How to Break Out of a Productivity Slump

Productivity slumps happen and sometimes the best thing to do is embrace them. But at other times, we have to find ways to break out of productivity slumps because of looming projects and deadlines. Discover 3 tips for how to break out of a productivity slump and recover your motivation, stay focused, and get back to work building your business.

How to Break Out of a Productivity Slump

I seem to cycle through productivity slumps several times a year.

Sometimes I’m able to indulge my lack of motivation and let go of getting things done, which helps me to come back refreshed. But at other times, I have to push through and find a way to break out of a productivity slump due to impending deadlines.

Over the course of the past few years, there are a few of the tricks I’ve discovered that help me to recover my mojo and get back to work. Today I’m sharing a few of those tips with you, so you can break out of a productivity slump (when necessary), too!

Determine the Reason Behind Your Slump

If possible, try to discover why you’re in a productivity slump. This is the most effective way to determine what step to take (or not take) next.

For example, oftentimes my productivity slump is a result of lack of quality sleep. I’ve learned that when this situation arises the only thing I can do to break out is to take extra time for rest. Once I’ve caught up on sleep I start feeling better, have more energy, and am able to break out of my productivity slump.

Another reason I fall into productivity slumps is too much stuff cluttering up my office and desk. When I fall out of my routine of clearing my desk at the end of each work day or my schedule is overly busy and I have incomplete projects littering my office, my productivity plummets. The best and fastest way for me to bust out of this type of slump is to clear the clutter.

No surprise there, right?

By taking an hour or so to declutter, straighten, and clean my office, I refresh myself and my work space, and I’m able to get back to work.

Take a few minutes to think about why you’re in a productivity slump as this can help you decide the best way to bust out of it.

Sometimes there seems to be no logical reason for a productivity slump. If that’s the case, the following tasks often help to break you out of it so you can get back to work!

Knock Out Quick Tasks

Is your to-do list long and overwhelming?

Are there tasks on your list that you can quickly accomplish and that don’t require a large amount of effort?

Sometimes by just completing a couple of tasks and shortening your task list, you can break out of a productivity slump.

Quick tasks might include things like:

sending emails
making phone calls
opening mail
emptying your inbox
filing
updating your website plugins
organizing your email inbox
reviewing notes
etc.

The landscape here is to shorten your task list, so it’s less overwhelming to tackle.

Find a few quick tasks that you can complete and mark off your task list as a jump start for breaking out of a productivity slump!

Just Start

Starting is hard.

It doesn’t matter whether you have a long or short task list or a task list packed with small or large projects, getting started is a challenge.

Break out of a productivity slump by just starting!

Tell yourself you’ll take one small step on a project. Or set a timer and work for 5, 10, or 15 minutes as a way to just start.

I find that once I’m over the initial start hurdle, I’m energized and willing to work longer to tackle additional tasks or make more progress on a task or project!

Clear Your Desk

Sometimes a productivity slump is the result of trying to work in a cluttered space.

Frustration quickly mounts when you spend more time shifting piles and stuff than actually working on your business!

Set a timer for 10-15 minutes and clear your work space to break a productivity slump and re-energize yourself.

You can even take this a step further by building a regular routine around clearing your desk.

I try to clear my desk at the end of every work day, so that I can avoid overwhelm and productivity slumps. This also allows me to start each work day on a positive note!

How to Break Out of a Productivity Slump

Productivity slumps happen. Sometimes we need to embrace a slump and take a break, but at other times, we have to find ways to break out of productivity slumps because of looming projects and deadlines.

The 3 hacks in today’s post will help you recover your motivation, stay focused, and get back to work building your business.

If you enjoyed today’s post you might find these related posts helpful:

What tricks have you discovered to break out of a productivity slump? Do you find it helpful to determine why you’re experiencing a productivity slump?

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How to Break Out of a Productivity Slump