THIS Is The Secret To Year-Round Productivity

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July 18th, 2022

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Why are some months more productive than others?

If youʼve ever noticed yourself slacking off in winter, or getting lazy in the summer, youʼre not alone! We naturally respond to changes in seasons, and these changes can shift our mindset and our desire to be active. But there is a simple “hack” to help you stay productive year round, no matter how dreary the winter or hot the summer.

The secret to 365 days of productivity

The secret to staying productive year round?

Donʼt skip the little things.

This could be interpreted in so many ways, but at its core hereʼs what it means:

If there is a small, mundane, seemingly insignificant task that you need to get done, donʼt save it for later.

Throw that sock into the hamper...

Put those dishes in the sink...

Empty out that trash can...

While these basic tasks may not seem like they impact your productivity, they make a huge difference over time.

How it works

No matter how small a task may seem, the effects of it can pile up over time. One dirty sock turns into 10, 2 dishes into 20, a full trash can into an overflowing one... And every time you skip these little tasks, youʼre adding more work for your future self. Now, if you had to take 20 minutes to put away the dishes, rather than 2, think of how much time youʼve wasted. 18 extra minutes you could have used to focus on your goals and work towards your dreams. 18 extra minutes you could have used to relax, or prepare for the next day, or any other job that drove you forward towards your future.

But the loss of time is not the only negative consequence of skipping small tasks. The mental strain (although you may not notice it) is equally taxing.

Itʼs been scientifically proven that adults living in homes they consider “messy” show higher levels of stress and anxiety than adults living in homes they consider “tidy.” This means that keeping a clean home can directly impact your mental health, and your sense of self worth.

So, doing the “little things” throughout the day, rather than letting them pile up, is a proven way to increase personal happiness, keep your mind centered, and prevent overwhelm and anxiety from taking over your mind.

Where to start

If youʼre not sure what “little thing” to start with, look around your home or office. What small task have you put off because it seemed unimportant? Is there a dirty dish you could have loaded into the dishwasher? Are there shoes scattered around rather than neatly tucked away? Is there an empty coffee cup waiting to be washed? Choose 3 little things you can do right now, get them done, and see how much easier it is for you to focus on your more important tasks afterwards.

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