The Best Hacks To Boost Your Productivity At Work
Having trouble staying motivated and focused at work? Struggling to get through that neverending to-do list? This is your sign to stop worrying.
What you need is a boost in productivity—and we've got you covered with 25 easy hacks.
1. Plan Your Day In Advance
It may sound simple, but this is one of the most overlooked steps in being productive—it's also one of the most important. Having a clear schedule with time allotted for each task is a great way to make sure you don't forget important tasks.
It will also help you save time throughout the day, since there's no need to think about what you need to do next after each task.
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. Use Ad Blockers
Ads and pop-ups are always annoying, but at work, they can put a major damper on your productivity levels.
Use good ad blockers to keep these silly distractions at bay while you're working.
5. Embrace The Power Of "No"
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. Listen To Music
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
When it comes to all the little things that pile up throughout the day, don't waste time pondering if you should do something.
If it can be accomplished in two minutes or less, go for it in the moment. If it takes longer than that, put it on your to-do list.
8. Don't Multitask
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 Breaks
It might seem counterproductive, but taking breaks throughout the day has been shown to boost productivity. That's because you're giving your brain a chance to recover in between bouts of intense focus.
Many studies suggest taking a short break every 30 minutes but try any kind of break schedule that works 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 put it away in your mind because you think you'll remember it later, stop. The intention is good, but it's also more likely that you'll forget the task and never actually get it done.
Even if it's not a priority, put it on a to-do list so you don't forget about it.
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. Deconstruct Your Goals
Sometimes, if a goal seems to big to attain, we're more likely to procrastinate on starting to take steps to achieve that goal.
Breaking down big goals into smaller, attainable milestones means you can fit goal-specific tasks into your schedule.
And each time you accomplish one small goal, you'll be more motivated to continue working towards 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. Wake Up Early
For some people, waking up early is a good way to consistently feel re-energized before heading in to work.
For others, mornings are less distracting than afternoons, so getting up early makes for a more productive workflow.
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 if you have a lot of time to finish a task, setting a deadline can improve your productivity by motivating you to get your work done by a certain time. You can even set multiple smaller deadlines for milestones that all lead up to the final goal.
23. Use Natural Light
Natural lighting is an easy hack. Science has shown that exposure to sunlight can help improve sleep and contribute to a more positive mindset overall. Both of those benefits can improve your productivity levels at work.
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
Studies have shown that certain colors can affect our mood and brain function.
Red and blue colors are the best for boosting productivity.
Red colors can help improve your attention to details while blue colors inspire creativity. Use both in your workspace to supercharge your productivity.
