If you think there’s not enough time in the day to knockout your to-do list, well, you may just be doing it wrong. From distractions and discomfort to poor time management, there are a number of things that can get in the way of conquering your to-do list. These three tech items might just be able to help you take back your day.
Smart Thermostats
What does temperature have to do with productivity? A lot, actually. In fact, recent research from Cornell University found that productivity plummets when the room temperature does the same, citing that people who were cold committed 44 percent more errors in 68-degree temperature than when working in an environment set to a more comfortable 77 degrees. Not only did the study find that participants were more likely to make mistakes, researches found that the participants were distracted as well. Most experts would agree that an optimal working environment should be between 73 and 77 degrees.
Next time you want to get more done and check more items off of your to-do list, take a look at your temperature. Adopting smart tech in your home, like smart thermostats, for example, can make achieving the optimal temperature for productivity seamless.Wi-Fi-enabled thermostats, like ecobee, work in partnership with room sensors that help manage hot and cold spots around your home or workspace. Additionally, ecobee can be controlled by Amazon Alexa Voice Service and you can control the thermostat on the go, when you’re away from your space, via your smartphone or device.
Distraction-free Speakers
Research has shown that listening to music can boost productivity levels, which is good news for those of us with a long to-do list. How does it do this? Music helps to encourage the release of dopamine in the brain, which makes us feel good. When you’re feeling stressed, you’re more likely to make a hasty decision or show signs of unfocused attention. Additional studies from The University of Miami have shown that people who listen to music while working not only complete tasks faster but also come up with more creative ideas — all because of music.
Now, quit fiddling with your headphones and opt for a distraction-free speaker instead. Take your music wherever you go with a JBL Bluetooth-enabled speaker. There’s no cord to mess with or plug in. Just connect and listen. The JBL Flip 3 offers 10 hours of battery life and is equipped with dual passive radiators for optimal sound. It’s also durable and washable. And when you need to take calls, JBL makes it easy with its built-in speakerphone with echo and noise cancellation technology.
Make the Most of Your Time
Does the day feel like it’s slipping away from you? Are you skipping lunch to put a check on your to-do list? Are you staying up late working on a project. If so, you need a break, and a new time management system. We can actually get more done when we take more breaks, it’s true. You can only work on something for so long until you inevitably hit a wall. Consider the Pomodoro Technique. Simply use a timer to break up your work into focused time blocks. These time blocks are typically about 25 minutes long and are followed up by a short five minute break. After four consecutive rounds of your time blocks, take a longer break, say 10 to 15 minutes.
There’s no point in adopting this method if you’re going to be checking your watch or phone every few minutes to see if the time is us. You could use a timer, or, consider using an app that keeps track of your time blocks and breaks.Try focus booster. This app helps you create better work habits and tracks your productivity levels — without confusing spreadsheets.
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