Being productive isn’t just important when you’re learning to code. Whether you’re working on a project, cramming for a test, or struggling to meet a deadline at work, knowing how to maximize your efficiency is extremely beneficial. So how do you boost your productivity?
Before I share my strategy, I would like to point out that it’s based on my experience, and it may not work for everyone. It could work great for you, or you may find it doesn’t work at all, although I highly doubt that. Regardless, implementing the following tips allowed me to write and edit this post in under two hours, so there’s definitely something to be said for it.
Put your head down and focus
My strategy for boosting productivity essentially consists of taking an hour of your time, putting your head down, and just powering through what you’re working on. I’ve decided to call it the Power Hour, which has a nice ring to it.
Try doing a Power Hour. Of course, it doesn’t need to be an hour. I recommend setting aside at least half an hour, since if you stop any sooner you’ll likely be right in the middle of what you’re doing. On the other hand, it’s important to take breaks, so be mindful of when your brain is asking for one.
Minimize disruptions
If you’ve ever been disrupted while you were “in the zone”, you’ll understand the importance of minimizing the chances of it happening again. When someone or something interrupts your flow, even if it’s only for two minutes, it will often take at least ten minutes to get back into it. That’s assuming you manage to reattain your previous level of focus, which isn’t always possible.
If you live or work with others, ask them not to disturb you for the next hour or so. Closing your door might also help, especially if doing so reduces noise.
Don’t try to multitask
Even if you think you can multitask, you really can’t. While you may be capable of doing two things at once, you cannot be one hundred percent focused on one thing while doing something else at the same time. It doesn’t make sense in theory, and it doesn’t work in practice.
Social media platforms are designed to draw your attention and suck you in, so you need to temporarily remove yourself from them. Don’t give them a foothold. On your computer, close (or at least disable notifications/mute) any tabs and apps you have open. As for your phone, leave it in a different room. If you need to be reachable, keep it in earshot but out of sight. That way you won’t be distracted by every notification that pops up—as long you turn off sounds.
Make your work environment a productive place
Put on some music. Keep in mind that not all music will affect your productivity equally. I personally work best with instrumental music. If a song contains lyrics, I’ll start listening to those and get distracted.
Clear your workspace. If you’re the kind of person that needs a clean desk to be able to think clearly, do some cleaning!
Have a water bottle in close proximity. I’ve found that if I don’t, I simply won’t drink. Staying hydrated is important, and having a bottle near you will keep you from deciding to forgo water in favor of not disrupting your workflow. On the flip side, if you use getting a drink as an excuse to help you procrastinate, it’ll prevent that too.
It comes down to focus
In the end, focus is the key to boosting your productivity. Try to minimize disruptions, don’t multitask, and make your workspace more productivity-friendly. Doing these three things will improve your ability to focus, setting you up for success and helping you get things done.
