5 Productivity Hacks To Get Your ‘Me Time’ Back

We're all always trying to figure how to maximize our time so that we can work when we work and rest when we rest. We spend endless hours iterating on our own personal productivity hacks. Yes, I said it. The dreaded “P” word that a lot of us fear most.Once we get ourselves into gear, figuring out how to be effectively productive with our workday can be a challenge in a number of ways.

I will admit, after working in the broadcast and digital media world for major networks for 13 years, becoming an entrepreneur in 2012 (where I was my own boss for the first time) was a major change. But once I accepted the new lifestyle and found daily ways to make it work, I started to enjoy being a Girl Boss! While I am a naturally organized person who pays attention to detail, I recognize everyone’s work style is very different based on their personality. So I want to share some of my tried and tested productivity tips, which are fairly simple and have become a lifesaver (and a timesaver).

Whether you are a freelancer like me, a self-made entrepreneur, or you work for corporate America, there are ways to implement these tips so they work for you.

1. Find your “list” style and make it a priority.

I have gotten to the point where I almost cannot function without my list! Next to my computer at my work station is a notepad and pen. Every evening, I jot down the things I need to get done as well as the things I want to achieve the following day. I find it is extremely helpful to visualize what I need to do, because when I cross it off after completing it, I feel a huge sense of accomplishment. It can be as small as “pay phone bill,” “reply to emails,” or even “start proposal document”.

We all have different “list styles” - pen and paper, Trello, a draft email to ourselves, etc. Whatever your preferred method, the most important thing is to make time to brain-dump all of the to-dos that are in your head and set yourself up for success.

For those of us with full time jobs, it can be a stretch to find time during work hours to do anything except work. But if there is a way to accomplish one non-work-related item each day, by the end of the week, you will have crossed five things off your list. For us freelance workers, I find a to-do list can help organize a potentially overwhelming schedule into priorities.

2. Block off dedicated “email reply time.”

I know, it sounds like a no-brainer, but I have been guilty of just letting certain emails go, and, before too long, I forget they even exist.

When you are running a business or working for someone else, your email etiquette is part of your professional “brand”. How quickly you take to reply to emails sends a loud and clear message about how committed you are. With inboxes filling up so quickly each day, I personally make sure I end each of my work days without any important unread emails related to work. I set time aside each morning to be my “email replying” time before the rest of my day gets going.

A growing number of unread emails can be very daunting as the day goes on, but you have the power to decide how much control it has over your life. Be ahead of the email game each day so you don’t have to dread opening your inbox.

3. Know your typical distractors. And nix them.

If you are like me, this means social media! While I have my own business and a self-determined schedule, social media can be a huge drain on my productivity and effectiveness.

Hands up if you have randomly been drawn into a long Facebook conversation or Twitter argument that took a couple of hours out of your day and put you even further behind in your workload? Yep, I am guilty of this!

No matter what your Achilles heel is, it can wait until later. I have resolved to turn off notifications, avoid opening a web browser with Facebook, and refrain from watching videos unless they are work related. One of the secrets to a high level of productivity is effective time management. My rule of thumb is: unless it’s absolutely urgent, it can wait. Trust me, you will NOT regret the time you forego dealing with distractions in favor of getting more work done.

4. Incorporate self-care into your day.

Eating right, exercising, and doing everything you can to remain stress-free is super important! That means a decent breakfast each day (not just Starbucks!), taking time to have a lunch break (not just eating in front of your computer!) and getting some fresh air to give your eyes a break from your computer screen or your phone.

If you, like me, spend a lot of time at a desk in front of a computer, stretching your hands, giving your eyes a break by looking outside a window (seriously, that counts!), or going for a quick walk around the office or around the block can keep you refreshed and productive throughout your day. We live in an age of constant digital demand on our time, but ironically, taking time away from that can increase our productivity. Which brings me to my final point.

5. Take time off (if you can).

Take those vacation days. Choose not to open your laptop or answer emails on your phone over the weekend. Vacation is your time to recharge your batteries and come back to the workplace motivated and excited.

This can be tricky, depending on where you work and what your job is. The US is the only developed nation in the world not to have any form of federally-mandated paid family leave, which can put a huge strain on families, and especially mothers. While there are many companies which do offer it, it is not a standard social institution like it is in, say, Europe.

Likewise, studies show that people who take a vacation regularly report higher levels of productivity. A happy worker means a profitable company and satisfied customers.

It has become too easy to expect employees to be “on call” 24/7 because we are so attached to our phones and digital devices, but that shouldn’t negate the fact that we deserve a break. France recently passed a law stating employers could not email their employees during the weekend, and I don’t know about you, but that sounds like the right idea to me!

These are just a few ideas to get you into a basic productivity pattern that is easy and effective to maintain – and can get you some of your downtime back.

This post is by Asha Dahya and originally appeared on Shine Text. Check out Shine for advice on how to live a more productive life delivered straight to your phone.