A problem many people have (myself included sometimes) is how to stay productive. We live in a world where we expect everything instantly, but also there is so much information out there and we suffer from information overload which can hinder our productivity. In fact, you could spend so much time reading about how to increase productivity…that you could never get anything done! So I thought I’d share with you two simple productivity tips that I use, that most productivity experts or blogs don’t usually talk about.
Productivity Tip 1: Change Your Diet
Just a LITTLE healthier than an Egg McMuffin
A few months ago, I used to eat burgers and drink caramel macchiatos almost daily. I still do sometimes, but I’ve cut back a lot–with the burgers at least 
. Not only that, but I’ve been drinking green smoothies and eating a lot more fruits and vegetables these days. And you know what? I feel better and have more energy, which in turn keeps me motivated to get more work done. So even changing your diet and watching what you eat just a little bit can have a positive increase on your mood, your energy levels, and your productivity levels. I am not even saying to completely alter your diet, but make small changes. When you go out, have 2 or 3 beers instead of 6. Drink more water instead of Sprite. Green smoothies taste delicious and take less time than cooking a meal. These are some small changes but they can add up to big results. Think of your body as a car. If you want to take care of your car, would you fill it up with crappy fuel or top of the line fuel? Same thing with your body. Feed it nourishing food instead of Doritos, sodas, and donuts.
Productivity Tip 2: Think About Your Friends
I think Jim Rohn said it first. Ramit’s been saying it a lot, and my friend James Kerti said it to me just the other day: “You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with.” This is probably one of the easiest ways to change your behavior. Think about it. If your 5 closest friends spend their time drinking and watching Modern Family or South Park (which are great shows, I know), then you are likely to develop that pattern. If your friends are reading interesting books or hustling or working on kick-ass projects, then you are more likely to be doing that, too. I am not saying go out and ditch your friends if they are being complacent. Someone like Steve Pavlina might say that, but not me. I’m just saying you can try to find others who are doing whatever you want to do, and spend more time with them. If you can’t connect with them in person, find them on Facebook, Twitter, or their blog. They can help you keep on track by pushing you a little bit and making you held accountable for your productive actions.
These are two little productivity tips that I find work better than writing check lists, or reading Getting Things Done, or forcing yourself out of bed an hour earlier each morning. Some of these other tips might work, but I think eating a little bit better and surrounding yourself with “productive” people will also help you get more things done.
Feel free to share what productivity tips work for you in the comments section below, and also, if you know a friend who might benefit from these tips, please share this post with them.
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