. But for those who are reading this, I am telling what worked for me and just sharing my own experience. When things don't go according to plan, it is always good to have a solid structure in life. Never be afraid of what others might say. You don't live for them. So start now while you have the chance to renew perspectives. remember that it always starts with our mindset.