Today I want to talk about how to increase your productivity at home and at work.

Are you productive? Do you want to be productive?
Being productive is an important part of running a good household or office. If you can simply keep a few tips in mind, you can watch your productivity go through the roof!

Have you ever planned for a productive day, but when the day is over your to-do list seems no different than when you got started? This doesn’t mean you’re lazy or incompetent; what it means is that you may want to work on your productivity.

1. Identify Time Wasters

Some of our regular activities are actually time wasters. For instance, do you ever catch yourself saying that you’re just going to play one more game of Solitaire, or catch just one more song on the radio? While doing these things isn’t always bad, it can become problematic if you allow yourself to be constantly distracted. Make a list and identify each time waster.

* Limit your time on the phone and set a defined time limit to run errands so you can focus on getting things done.

* If you notice that one game of Solitaire easily turns into three or four, uninstall the game from your computer for a while. You might be surprised by how much time you gain.

2. Get Organized

One way people lose productivity is through a cluttered and disorganized workspace. If you have to hunt for your tools or paperwork whenever you start a task, you’re not going to get things done as fast as you’d like.

* Clean out that basement or get those storage boxes out of the corner of your office. Toss or donate the things you don’t need and find an organized place for everything that’s staying.

* Take some time to organize your workspace and your storage space. You’ll find that the less time you spend having to hunt for things and the fewer distractions you have, the more productive you’re going to be.

3. Be Aware of Deadlines

You may get your projects done on time, but if you’re always cutting it close, stressing yourself out and losing sleep over your deadlines, you may need to analyze how you use your time.

* Give you and your family a deadline for household projects. Make a list or mark your family calendar with big projects, like cleaning the garage or getting new mulch for the landscaping.

* If you have a deadline, clearly mark the deadline on your calendar or planner and do your best to beat it by a week at least. Taking care of things long before they’re due will free up a lot more time than you think, and it will prevent a blind rush at the very end.

4. Take Breaks

It sounds counterproductive, but taking more breaks can make you more productive. It’s all about maximizing your time and if you’re not getting things done anyway, taking a break will refresh your mind.

* Housework can be dull and boring (Yup!) so instead of trying to tackle all household projects in one day, split up the work and get your family involved.

* If you’ve been staring at the computer screen for twenty minutes without getting any real work done, it’s time to get up, walk around or get a drink of water. This can make a huge difference when you’re looking to be more productive.

Increasing your productivity can mean a lot of good work getting done, so think about how you can implement these productivity tips in your daily routine!

It really doesn’t take much, once you put your mind to it!
Use my tips to increase your productivity at home and work to get you started and then build from there!

Have you ever been on a roll and then along comes a headache and your productivity has gone out the window?

Headaches are one of the greatest productivity killers there is! When you’re trying to get something done and a headache comes on, it’s game over. Even if you try to make it through, you’re not going to be nearly as productive and you’re likely going to be more miserable than ever. While it’s no fun, there are some natural and simple methods to cure your headache!

Here are some Quick and Natural Ways to Cure Headaches

The idea behind relieving a headache is to do it naturally and quickly. There are plenty of over-the-counter medications, but they have their own side effects that just create a new problem. If taken too frequently, headache medicines may even lose their effectiveness.

Here are some natural headache remedies that you can use to quickly eliminate that headache:

* If it is a stress headache, exercising can relieve it. Taking a walk to increase blood circulation can help dramatically.

* If you’re at home, take a warm bath. Many headaches are caused by contracted muscles and a hot bath will relax those muscles. This is especially great for tension headaches.

* If the headache is caused by dehydration, drinking water can help, but it may take several glasses until the problem is solved.

* For a caffeine, sinus, or allergy headache, a cold or hot compress can make the headache go away.

* Massaging the shoulders and neck can relieve a tension headache. This is because the tightened muscles causing the headache are loosened.

* Try to sleep the same hours every night. Too little or too much sleep can cause headaches. You also want to try to keep a consistent bedtime.

* If bright lights make your head hurt, avoid them. If you already have a headache, try to sit in a room with minimal light. People with migraines tend to benefit from this technique.

* Try not to sit, stand, or work in the same position for long periods of time. This can put strain on your back, shoulders, and neck. This strain can lead to a tension headache, so change position frequently to keep this from occurring.

* Reduce your intake of caffeine in order to avoid caffeine headaches. This can be one of the worst types of headaches. Unfortunately, there are many people who attempt to solve this headache by taking in more caffeine. The problem is that this type of headache tends to be caused by caffeine withdrawal, so it’s a catch 22.

* Avoid foods that trigger headaches. If you notice a pattern that your head hurts after eating a certain food, that is your sign to avoid it. Try eating organic fruits and vegetables because of their nutritional value and health benefits.

Since everyone is different, different remedies will work for different people. You may need to experiment to find out which one is going to work best for you. Once you find your remedy, stick to it.

How to Prevent Headaches

You can prevent headaches by controlling your stress levels, exercising, and eating balanced meals. All of these go hand-in-hand because stress can be relieved by exercising and eating healthy foods. It may require a lifestyle change, but you’ll not only feel better but you’ll relieve the majority of your headaches!

By implementing these changes and eliminating your headaches, you’ll boost your quality of life and get more done.

So, try these suggestions one at a time to find your match and what works for you. Then, the killer of productivity, being headaches, could be gone from your life!