Imagine finishing the workday with a satisfied sigh, checking off everything on your to-do list. Imagine bringing your A-game every day, inspired and motivated to achieve your goals.
Sounds like a dream, doesn’t it? While being productive on a daily basis is our mission, it’s easier said than done. Especially now with working remotely, there are more distractions than ever and the battle against procrastination is harder than ever.
The good news is there are numerous productivity tools to help you get (and stay) organized. If time management is an issue, journaling is a great place to start. A productivity journal helps with time tracking, guides you to create a task list, and will allow you to keep track of projects and daily activities.
What is the most time-consuming activity? What areas need more of your attention? What are your most important tasks? Along with helping you prioritize what matters, a productivity journal can also monitor your progress and measure your performance.
Sometimes we’re unaware of how we’re wasting time, so keeping a bullet journal and rapid logging will hold us accountable and increase productivity.
Productivity journal bring your goals to life
Being unproductive isn’t a sign of laziness or lacking ambition. For many of us it's more that we have so many ideas and things we want to accomplish, and it’s simply a matter of organization.
“Often when we have ideas in our heads, we lose focus and become distracted,” says Nicole Arzt, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. “But a productivity journal brings clarity to our dreams. It puts them onto paper and gives us something to work towards.”
Accomplishing goals takes time, and a productivity journal acts as a daily planner and habit tracker. It outlines every day of the week so we can check in to see how we're doing every step of the way.
Mindfulness is an important part of the process. How are you feeling? Are there any fears or negative beliefs holding you back? Are you prioritizing the right things?
Productivity journaling can take many forms. If you prefer an old school method, you can use a paper notebook or a bullet journal like Silk + Sonder.
Or if you prefer a more modern approach, you can do bullet journaling and set due dates with task organization software like Trello. This online organization system is one of the best digital tools for productivity, with numerous templates to choose from and is popular with digital product designers.
And rather than scrolling through social media on your breaks (happen to the best of us!), use that time to jot down thoughts. Evernote and Microsoft OneNote are great options, particularly for note-taking. These apps are available on iPhone or Android.
Try this 3-step goal-setting strategy
Now, it's time to make the most of your productivity planner. Here's a three-step strategy to help you get started.
Align with your core values
Confucius once said, “choose a job you love and you will never work a day in your life.” If you follow your passion, being productive becomes much easier. So, the first step is to make sure your goals are aligned with your values.
Ask yourself: What makes you feel proud? What makes you fulfilled? What brings you joy?
Do you lose track of time when you’re working? We’ve all experienced the feeling of being in the zone when creativity flows effortlessly. Based on your answers, you’ll be able to see if your career aligns with your values.
If you're familiar with the concept of Ikigai, this will resonate.
Set small, achievable goals
In order to be successful, building momentum is essential. And the only way to do that is by making progress. When you feel like you’re making progress by consistently achieving small goals, it will increase your confidence and help you reach your goal.
“You may want to start by setting one to two goals to achieve this month and commit to tracking your progress each day,” Artz says. “Write down what you did to work toward that goal and how you felt about it. If you didn't do anything, write that down, too.”
Your productivity journal is for your eyes only. Don’t beat yourself up if you have an off day. It happens! Remember, “this isn't about perfection,” Artz adds. “It's about being realistic and accountable with yourself.
Stay focused on your progress
There will be moments along the way when you feel like giving up. While challenges are inevitable, it’s important to hold on to your vision. Never lose sight of all your hard work and try to view each setback as a learning tool.
Don’t forget to celebrate how far you’ve come. By focusing on your progress, not the end goal, you’ll be happier and more productive.
Want to take the next step on your personal development journey? Head to our website and become a Silk + Sonder member today!