What have you done today? What did you achieve yesterday? Do you take on a can-do spirit when you’re challenged? Or are you huddled up in your comfy chair deeply immersed in a movie or playing a game on your phone or tablet to avoid the challenge?

The Surprising Link Between Productivity and Happiness

How you make your way through a normal day in terms of your productivity may determine how pleased with your life you are.

When deciding whether or not something is productive or if you should avoid it consider this:

Reflect on your feelings. 

Reflect on your emotions after doing something productive versus wasting a few hours on Netflix, scrolling social media, or just hanging out. Think about which situation makes you feel more positive and content.

How are your organizational skills? 

Someone who is organized usually finds it easier to accomplish their desired goals. If you’re organized, you know where to find the correct tool quickly to put it to use. Living a disorganized existence means much time is lost trying to locate things. Therefore, productivity is reduced.

Get things done by making lists. 

A to-do list will quickly remind you of what you hope to complete. Plus, crossing items off that list brings positive feelings of satisfaction. I always feel good when I can scratch things off a list. 

Complete tasks in the morning when you’re rested. 

What’s cool about getting started early is that you can see signs of your productivity by noon. You may be tired, but having lunch will revive you for the afternoon, plus you’ll feel accomplished.

• Establish a pattern of knocking out a couple of items on your to-do list in the morning. If you find yourself more productive in the morning, knock out those bigger tasks. 

Have a schedule and follow it. 

If you want to be productive, schedule in time for work and rest.

• At the end of the day, you’ve met your productivity goals and still have some playtime. Your confidence likely increases from your higher productivity level. Plus, your level of contentment has grown because you experienced some free time, too. That’s two reasons to be happy!
• If you’re floundering to get something done, set up a time to do it.
• Let’s say you’ve wanted to clean out the garage for ages, but you’ve consistently come up with excuses why you’ve not yet done it. Establish a day and time you’ll devote to garage-cleaning, like Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon. Then do it.

Develop rituals and routines to help you separate downtime from productive time. 

Maybe it’s something simple like putting on your watch when you want to get work done. Or donning nicer clothing when you wish to be productive. Maybe you put on your house shoes when you’re preparing to lounge around.

Simple behaviors can serve as powerful reminders that it’s time to work or play.

Pay close attention to how you speak to yourself. 

When you complete a task, do you say something to yourself like, “Good job” or “Wow, you completed that quickly” or “Way to go”? Or do you spoil it by saying things like, “What took you so long” or “It’s about time”?

• It’s helpful to take note of what you say to yourself during moments you choose to waste away. Perhaps you’re telling yourself, “I hate doing X” or “I’m avoiding doing Y as long as I can.”
• What you say to yourself is powerful and sets the tone for how you’ll proceed. Avoid using negative phrasing to increase productivity and happiness.

Your choice to get things done plays very much into your level of happiness. Concentrate on increasing task completion. You’ll be happy you did!