14 English Phrasal Verbs for Productivity
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Do you ever feel like there aren't enough hours in the day? Or wonder how some people seem to accomplish so much in such a short amount of time? If you do, this blog post is for you! Today, we’re exploring 14 essential English phrasal verbs that can help you speak about productivity in both your professional and personal life.
Understanding Productivity
Productivity is all about making the most of your time to achieve your goals effectively and efficiently. It's not just about working harder; it's about working smarter.
As a self-confessed procrastinator, I sometimes struggle with productivity myself. Recently, I started reading a book by Ali Abdaal called Feel Good Productivity, which focuses on finding joy in the process of getting things done.
Inspired by Ali’s insights, I’ve put together a list of useful English phrasal verbs that can help you talk about productivity and getting things done. Let’s dive in!
Essential Phrasal Verbs for Productivity
1. Start off
To start off means to begin something. How do you start off your morning? Someone who’s highly productive might start off their day by journaling or making a to-do list. Personally, I often start off my day frantically looking for things and trying to remember my schedule.
2. Write down
When you write something down, you record it in writing. Writing down your thoughts or a to-do list can be a great way to keep track of your tasks. Even in this digital age, I find physically writing things down helps me stay organized.
3. Sort out
To sort out means to organize or resolve something. Each morning, I sort out my plan for the day. This involves preparing lessons, scheduling meetings, and resolving any immediate issues.
4. Map out
Mapping something out means planning it in detail. For instance, in a work setting, you might map out your strategy for the next quarter. It’s about sitting down and concentrating on planning thoroughly.
5. Dive into
When you dive into something, you start it with enthusiasm. After mapping out my day, I dive into my work, tackling tasks with energy and focus.
6. Break down
To break something down means to separate it into smaller parts. This approach can make large projects seem more manageable and less overwhelming.
7. Deal with
Dealing with something means taking action to achieve or solve it. Whether it’s dealing with a challenging task or a difficult person, handling these issues promptly can keep your productivity on track.
8. Work out / Figure out
Working out or figuring out something involves problem-solving. Early on, I like to work out how my students want to use English in their daily lives to tailor my lessons accordingly.
9. Set up
Setting something up means organising or arranging it. This could be setting up a meeting or organising your workspace.
10. Reach out
Reaching out means contacting others for help or information. Productivity often involves collaboration, so don’t hesitate to reach out to colleagues or clients as needed.
11. Follow up
Following up means checking the progress of something. It’s crucial to follow up on emails, tasks, and meetings to ensure everything is on track.
12. Go over
Going over something means reviewing or checking it. Before presentations, I always go over my documents to ensure everything is in order.
13. Get back to
To get back to something means returning to it after a break. After lunch or a short rest, I get back to work with renewed focus.
14. Wrap up
Wrapping up means finishing something. At the end of the day, I wrap up my tasks, review what I’ve accomplished, and plan for the next day.
Resources
Buy Feel Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal [affilaite link]