{"id":565,"date":"2019-01-02T23:52:40","date_gmt":"2019-01-02T23:52:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/creativeedgeco.wpengine.com\/?p=565"},"modified":"2025-07-10T10:52:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-09T23:52:09","slug":"how-to-be-more-productive-and-more-present","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/how-to-be-more-productive-and-more-present\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Be More Productive and More Present"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s a great feeling when we get stuff done. Most of us talk about running out of time or not being as productive as we would like to be. A few years back I decided to make some changes in my everyday habits that helped me to be more productive without having to spend any money or implement sophisticated systems. I also discovered that I was more present \u2013 to the task, to what was important, to myself and to other people.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Try these simple tips.<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. What is Your Intention?<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Don\u2019t put off the important stuff.<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

To me, this is the most important practice that I have incorporated into my life. At the beginning of most working days I sit at my desk and take a few moments to breathe deeply and reflect on what I need to achieve today and what I\u2019d like to achieve today. In these moments of reflection I get clear on my priorities and I make a commitment to do what I can to support my intentions. (I\u2019m also a crazy list maker.)<\/p>\n

Work first on what you need to achieve and then on what you would like to achieve. <\/em>Set your intentions each day.<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n

 <\/p>\n

2. Say No to Your Phone<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 It\u2019s meant to be a communication tool, not an appendage!<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

We survived perfectly well for decades without being \u2018connected\u2019 24\/7. For many of us the mobile phone has become like a fifth limb. We go into panic mode if we accidentally leave the phone in the house or the car. I often need to remind myself that 99% of phone calls or text messages are not emergencies. The world is not going to end if I don\u2019t have my phone on me.<\/p>\n

Many would agree we love our mobile phones and they provide us with quick and convenient access to people and tools. However, if we are so focused on taking every call, answering every text or looking at every post, we are letting the phone control us. I often choose to put distance between my mobile phone and myself and it feels great!<\/p>\n

It\u2019s OK to say no to your phone for periods throughout the day. Health professionals tell us that we sleep better if we have at least an hour of tech-free time before bed. I\u2019ve tried it and it works for me.<\/p>\n

If you are working on a project, reading a book, chatting with family or friends turn your phone off so you can be more present.<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n

 <\/p>\n

3. Come Clean<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Your workspace will support or distract you.<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

In my experience, if my workspace or my home is untidy or cluttered I am easily distracted. I can be more focused if things are in order. Everyone is different, but if things are all over the place we waste valuable time looking for what we need\u2026 and it doesn\u2019t help our stress levels either.<\/p>\n

Take time at the end of the week or first thing at the beginning of the day to clear your workspace of clutter.<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n

 <\/p>\n

4. Purge Unwanted Emails<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Press unsubscribe!<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

I can\u2019t count how many hours I\u2019ve wasted opening emails that I don\u2019t need. I\u2019m personally on a mission to unsubscribe from companies and people that send me stuff I don\u2019t need or want. It\u2019s a time-waster wading through emails to determine which ones are worth keeping and which ones I want to delete.<\/p>\n

If you are not getting big value from emails then unsubscribe.<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n

 <\/p>\n

5. Move Your Body<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Taking short breaks can revitalise your energy levels.<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

When we are concentrating for long period of time and not being physically active our brains and our bodies become fatigued. I like to get up once every hour, have a stretch, take some deep breaths, drink a glass of water and then I\u2019m ready to get back to work. I also do a few Pilates moves if my muscles or bones feel constricted.<\/p>\n

Remember to move. This helps you shake up your state of mind and brings refreshment.<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n

 <\/p>\n

6. Do Something Different<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 What is the difference that will make the difference?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

We often complain that we are bored or in a rut, or we continue to behave in ways that are not serving ourselves or others. We run habitual patterns that hold us back. It sounds too simple but sometimes all we need to do is something different.<\/p>\n

I was working with a client a few weeks back who was struggling with negative attitudes relating to her work. She is not in a position just now to leave the job so we discussed ways she could improve the situation. She acknowledged that she cannot change the tasks she has to do which she finds tedious and boring, nor can she change the attitudes of the people she works with \u2013 however, she can change her attitude.<\/p>\n

I suggested she wear different clothes to work, she takes a different route to work, she parks in a different car space, she enters work through a different door and she responds to the first people that she meets in a different way. We also discussed how she could change her frame of mind (her attitude) to a more resourceful state. The next day she did all of the above and reported that doing something different made a huge difference to her happiness.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Choose a few things that you could do differently today to revitalise your attitude toward your work.<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n

 <\/p>\n

There are many more ways to increase our productivity and to be more present. Have you found any of these helpful? Please add your own tips and share what works for you in the comments below.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

_<\/p>\n

Monica O\u2019Brien is a professionally trained and accredited Coach and founder of Creative Edge Coaching\u00a0<\/em>www.creativeedgecoaching.com.au<\/em><\/a>. She blogs on issues about creativity and small business development for conscious artists and business entrepreneurs.\u00a0<\/em>Book your free discovery call here.<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Join CREATIVITY UNLEASHED!<\/a> Facebook GROUP – the Official Facebook Community for Creatives.<\/p>\n

