The Best Ways To Actually Get Your Work Done
Feeling stuck at work or buried under a never-ending to-do list? You’re not alone—and no, it’s not just you. Sometimes all it takes is a few smart tweaks to get back on track.
Here are 25 simple, effective productivity hacks to help you stay focused, motivated, and finally power through your day.
1. Plan Your Day In Advance
It might sound basic, but this is one of the most overlooked (and powerful) productivity tools: a clear, time-blocked schedule.
Planning out your day with dedicated time slots for each task not only helps you stay on track—it saves you from wasting time figuring out what to do next. It’s simple, but it works.
2. Use A Productivity Technique
Productivity techniques are powerful ways to stay focused while you're working. There are lots of great productivity methods for you to choose from, but some of the more common ones include the Pomodoro technique, time blocking, and SMART goals.
3. Set Times To Check Your Email
If you get a lot of emails throughout the day, checking your email can be a big distraction at work, and cut into the time you need for more important tasks.
Try checking your email only twice a day—once before lunch and once before you finish up for the day works well for most people.
4. Block Those Ads
Pop-ups and ads are annoying anywhere—but at work, they’re a fast track to distraction. A solid ad blocker can help keep those interruptions out of sight so you can stay focused and in the zone.
5. "No" Is A Complete Sentence
It can be hard to turn people down, especially at work where we want to fit in or be a good team player. But sometimes, not saying no leads us to take on too much or get caught up in other people's work rather than spending time on our own.
If you want to be more productive, you've got to put your foot down.
6. Vibe Out
Music is one of the best ways to stay focused and productive. Anything that gets you in the mood to zero in on your tasks is good for your work playlist.
7. Use the Two-Minute Rule
Don’t let small tasks pile up while you debate what to do. If something takes two minutes or less, just knock it out right away. If it’ll take longer, add it to your to-do list and keep moving.
8. One Thing At A Time
I know it's tempting, but multitasking really does make you less productive. Studies have shown that 98% of people are less productive when they multitask. Try putting all your focus into one task at a time and see how that boosts your overall productivity.
9. Start With The Easiest Or The Hardest Task
How you start your workday usually determines how the rest of the day will flow.
If you start with the easiest task, you gain momentum as you quickly knock things off your list. If you start with the hardest task, everything else will feel easier once it's done.
10. Take A Chill Pill
It might feel counterproductive, but taking regular breaks can actually boost your productivity. Short pauses give your brain a chance to recharge between deep work sessions.
Many studies suggest a quick break every 30 minutes—but the key is finding a rhythm that works best for you.
11. Make An Agenda For Your Breaks
If you know there are certain things you want to do during your break or little tasks that you can squeeze in during these moments of downtime, then write them down. Knowing what you want to do on your break can help you make the most of that time, and also not get so distracted that you're late returning to work.
12. Have A Designated Workspace
Having a place that's dedicated only for work will help put you in the right mindset to stay focused on your tasks throughout the day. This is especially important if you work from home or remotely.
13. Add It To The List
If you think of a task and tell yourself, “I’ll remember it later,” stop right there. Good intentions aside, chances are you’ll forget—and the task won’t get done. Even if it’s not urgent, jot it down on your to-do list so it doesn’t slip through the cracks.
14. Use Templates For Routine Tasks
Making templates for repetitive tasks that have to be done the same way each time is a great way to save time throughout the day. This makes your workflow more efficient, which will boost your overall productivity.
15. Cut Out Distractions
If you know you're easily distracted by certain things, try removing them from your workspace. In addition to wasting time, giving in to distractions also makes it harder to regain focus and get back to the task at hand.
16. Break It Down
Big goals can feel overwhelming—and that often leads to procrastination. The fix? Break them down into smaller, manageable milestones you can actually schedule.
Every small win builds momentum and keeps you motivated to keep pushing toward the bigger picture.
17. Take A Moment To Get Into Work Mode
Once we've done our work for the day, many of us detach and forget about the job until the next morning. Before you get started on your work each morning, take a few moments to think about what you want to achieve that day. This will help you get in a better mindset and ready to focus on that first task of the day.
18. Connect Your Tasks To Goals
It's easy to get bogged down in a bunch of small tasks, but if you want to boost your productivity, then you'll need to decide which tasks are really worth your time. Before committing to a task, think about if it will help move you towards attaining one of your goals. If it doesn't, try to eliminate it from your workflow or try delegating it to someone else.
19. Rise And Shine
For some, waking up early is a great way to feel refreshed and ready for the day. For others, the quiet of the morning offers fewer distractions—making it the perfect time to get a jump on work and boost productivity.
20. Remember That Nothing Is Perfect
We all want to excel at our jobs, but perfectionism is more likely to slow you down rather than help you succeed.
Don't waste time making sure that every task is perfect. As long as the work is done well enough, you can move on to the next important task.
21. Make Time For Self-Care
Self-care is more than about kicking back and relaxing. Scheduling time for self-care will help prevent you from feeling overworked or burnt out. It's also good for your physical health as well as your overall productivity.
22. Stick To Deadlines
Even when there’s no rush, setting deadlines can keep you motivated and on track. Try breaking big tasks into smaller milestones with mini-deadlines along the way—it’s a simple trick that makes a big difference in staying productive.
23. Let The Sun In
Natural light is an underrated productivity booster. Studies show that sunlight helps improve sleep and mood—both of which directly impact how focused and energized you feel at work. Let the light in!
24. Work In Short Intervals
It's hard for our brains to focus on the same thing for long periods of time. To stay focused and motivated, try working in sessions. The Pomodoro technique is one way of doing this. Try working in 25-minute sessions with 5-minute breaks in between them.
25. Use Colors
Color isn’t just for aesthetics—it can actually influence your focus and creativity. Studies show red tones help sharpen attention to detail, while blue tones boost creative thinking. Add a mix of both to your workspace for a subtle but effective productivity boost.
