Want to improve productivity? Start by decluttering your head

If you have ever heard of decluttering, you will probably with it a big clear-out, getting rid of stuff. But you can not only get rid of physical clutter but also mental clutter. This can help you to focus on what's important and be more productive.

Here are 3 top tips on how to free your mind.

Get it down on paper (or into an app)

Many of us are still trying to juggle diaries, to do lists, important dates, etc. in our heads. And we they beat ourselves up when we forget something.

In these hectic and stressful times we should be kind to ourselves and give our brains a break.

Put things on paper. Note important appointments, birthdays, anniversaries, schedules on a wall calender, a pocket calender or into the computer using one of the many available diary software programmes like Outlook or one of the many apps on your smartphone. Use an attractive notebook for your To-Do-Lists or an app such as Trello. And write your shopping list down instead of going to the shops only to come back without the most essential items that you went out for.

You can, of course, use one of the many available apps on your smartphone or tablet.

Shorten your To-Do List

You are the only one that has control over your time. You decide what is important and what is not. And you are the one who has to say No if you are overwhelmed with things to do. Nobody else will do that for you, they are only too happy to add items to your list.

There are only 24 hours in one day, and some of those you need to rest. Decide which items on your To-do List can either wait, be delegated to someone else or scrapped altogether. You will be amazed how freeing this experience can be.

"Don't cry over spilt milk"

Most things that we get annoyed about are not really a big deal. Someone cuts in front of us on the road, we drop something, we spill some coffee on our outfit just before leaving the house - so what? It is up to us whether these things will spoil our whole day or just aggravate us for a few minutes.

Of course you will be annoyed, maybe even angry but then let it go and decide not to let it bother you. It is up to you to let the rest of the day be a good one.

A good place to start is the book by Richard Carlson, "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff". It is an instruction manual on how to live a more peaceful life and to get more brain space back which you can put to much better use than worrying about all the "small stuff" in life.

If you have found this article useful, please use one of the social media buttons below to share it. Thank you!