If you are\u00a0a creative person building your career or looking to grow your creative business, this group is for you! Our purpose is to support and celebrate creativity and the talented people who enrich our world with music, art, drama, poetry, words, shape, colour, beauty and innovation. Our goal is to connect with other like-minded creatives, ask questions, reflect, get unstuck, move through resistance and blocks, participate in group conversations, share our stories, learn, get support and feedback for our creative endeavours\/career\/business and tap into the wisdom of the group.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s a great feeling when we get stuff done. Most of us talk about running out of time or not being as productive as we would like to be. A few years back I decided to make some changes in my everyday habits that helped me to be more productive without having to spend any […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":6997,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[12,11],"tags":[40,444,302,494,89,517,516,518,253,250],"class_list":["post-565","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business-development","category-wellness","tag-creative-coaching","tag-creative-edge-coaching","tag-creative-focus","tag-mindfulness-practices","tag-personal-development","tag-presence-in-creativity","tag-productivity-for-creatives","tag-stress-reduction","tag-time-management","tag-work-life-balance"],"yoast_head":"\nHow To Be More Productive and More Present<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn strategies to enhance your productivity while staying grounded and present in each moment of your creative journey.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/how-to-be-more-productive-and-more-present\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How To Be More Productive and More Present\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn strategies to enhance your productivity while staying grounded and present in each moment of your creative journey.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/how-to-be-more-productive-and-more-present\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Creative Edge Coaching\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2019-01-02T23:52:40+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-07-09T23:52:09+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/WELLNESS-IS-AN-INSIDE-JOB.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Monica OBrien\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"How To Be More Productive and More Present\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"Learn strategies to enhance your productivity while staying grounded and present in each moment of your creative journey.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:image\" content=\"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/WELLNESS-IS-AN-INSIDE-JOB.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Monica OBrien\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/how-to-be-more-productive-and-more-present\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/how-to-be-more-productive-and-more-present\/\",\"name\":\"How To Be More Productive and More Present\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/how-to-be-more-productive-and-more-present\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/how-to-be-more-productive-and-more-present\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/WELLNESS-IS-AN-INSIDE-JOB.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2019-01-02T23:52:40+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-07-09T23:52:09+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/#\/schema\/person\/e1609a2291975fd4f26c50a18fb903e9\"},\"description\":\"Learn strategies to enhance your productivity while staying grounded and present in each moment of your creative journey.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/how-to-be-more-productive-and-more-present\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/how-to-be-more-productive-and-more-present\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/how-to-be-more-productive-and-more-present\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/WELLNESS-IS-AN-INSIDE-JOB.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/WELLNESS-IS-AN-INSIDE-JOB.jpg\",\"width\":1920,\"height\":1080,\"caption\":\"A woman meditating.\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/how-to-be-more-productive-and-more-present\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"How To Be More Productive and More Present\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/\",\"name\":\"Creative Edge Coaching\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/#\/schema\/person\/e1609a2291975fd4f26c50a18fb903e9\",\"name\":\"Monica OBrien\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/mon-thumbnail.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/mon-thumbnail.jpg\",\"caption\":\"Monica OBrien\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/author\/monica-obrien\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How To Be More Productive and More Present","description":"Learn strategies to enhance your productivity while staying grounded and present in each moment of your creative journey.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/how-to-be-more-productive-and-more-present\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"How To Be More Productive and More Present","og_description":"Learn strategies to enhance your productivity while staying grounded and present in each moment of your creative journey.","og_url":"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/how-to-be-more-productive-and-more-present\/","og_site_name":"Creative Edge Coaching","article_published_time":"2019-01-02T23:52:40+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-07-09T23:52:09+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1920,"height":1080,"url":"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/WELLNESS-IS-AN-INSIDE-JOB.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Monica OBrien","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_title":"How To Be More Productive and More Present","twitter_description":"Learn strategies to enhance your productivity while staying grounded and present in each moment of your creative journey.","twitter_image":"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/WELLNESS-IS-AN-INSIDE-JOB.jpg","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Monica OBrien","Est. reading time":"6 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/how-to-be-more-productive-and-more-present\/","url":"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/how-to-be-more-productive-and-more-present\/","name":"How To Be More Productive and More Present","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/how-to-be-more-productive-and-more-present\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/how-to-be-more-productive-and-more-present\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/WELLNESS-IS-AN-INSIDE-JOB.jpg","datePublished":"2019-01-02T23:52:40+00:00","dateModified":"2025-07-09T23:52:09+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/#\/schema\/person\/e1609a2291975fd4f26c50a18fb903e9"},"description":"Learn strategies to enhance your productivity while staying grounded and present in each moment of your creative journey.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/how-to-be-more-productive-and-more-present\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-AU","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/how-to-be-more-productive-and-more-present\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-AU","@id":"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/how-to-be-more-productive-and-more-present\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/WELLNESS-IS-AN-INSIDE-JOB.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/WELLNESS-IS-AN-INSIDE-JOB.jpg","width":1920,"height":1080,"caption":"A woman meditating."},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/how-to-be-more-productive-and-more-present\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"How To Be More Productive and More Present"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/#website","url":"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/","name":"Creative Edge Coaching","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-AU"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/#\/schema\/person\/e1609a2291975fd4f26c50a18fb903e9","name":"Monica OBrien","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-AU","@id":"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/mon-thumbnail.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/mon-thumbnail.jpg","caption":"Monica OBrien"},"url":"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/author\/monica-obrien\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/WELLNESS-IS-AN-INSIDE-JOB.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/565","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=565"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/565\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7982,"href":"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/565\/revisions\/7982"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6997"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=565"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=565"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=565"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}