Seven Unconventional Ways to be More Productive

Whether you need to get a book done, an essay written, or your taxes complete (I did mine in less than two hours), these tips will bring you to completion faster than before.

It’s worth noting that of the four mature masculine archetypes, King energy is the most important. And king energy is about completion.

May this article bring you closer to completion in your life while including an abundance of ease, confidence, and calmness along the way.

TO PRODUCE MORE OUTPUT, YOU NEED MORE INPUT.

You can only think your way so far towards greater productivity.

Before we optimize using the resources you already have, you want to gather as many resources as you need first.

This looks like:

Getting a full night’s rest, every night
Eating foods that fuel you, as often as you need
Moving in ways that you love as often as you can
Seeing people often to meet your social needs
Actively blocking out times for rest to refuel your mind

If you want to produce more output from the factory known as you, you need to put more raw materials in. This is rule number one, never forget it.

2. WORK LESS AND REST MORE TO GET MORE DONE.

When possible, avoid work when you’re not in a fully rested state.

This looks like being:

well-rested
well-fed
well-energized

Energizing yourself could look like going out with friends, going kayaking, or for a hike.

It includes any activity that isn’t directly work related that increases your energy levels.
With these higher energy levels, you will complete whatever work you need to get done faster and better.
After all, work is just the conversion of energy.

3. MONO-TASK.

Force yourself of prioritize your tasks.
Then focus on this tax exclusively until its completion.

Often, you may find it easier to focus on a variety of things, but beware, your brain is tricking you.
It may be a magical organ, but it is only so big. The less you put it in it, the faster it will be able to bring each task to completion.

Put as little in as possible (one task) in order to get things done as fast as possible.

4. PRIORITIZE YOUR TASKS.

THERE IS NOTHING MORE DEMOTIVATING THAN REACHING THE END OF THE WORK DAY ONLY TO REALIZE YOU WERE WORKING ON THE WRONG THING.

Take the time to plan your work before you begin. There’s no need to rush into work if you care about productivity.

When you properly prioritize your tasks, you actually free up energy you wouldn’t otherwise have access to.
By doing your most important work first, you give yourself a better shot at getting everything done.
Since your energy levels diminish as you work, the easier tasks still end up getting done, since they require less energy.

5. LISTEN TO THE SAME SONG ON REPEAT WHILE YOU WORK.

This has been a brain hack I have used for years. I used one song to write all three of my books (which are so totally amazing by the way, check them out here), and when I think back to the most productive periods of my life, I can think of one song that pushed me through.

Who knows the science, probably something to do with your brain reaching a flow state in flow with the song. But really, who cares.

Try it, and don’t expect it to work for you the first time. But boy oh boy, be ready for it to really work when it does.

6. GET UP EARLY.

I first started using this hack in high school when I would write blog posts from 5-7am before I left to jazz band in the morning. Not only was this period of time 10x more productive than any other time of day, but it was 10x more fun to be productive.

Since no one is awake to distract you, you naturally fall into work with a beautifully crisp focus, because what else would you do at six in the morning?

Plus, having done important work before the rest of the day has even started, you’ll feel a lot like superman among mortals throughout the rest of your day.

7. BE KINDER TO YOURSELF.

Protect the asset. — Greg McKeown, Essentialism

There’s nothing worse for your productivity than self-hatred. Shame, negative thought loops, and whatever other forms these productivity killers take, you need to be on the watch for.

Protect your factory. Set smaller production targets. Give yourself more time.
Wherever you can ease up on the pressure, do it.

We perform best when we’re not under pressure, so make sure that whatever pressure you do subject yourself to isn’t voluntary.

And there you have it folks, seven of my best tips on how you can become more productive today.

Thank you for coming and sharing today with me, I hope you got something out of it.

We’ll be seeing you again soon!
Take care now.
With love,
Sam

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Originally published on Sam Gray and is republished on Medium.

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