Download Article
Explore this Article
IN THIS ARTICLE
1Keep possessions organized.
2Make a list of all things that need to be done.
3Find motivation.
4Remove distractions.
5Do things one at a time.
6Take short breaks every hour.
7Eat and drink as needed.
8Keep your workspace tidy.
9Remind yourself of the goals and rewards.
+Show 6 more...
-Show less...
Other Sections
Video
Tips and Warnings
Related Articles
Expert Interview
References
Article Summary
Reviewed bySeth Hall
Last Updated: May 6, 2024References
Download Article
Have you ever wanted to get something done but you can't seem to finish? Maybe you just have a lack of motivation, or maybe distractions are getting the better of you. If you need to buckle down and get something done, a good work environment, strong focus, and dedication are key.
1
Keep possessions organized.
Download Article
2
Make a list of all things that need to be done.
Download Article
Write down what you need to do for the day, week, and month. Even though you may just want to do this in your head, actually writing it down has a huge impact.[3]
- Try to be specific and reasonable. For example, don't write 'continue novel' or 'clean house.' Instead, write things such as 'write 500 words' or 'tidy the living room floor.' Small, achievable tasks are best. If you have a big goal in mind, try breaking it down into smaller steps on your list.
- Don't get too distracted by the list. If list-making is taking more time than just getting down to work, put it aside and start being productive.[4]
- If tasks have a deadline, mark them on. This will help you in prioritizing.
- Prioritize the tasks. A simple numbering system works well - you can decide to either prioritize the tasks that need to get done first, or get particularly hard/long tasks out of the way first. Alternative, you might even opt to start with a few shorter/easier tasks so that you can knock a few off the list quickly.
3
Find motivation.
Download Article
Motivating yourself can help inspire you to get anything done. Try these tricks to help motivate yourself to tick things off your to-do list:
- Shed light on the situation. If it is daytime, open the curtains. If it is night, turn on the brightest lights. This will have a psychological impact on you.[5]
- List all the advantages of completing the goal you have. Come up with as many things as you can.
- Tell people when you will be finished by.
- Set rewards for yourself.
- Open the windows if you can to let in the fresh air.
- Play music.[6]
Advertisem*nt
4
Remove distractions.
Download Article
It's a good idea to remove anything that may be deterring you from work. Distractions can include phones, emails, social media, family etc. If you are being distracted every 15 minutes, you will get little work done because it is impossible to get immediately back to work after a distraction. For most people this takes 5 - 10 minutes.
- Consider letting your family members, coworkers/classmates, or housemates know that you're buckling down to work on something important, so that they won't distract you.
5
Do things one at a time.
Download Article
Focus on one thing at a time rather than multitasking. Many people believe that multitasking increases productivity, but the truth is tackling things one at a time will allow you to complete more in less time.[7]
- Break tasks into smaller chunks if needed. One huge job can seem overwhelming, but if you break it down into sections, it becomes more manageable. For example, "write an essay" seems big, but if you start with "brainstorm ideas" and "write a topic sentence," each part becomes a much smaller and more achievable goal.
- As you do each task, check it off your to-do list. This feels great, and can motivate you to keep going down the list.
Advertisem*nt
6
Take short breaks every hour.
Download Article
7
Eat and drink as needed.
Download Article
Fuel your body to keep yourself energized and motivated. In particular, drink lots of water.[9] Your brain and body can only work properly if you are hydrated. While drinks and snacks can be distracting, they also help keep your energy up. If you're thirsty or hungry, don't ignore these feelings - take care of them, and get back to work.
Advertisem*nt
8
Keep your workspace tidy.
Download Article
9
Remind yourself of the goals and rewards.
Download Article
1
If you lose sight of why you're working so hard, look back at your to-do list. Try to refocus on your motivation or why you're completing a task or job. If needed, taking a few moments to re-adjust your mindset like this will help you stay on task.
2
Reward yourself for a job well done. Give yourself the rewards you had promised yourself. Be honest with yourself - if you do not complete the task, do not reward yourself.[11]
Advertisem*nt
Overcome Laziness and Procrastination with this Expert Series
Are you feeling unmotivated and stuck? Are you just having a hard time getting yourself to do the things you need to do? Then these expert articles are just for you!
Expert Q&A
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Advertisem*nt
Video
Tips
Healthy eating also boosts productivity.[12]
Thanks
Helpful0Not Helpful0
Sleeping well can increase productivity vastly.[13]
Thanks
Helpful0Not Helpful0
Plan your day, but be flexible.
Thanks
Helpful20Not Helpful2
Show More Tips
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Submit
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisem*nt
Warnings
If you don't complete something and you don't get the reward and you say to yourself "This is what I get for not getting this done." Don't feel ashamed of yourself.
Thanks
Helpful18Not Helpful1
Advertisem*nt
About This Article
Reviewed by:
Seth Hall
Life Coach
This article was reviewed by Seth Hall. Seth T. Hall (ICF ACC, CLC, and MNLP) is a Certified Life Coach and Founder of Transformational Solutions, a Los Angeles-based life-coaching company that helps people achieve their toughest goals, find their own voice, and think outside the box. He has been a life coach for over 10 years, specializing in personal development, relationships, career and finance, and wellness. He has helped his clients break the negative cycles in their lives and replace them with a positive, proactive mindset. Seth believes that everyone has the potential to live a fulfilling and rewarding life, and works passionately to help them reach their full potential. With a deep understanding of how our minds work and the power of positive thinking, he encourages his clients to find their unique paths in life and find success on their own terms. He is a certified master practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming, a featured co-author for WikiHow, and co-author of "The Mountain Method”, “The Happy Tiger”, and “The V.I.S.I.O.N.S. Program”. This article has been viewed 69,243 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 22
Updated: May 6, 2024
Views:69,243
Categories: Getting Things Done
Article SummaryX
If you want to get things done, make a list of everything you need to do. From here, you should prioritize the tasks and highlight any specific deadlines that you'll need to keep in mind. To find the motivation to begin, make sure to optimize your work environment by letting in light and fresh air. You may also want to let other people know when you'll be finished, so the accountability puts a little more pressure on you to get started and keep going. Then, remove any final distractions, such as your phone or social media, and begin working on one task at a time. Every hour, take an 8 to 10-minute break where you stretch a little bit, which will help you return to your work with more focus. For more tips, like how to implement a reward system to help you get things done, scroll down!
Did this summary help you?
In other languages
Russian
- Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 69,243 times.
