A Mind Trick to Make Any Job Feel Less Complicated

Willpower and discipline are the first steps in being more active. Here are seven mental strategies for increasing productivity and discipline.

We'd all like to be able to complete more tasks in less time. We'd have a better chance of having the raise if we were more productive, we'd have more personal time to do what we wanted, and we'd get closer to our goals much sooner if we were more productive. Unfortunately, you won't be able to force yourself to work harder. There's no button you can press to turn yourself into a task-completing, process-churning computer.

However, you can use a variety of psychological tricks and games to construct an atmosphere that naturally inspires you to do your best. These are the top seven:

1. Make a list of mini-tasks. To begin, break down large tasks into much smaller tasks. On the surface, this doesn't seem to matter; you'll be doing the same amount of work either way. The mini-task structure, on the other hand, would make it easier for you to work harder and more efficiently in order to complete your work. Smaller tasks will compartmentalise your thought, enabling you to gain a better understanding of the nature of the master problem and strategize before diving in. And, when you complete those small tasks one at a time, your desire to keep going will skyrocket. You'll be able to work more effectively as a result, and you'll be more likely to keep working hard once you've started.

2. Start with a simple task. Like every persistent Monday hater will tell you, getting the ball rolling is one of the most difficult aspects of functioning productively. The way you start your day will decide how you feel for the rest of the day. For example, you could get lost reading a hundred articles you found on Twitter, or you could get pulled into a vortex of email responses and phone calls, never finishing a job. Instead, as soon as you get to work, knock out something quick. You won't be intimidated to begin because it's easy. You'll feel good about yourself and be inspired to tackle the next challenge in front of you because you accomplished it quickly. It's a quick way to gain traction.

3. Begin tackling difficult tasks as soon as possible. Consider going on to something even more difficult after you've completed your first simple mission. Take a look at your to-do list for the day and choose the most difficult problem to solve. As soon as you've warmed up with a simple piece, start working on that. If you can accomplish this difficult mission, anything else you have to do during the day will seem less difficult, and you'll be more able to work through the minor issues that will eventually arise. If you're having trouble with the big challenge, go back to my first tip and break it down into smaller chunks.

4. Create a Repeatable Routine or Method. We are beings of continuity as humans. Some of us crave new experiences, adventures, and thrills, but in order to function reliably, we need to be grounded in some degree of continuity. Create a regular schedule for completing your work that you can predictably and easily observe. Establish a few recurring processes for performing such tasks in your wheelhouse if you despise routines. If you still plan your email inbox by 9:30 a.m. and focus on a difficult issue between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m., for example, you'll finally master both parts of your day and get more done faster.

5. Make use of a remuneration system. Humans, like animals, can be taught by the use of incentives—even if the rewards are for yourself. Use big incentives to motivate yourself—for example, if you hit your professional goals for the month, you might buy yourself something fresh and fancy—but don't be afraid to use smaller rewards during the day. For instance, if you finish three tasks before ten o'clock, you can treat yourself to a cup of coffee. These micro incentives will help you put your work into perspective, give you reasons to take breaks and decompress your mind, and motivate you to work harder to earn them.

6. Participate in social activities. We're social creatures by birth. While some office discussions can seem counterproductive, remaining social will keep your brain busy, make you feel more satisfied, and help you solve more difficult problems. Socializing with others opens you to new ideas and experiences, allowing you to see your job in a new light while also relieving some of the pressures that can hold you back.

7. Concentrate on one thing at a time. This technique is ideal for people who are constantly distracted. Remove something that competes for your attention to isolate your concentration. Close your email client if you want to keep reading your addresses. Close your browser if you want to keep browsing Facebook. Place the paperwork that is piling up on your desk under your desk if you find yourself staring at it. Delete any distractions that might take you away from your job while you're trying to complete it.

Since each employee is unique, with unique interests and strengths and weaknesses, not all of these strategies would work for all. You'll simply have to experiment to figure out which tactics work best for you. Practice using the productivity-boosting methods you discover, and ignore the ones you don't. Never stop trying to better your own ability to perform well; the more time you spend fine-tuning your working style, the more time you'll save in the long run.

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