If you want something done, give it to a busy person. The reason this saying is used so often (and is true) is because busy people have mastered the art of productivity management. Being at the helm of financial operations across multiple outlets in the hospitality industry, you know that there can never be enough hours in the day to get everything done on your to-do list. Here are a few life hacks to kick your productivity into high gear so you can achieve more in less time.

The foundation of productivity management

As with all successful ventures in life, managing your productivity starts with preparation. And while you might already have a prep sheet and system in place, there’s no reason why you can’t optimise it to boost your productivity management. By simply planning your day better, you can prevent any unforeseen circumstances throwing you off course. Take some time before going to bed to map out what requires your attention, then list these with an allocated time according to importance. This allows your brain to prepare for the day ahead and ensures that you get a peaceful night’s rest. The more rested and prepared you are for the day, the higher your levels of productivity will be. This will allow you to work faster and smarter.

Get to grips with time management

Finding the time to get to everything that requires your attention daily can become a near-impossible juggling act. This is why getting a grip on how you manage each minute of your day is the foundation of productivity management. Update your calendar daily by re-evaluating your time and prioritising your tasks. In this way, you’ll have greater control over your workdays and reduce the time you spend stressing over the clock. The more you control every minute of your day, the easier it is to spot tasks that waste your time and focus on those that require more of it.

The benefits of making lists

Lists are nothing new, and whether making lists excites or repulses you, there’s no denying the benefits – operational and mental – of a to-do list. You can reduce anxiety by jotting down things that need to be done, minimising the time you spend stressing about rather than tackling pressing issues. Making lists also boosts brainpower by tapping into parts of the thinking machine that aren’t always used, allowing you to become more creative in your approach to problem-solving. And last but not least, there’s a great sense of accomplishment that comes with ticking items off your to-do list, a positive cycle that will make daily objectives seem more attainable.

Rest your brain to improve your focus

A good nap can do wonders for your productivity management. Before you yawn at the idea, science has proved that it holds many benefits for your daily mental functioning. While it might seem counter-intuitive to take time out of your day that could’ve been spent working to sleep, a nap can help to get more done. None of us really gets enough sleep at night, which leaves us more susceptible to the mid-day slump and mental fatigue. According to an Entrepreneur article, a recent study by NASA found that a 26-minute nap can boost productivity by as much as 34% and increase alertness by 54%.

Technology can boost your daily productivity

By automating many of the redundant and time-consuming tasks that take up much of your day, you can dedicate more time to problem-solving and financial forecasting. Implementing a comprehensive Point of Sale solution across all the outlets in your franchise lets you monitor the movement of every bill settled and purchase made.

Our intuitive Point of Sale software also integrates seamlessly with Sage Pastel to help you take care of all financial management and payroll matters in a fraction of the time it would have taken you before. Find out more on how valuable back-end data can help you optimise financial productivity across your franchise by downloading our free guide to Restaurant Data: Everything you need to know..

Author : Rudi Badenhorst

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