How to Safeguard Your Productivity in Difficult Periods

7 ways to maintain your work output in tough times

Productivity is never a given.

From time to time, we all face creative droughts, writer’s block, or other obstacles thwarting our professional output.

Whether it’s an external distraction or a perfectionist tendency, our days are full of productivity-hindering forces.

That’s why we need safeguards.

When times are tough, certain mechanisms can re-invigorate our work ethics and get us back on track.

On this basis, here some of the most effective methods to regain productivity in difficult periods.

Go on one-task productivity sprints

“It’s not always that we need to do more but rather that we need to focus on less.” — Nathan W. Morris

A lack of productivity is often the result of excessive multi-tasking. We try to answer calls, produce content, and clean our kitchen at the same time.

We believe that small steps here and there will make it easier to achieve results. But this attitude is a major trap.

Because we aren’t fully committed to the job at hand, our concentration levels deteriorate.

We might get something done in various areas, but our overall productivity will suffer.

Consequently, we need a much more centralized approach.

That’s where single-task productivity sprints come to fruition.

Instead of trying to complete five tasks at the same time — marathon-style, go on a one-task sprint.

Take a short period and focus all your energy, effort, and creativity on one single project. It can be something as banal as writing an email.

The main challenge resides in bundling your energy in one particular area.

Destroy your inner perfectionist

Your inner perfectionist is your productivity’s greatest foe.

The problem with perfection is the fact that it doesn’t exist. It is a farce. The content of your work will never be perfect.

Perfection cannot be measured. Consequently, striving for “the perfect result” will impede your productivity.

Progress is a much better goal. Instead of trying to polish every meaningless detail to perfection, focus on improving little by little.

As an example, writers never come up with a “perfect story.”

Even the most successful, well-received piece will have flaws.

It will, however, also be better than the author’s previous pieces.

In this context, most writers attribute their success to their progress-orientated mindset, not perfectionism.

Stay accountable to yourself and others

Accountability is a powerful tool when it comes to safeguarding your productivity.

First, you need to stay accountable to yourself.

Draft ambitious but realistic to-do lists and try to complete as many tasks as possible. Model the list on your most productive days.

That way, you’ll know that with enough effort and determination, you can complete your list. After all, you’ve done it before.

Secondly, involve other people in your accountability process.

Don’t get me wrong, you shouldn’t recite every single task to your partner.

You should, however, share a few target milestones with people in your social or professional circle.

This double-accountability will help you stay focused when times are tough.

You’ll know that you simply have to replicate your most productive days without trying to re-invent the wheel.

You’ll also know that other people are aware of your main objectives — helping you fixate your energy on priorities.

Take baby steps

Sometimes, productivity can be the result of doing less.

Smaller tasks, fewer projects, and shorter working blocks often provide the ideal productivity cocktail.

In this regard, I have a little experiment for you.

Look at your to-do list for today. Eliminate half of the stuff on it and shorten the length of the remaining tasks.

Now, find out how long it takes you to complete your stripped-down list. Probably a lot less than half a day.

I recently employed this technique and it saved my day. My brain wasn’t overwhelmed anymore and I could focus my attention on a few select, short tasks.

As a result, I completed the tasks much quicker than usual and unlocked a big pocket of time.

Needless to say, I managed to outperform my initial to-do list.

Automate as much as possible

Minutiae are potent productivity killers. Especially solopreneurs feel the weight of trivial matters.

Administrative mini-chores, incessant email traffic, and endless notifications often cause a slow but steady decline in productivity.

How do we solve the issue of minutiae?

Automation is the antidote.

In this context, try to automate as many small chores as possible.

As an example, automatic email responders can save you heaps of time by replying with something like “your email will be attended in due course.”

The email won’t disappear, but you’ve bought yourself some time.

Sort your emails by topic and importance and don’t waste time answering every single one.

Find out what kind of minutiae break your production flow. Identify quick solutions and ways of automating them.

And finally, don’t have too many administrative irons in the fire.

Journal and meditate

Whether it’s productivity or personal growth, the benefits of journaling are unquestionable.

In times of trouble, writing down your professional failures can safeguard your productivity by freeing up space in your head.

Your thoughts will be able to breathe and you won’t crumble under the weight.

The same goes for regular meditation.

When you feel unproductive or uninspired, sit down and calm your mind for a few minutes.

Short stints of meditation will help you regain composure and get your thoughts back on track.

Even if you cannot move mountains today, meditation will at least guarantee a serene vision of your day.

You’ll have a better understanding of your lack of productivity by reflecting on the why of your creative drought.

Breaks are always necessary and sometimes, meditative breaks are the right safeguard for your crumbling productivity.

Take care of your health and sleep rhythm

Akin to your thoughts, your health and sleep rhythm are essential safeguards for your productivity.

To get the most out of your days, your body and mind need to form a productivity motor. And this engine only works with enough sleep and a healthy dose of exercise.

Even if you only manage 20 minutes a day, your body will thank you for gym sessions, home workouts, and outdoor activities. The key is to maintain a routine.

In this context, your physical wellbeing routine will act as a booster on unproductive days.

Most of us know the experience. We cannot find the right motivation or creative fuel to secure our work output. One gym session later, we feel energized and determined.

In conjunction, physical exercise, sleep, and a solid diet create the foundation for mental determination. That’s why you shouldn’t underestimate the physical aspect of productivity.

You can have the best ideas in the world but without a solid mental and physical foundation, you’ll have trouble putting your plans into action.

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