Highly Productive Workweek Habits | Higher Education (2024)

Productivity…what does that mean to you?

Do you visualize getting every task checked off a long list? Perhaps you envision an ideal schedule and unbreakable focus?

If this is the case, it’s likely that chasing workplace productivity has left you feeling deflated, or worse – burnt out.

Human beings weren’t built for robotic levels of output. This begs the question, then: what does realistic productivity look like, and how do you optimize it?

Sustainable productivity is achievable. By embracing your humanity in the workplace, you can let go of perfectionism, and instead, settle into a workflow that allows you to make steady, enjoyable progress towards your goals.

Self-Care

If you want your mind and body to thrive, you must tend to its needs. Just as an unwatered apple tree won’t be able to produce, neither will you if you don’t provide yourself with the essentials.

The first thing you can do is to schedule (yes, on your calendar) regular breaks throughout the day. Our world of constant stimulation is relatively novel in human history, and our brains aren’t built to stay endlessly focused. If you are in the habit of skipping breaks, it will be harder and harder as time goes on to maintain your work pace.

While your mind needs periodic rest, your body needs nutrition and hydration. Eating “well” doesn’t mean “perfectly,” but you do want the majority of your diet to be nutritious foods that will support your physical and cognitive function (check out the advice of LinkedIn creator Dan Go if you’d like to explore this further). You can then help your body make use of that nutrition foundation by getting enough water.

In addition, staying stuck to your desk is counterproductive. Movement gives you energy and gets the brain juices flowing in a way that nothing else does. Try to exercise a few times each week, or at the very least, get in some daily steps. Even a 15 minute walk can provide much-needed refreshment.

In the moment, healthy habits may not feel like they’re contributing directly to your productivity. However, taking care of yourself is not an optional hack for the elite, athletic few. Your intentionality will, over time, be evident in your work performance and how you feel.

Time Management

Calendar blocking is one of the most common, and effective, time management techniques.

Successful calendar blocking is not setting up eight different blocks of time during your work day, leaving you rushing through tasks. Switching this frequently is usually counterproductive. Projects usually take longer than you think they will, and frequent task-switching interrupts your workflow.

Instead of trying to cram everything into one day, pick two or three of your highest priority items, and schedule a time chunk for each that is longer than you think you’ll need. If you get done early, you can always move on to the next task. However, if it takes longer than the allotted time, put it on tomorrow’s agenda and move on to the next thing.

While you are working on your day’s priorities, refrain from distractions as much as you can. Closing your email helps keep you from seeing notifications and requests that can wait. If you’re worried about seeming unresponsive, a) you’re probably more worried about it than anyone else is, and b) you can set up an automatic reply that lists the times when you check your inbox, directing people to call you with any urgent requests.

Schedule time for admin work. This allows you to stay on top of your inbox, but it also prevents smaller tasks from detracting from your more important objectives. Once it’s on the calendar, you no longer have to worry about whether or not it will get done.

Ultimately, calendar blocking quantifies and balances your workday. It ensures your time is spent on high-impact activities while allowing you to stay responsive with coworkers or other parties who need responses.

Regular Check-Ins

Regular check-in meetings are an easy way to confirm that your personal objectives for your role still align with company objectives. These can shift, and if they do, you don’t want to waste valuable time working towards goals that are no longer relevant.

Embrace a flexible mindset so you can pivot when necessary. When you seek feedback and are willing to let goals evolve, it’s mutually beneficial for you and your employer.

Work / Life Balance

This is an in-vogue term with countless definitions.

So, what is ours?

Making the proper space outside of work to ensure that you thrive. This means drawing clear lines between work and home, and it looks different for everyone.

Stability at home goes a long way to aiding your productivity during the work week. Setting consistent sleep patterns (and maintaining them, even on the weekends), is a good way to help your body keep a schedule, meaning that you cut down on Monday morning grogginess.

Additionally, finding a morning routine that excites you helps start the day on a positive note and build forward momentum. What does this look like for you? It could be having quiet coffee with a loved one, getting a workout in, or putting your dinner in the crockpot.

Conclusion

Productivity is about working with your natural rhythms, not ignoring them and trying to produce at an inhuman rate. And remember: productivity is highly individual. You’ll find your own unique processes when you experiment, adjust, and repeat.

Aim for something sustainable and enjoyable, and you’ll find that the benefits spiral out from your work, positively impacting every aspect of your life.