World Productivity Day: Top tips from the Masters of organized chaos

There’s no secret ingredient to becoming the most productive person on the planet. The truth is, we’re all different and work in unique ways. Our productivity thrives when we understand our personal challenges and strengths, adapting our working styles and collaborating with our teams and clients accordingly.

While there’s no perfect recipe for success when it comes to productivity, we can share some tips to help you on your journey to being your most productive self every day. Here are some personal experiences from our team to inspire you on this World Productivity Day.

1 | Keep it real

According to Inês, “The greatest piece of productivity advice is to be realistic. Being efficient doesn’t mean doing a hundred tasks in a day, but rather managing time and resources in the best possible way to prioritize effectively. Whether it’s the number of tasks on our to-do lists or the time and energy we allocate to each one, we need to be realistic and define three daily priorities. It’s important to embrace strategic procrastination, which means putting off certain tasks so our subconscious can mature ideas, resulting in better and more creative solutions.”

2 | Less is more

“Productivity is essential for economic growth, but we often confuse doing a lot with being more productive,” says Alba. “Productivity means achieving the maximum with the fewest resources, as per Pareto’s law, according to which 80% of the consequences come from 20% of the causes. This principle applies to our daily routines, decision-making processes and, in the case of business, to defining a more focused strategy. Sometimes, less really is more.

Talent, strategic capacity and common sense can increase productivity without needing to do more, addressing labor concerns often attributed to Generation Z and demonstrating that good human capital can yield great results.”

3 | Start the day with a break — really

“I believe the best way to start the day with determination is to get your body moving first thing in the morning,” says Rita. “Whether it’s a power walk, a run, or a quick stop at the gym, these initial moments are essential for getting your thoughts in order and setting priorities. Besides benefitting overall health, this tip can also reduce stress and improve your mood, which is essential for staying focused at work. Exercise wakes up your brain and boosts energy and concentration.”

4 | Check-in with yourself

Ana says, “I try to align my to-do list with my energy levels and circadian rhythm whenever possible. It might sound new-agey, but leveraging our biological patterns to boost efficiency and well-being is both smart and productive. Everyone has specific times when they feel more alert and focused, and therefore more likely to succeed at more demanding tasks, as well as times when they feel less energetic and should tackle easier chores. Crossing off actionable steps provides a dopamine boost that helps us tackle difficult tasks. Remember, every mountain is climbed with small steps.”

5 Recommended reading on productivity

• Organize Tomorrow Today, by Tom Bartow, Jason Selk, Matthew Rudy
• Deep Work, by Cal Newport
• 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen Covey
• Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience, by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
• The Power of Full Engagement, by Jim Loehr

Special thanks to our PR Specialists Ana Duarte, Alba Gonzaléz, Inês Lourenço, and Digital Specialist Rita Simões, for their insightful contributions to this article.