Being more productive is something I think every human on this planet strives to achieve, unless of course you have no life.

Assuming you are not the latter, one way or another you will run into a problem that prevents you from being productive. Such problems include, but are not limited to:

• Lack of drive/motivation
• Lack of time
• Lack of organization
• Lack of willpower
• You’re lazy.
• Just kidding.

Not to worry, however: this list will show you some easy ways you can jumpstart your productivity RIGHT NOW.

Have a plan

First step is to get yourself into work mode. This is probably the most important step. Getting yourself into a “I’m gonna work for 30 minutes straight” mindset is the most important part of this guide. The way I like to think about it, you’re not going to want to do work when it’s your bed time. You’re in sleepy mode, not work mode. Same thing when you want to work after playing games. You’re in gamer mode, not work mode.

Help your brain out a little bit and set up a schedule you can follow. This will tell your brain when to do x, y, and z. Include a reasonable amount of breaks so you don’t drive yourself insane.

Simulate pressure

If you’ve done the previous step, you’ve now geared yourself into motion. However, you’ve realized that you only have a certain set of time to complete your task. What do you do?

Try setting up a timer! Give yourself a conservative amount of time to complete the task (Ex: 30 minutes to complete a 45 minute task,) set the time up on your timer and then begin the task. Surprisingly, the added pressure of an impeding task will cause you to work much faster than you could’ve thought possible.

Go the first 10%

Don’t feel like doing something? Don’t worry. Try doing a small action that is part of your task. For example, you’re in running mode and have 30 minutes to run, but you’re procrastinating hard. 

Tell yourself to put on the shoes and socks first. Then progress to something more difficult and repeat until you find yourself at home, sweaty and tired from your run.

Example: “Okay, open your laptop. Good, now go to WordPress. Great! Now create a title and write and article.”

Find your passion

As cliché as this sounds, it will take you a long way in working productively. You’re gonna have an easier time doing what you’re already good at.

What is your talent? Writing? Music? Dance? Politics?

Whatever it is, incorporate it into your routine to make it less tedious. Try reading more political articles while biking or running on the treadmill. Listen to music that you want to memorize while doing your homework.

Not only will you develop your passion, you will make work less tedious.

Remind yourself of the benefits

At the end of the day, you’ll need to use some of your willpower to successfully establish good habits and continue applying said habits.

The longer and more consistently you follow through, the easier it will become to work hard. It can help if there is a reward at the end, however.

Set up a nice little chart, with days of each week on it. Give yourself a reward if you do so-and-so for a set number of days. Avoid punishments if you do not reach your goals! This will be counter-productive as you will normalize putting yourself down, and demotivate you to reach your goals.

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Conclusion

Being productive is simple, yet difficult. You know what you need to do, but it’s hard to actually start. Keep in mind that starting is the hardest part of any task, but the rest is history if you can begin. Hopefully, this list will help you hack your productivity and lead you on the path to a life of success.

The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.