Did you know that World Productivity Day is on 20th June 2025?
It is not about taking on more things and cramming our schedules even more. It reminds us that efficiency is key as well as looking after our wellbeing. It is an opportunity to set new goals, to reflect on our successes and think about how we can accomplish more in the months to come. As we are halfway through 2025, we shall look at how to keep motivated moving into the second part of the year. We shall explore some tried and tested methods to boost your energy for the second part of the year.
Look back and look forward
Many people focus on what they have not achieved as opposed to all the things they have. While it is helpful to set goals, we need to be flexible about the goals we create. At times, we could end up working on the wrong aspirations and find ourselves ‘climbing up the wrong ladder’. It is wise to share our aspirations with others and reflect on whether we are working on goals which we really want to achieve. Looking back in time and reflecting on our successes can be helpful. Noticing accomplishments could boost motivation and improve self-confidence.
Take some time to answer the following questions:
- What have I achieved in the first half of 2025?
- What would I like to celebrate?
- What would I like to have happened differently?
- What would I like to achieve in the second part of the year?
- What is holding me back from more success?
Appreciate
When we feel overwhelmed with a range of tasks, we may withdraw and not connect with the important people in our lives. We may cancel meetings with friends, do not respond to their messages or fail to return phone calls. However, relationships and the people around us are very important. Maintaining good relationships with friends, family, colleagues, and others in the community is essential for our well-being. Who are the people in your life that you are most grateful for? Who would you like to connect with more often?
Slow down
Are you feeling overwhelmed by all the things on your to-do list? Do you often think that next week will be better (however, it is hardly ever the case)? Many people do their best to complete things quickly and feel disappointed when unexpected challenges come up. Haste often creates waste. When you try to accomplish your tasks quickly, you may make some mistakes and create additional stress. You might find it helpful to delete tasks from your to-do list which are not crucial. When you simplify your schedule, it is easier to slow down and focus on a handful of important things to accomplish.
Batch your tasks
You have probably heard of batching tasks and agree that this can be a useful strategy to become more productive. However, it is easy to be reactive as opposed to responsive. When e-mails come in, we tend to switch our focus to them and respond within a short time frame (whether we need to or not). Batching tasks means that instead of reacting to all the pressures around us, we plan how and when we will complete those tasks. We could batch answering e-mails, making phone calls, 1-2-1 meetings, the filing and administrative tasks, etc. The possibilities are endless. We need to become aware of what we pay attention to, as time management is all about managing focus. When we try to focus on too many tasks all at once, we feel drained, and our mind feels cluttered. However, when we focus on one thing at a time, we can deliver better quality work, make fewer mistakes and feel more in control in our working life.
Look at the consequences
Are you motivated by rewards or by avoiding the negative consequences? Are you motivated by avoiding failure and criticism or by receiving compliments from others? Most people are motivated by both internal and external factors. High performing athletes are motivated not only by achieving the desired medal and being the best in their field, but also by avoiding the criticism of others. What would motivate you to become even more productive in the second half of 2025?
Plan the old-fashioned way
Do you tend to plan your day the day before? If you use an application to do so, that is a great start. Many people would agree that using pen and paper helps the planning process. You may simply create a section for the morning and one for the afternoon. Do circle the tasks which are essential to be completed. You could also make an estimate in terms of how long it would take you to accomplish those things. Most people tend to underestimate how long it could take to finish a task. It is a good idea to build some flexibility in your plan.
Manage your energies
Handling pressure at work and at home is easier when we are physically cared for. Skipping meals, dropping good old exercise habits, and consuming too much caffeine can lead to feeling fragile and stressed. Unfortunately, we are most likely to drop our good habits when we have too much to handle. We might really enjoy simple things like cooking healthy meals from scratch. However, when we feel the burden of too many responsibilities, all of the good habits could feel like a chore. If you look after your body, you will be better able to face inevitable life stresses. It is important that you can talk to the people around you about what is going on with you.
Look after your mental health
Many universities offer Employee Assistance Programmes and provide free, independent and confidential support, including counselling. Education Support is a UK charity which supports the mental well-being of education staff in universities. The Charity called Mind offers advice to people with mental health problems as well as a range of initiatives. Samaritans aim to provide emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, and they can be accessed at any time of the day. The Mental Health Foundation is a charity focusing on preventing mental health issues. It is best to research all the support available and choose the best option based on your needs.
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