5 Lazy Ways to Get More Productive

Sharon Moore May 13, 2014

You have probably experienced it many times. You know you’ve got a lot of things to do but you can’t just get started. Distractions are everywhere – from that pain in your low back to the endless worries that bug your mind. And pretty soon the day is gone. The next day you feel like cramming. You feel guilty because again, you haven’t done what you’re supposed to do.

You already know perhaps some key strategies to stay productive. These include making your own to-do list, starting early, removing all the clutter, etc. But when we can’t make time to attend to things that feed us in deeper ways or things that give us a sense of fulfilment, it can be hard to stay motivated. So we should all strive to inject a sense of fun and mindful moments in our daily routine.

Here are some ways to think about creating more room in your day. At first they may seem unappealing and not really helpful, but actually, they can be of great help.

Procrastinate.

They say procrastination is the mortal enemy of productivity. It’s true – waiting until the last moment to do certain things is not always a good idea. But pushing yourself to do it when you just can’t, can lead you to poor results. When you procrastinate, try to engage in activities that take you to a state of flow, relax your mind and body, and ease those negative feelings away. Many times, stress can get in the way and keep you from performing at your best. Once your mind and body are recharged, getting back to work is easier.

Get disorganised.

Being organised is really a good thing. And indeed, it is one of the habits of most successful people. But sometimes people are too organised and this leaves little room for spontaneity and the enjoyment of life. It is important to notice if you are being trapped by your own routine. Being too organised can be a result of being frightened. Allow a little chaos, get more creative, and don’t be afraid to be imperfect. Sometimes, you can get more brilliant ideas from here.

Back off.

This could be the most underused strategy to carve out more time, but it can be all important especially for people in recovery. When you have to, back off. Take some rest. Take a vacation and revive your energy, zeal and enthusiasm.

Drop everything and go to sleep.

If you feel so distracted and unmotivated, sleep. Sleep has great restorative properties. It replenishes lost energy, eases physical and mental fatigue, and strengthens your memory formation. Sleep also fuels creativity and intelligence, making you more capable of performing well at whatever task you’re in. But when should you be taking a nap? Well, if you pay attention to your body’s natural circadian rhythm, you’ll probably find that you have a dip in energy levels in the early afternoon. This is because we’re actually designed to have two sleeps per day, according to Loughborough University Professor, Jim Horne.

Spend time with nature.

Going outdoors help reset our attention span and relax our minds. Daniel Goleman, author of “Focus: The Hidden Power of Excellence”, cited one experiment wherein researchers tested how relaxed people were when taking a walk down a city street versus in a quiet park. The study found that the level of attention needed to navigate a busy city street is high enough that the walk doesn’t let the brain relax enough to reset our focus levels.
What other tips can you share to those who are having productivity issues? Feel free to post your comment below.