The secret to boosting your productivity

Over the years, I’ve become somewhat obsessive about efficiency (it's slightly a joke with my friends and family about just how efficient I like to be, in fact). I’ve read hundreds of books, listened to all the podcasts and tried many (many) strategies over the years. There’s certainly no one-size-fits-all approach — but here are some of the key tips I have found most impactful when setting my days, weeks and months up for success.

Step into the world of prioritisation

The cornerstone of any successful daily plan is to know your priorities. Not all tasks are equally important, and recognising the high-impact ones that align with your business goals is essential. This doesn't mean that smaller tasks should be overlooked, but giving priority to more significant to-do items is a practical strategy for making the most out of your day. It’s wise to remember however, you aren’t superhuman (or at least you aren’t every day!) so setting realistic goals is the key to success. Don't try to do too much at once, or you'll just end up feeling overwhelmed.

Break it down

Seeing a huge task ahead can be daunting and may lead to procrastination. Break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable parts. Ticking off these smaller tasks will keep you motivated (at Holly & Co, we call it ‘tickulation’), as you'll feel a real sense of achievement as you complete each one.

Consider time allocation: the key to balance

One secret to work/life balance lies in respecting your time. Allocate specific time slots for each task on your to-do list. This practice will prevent jobs from spilling over their allotted time and encroaching on your personal hours. I was horrified to realise that we check our email on average 121 times a day — I mean, how inefficient is that?! But worse than that, if you’re distracted from a task it generally takes you 25 minutes to refocus — so think about the lost time when you’re jumping between jobs.

Harness the power of technology

I’m a great believer in the idea that if you do something more than five times a month, you should ask yourself if you can automate it. People tend to waste 50 days a year doing menial, repetitive tasks. We live in a digital age, and technology can be your best ally when it comes to time management. Tools like Asana or Trello can help organise your jobs, set reminders and track your progress, ensuring your daily plan runs smoothly. And with Royal Mail’s Click & Drop® service, you can integrate all your marketplace storefronts in one place, import all your orders, offer your customers a choice of delivery services and more, all at the click of a button! You can even arrange a ‘Parcel Collect’ to save going to the Post Office. Not only does it make it easier for you to manage your orders, it also saves you precious time, too.

Review and reflect often

At the end of each day, spend some time reflecting on what you accomplished and the challenges you faced. This reflection will not only provide a sense of accomplishment, but also offer insight into areas you might need to work on to benefit future productivity.

Balancing the demands of your business with personal needs may seem like a high-wire act, but with thoughtful daily planning, it's completely achievable. Remember, success is not merely about checking off tasks on your to-do list; it's about making significant strides towards your goals while preserving space for relaxation and joy. Give these tips a try, and empower yourself to embrace the beautiful dance of productivity and balance. You've got this!