How to be more productive at work

With so many distractions in a typical workday, it can be difficult to be as productive as you want to be. However, taking steps to increase your productivity and efficiency can be incredibly beneficial - you will be more successful at work, plus you won't be playing catch-up during your free time. Here are some tricks you can use to be more productive at work. 

Use a productivity planner

Using a planner to stay organised is one of the best ways to be more productive. There has been a trend lately towards planners designed specifically to help you get more done. You can use planners to lay out your tasks each day and help you stick to a schedule. The act of writing everything out helps you feel more committed to your schedule and motivate you to procrastinate less, plus it always feels satisfying to check something off your to-do list.

Focus on one task at a time

Many people think that multitasking will help them be more productive. However, it's actually more effective to just focus on one task at a time. This is because it's very difficult for our brains to focus on more than one thing at a time, so if you try to multi-task, not only will it take you longer to get each task done, but the quality of your work probably won't be your best. 

Schedule your breaks

If you are going to be productive during your day, it's absolutely imperative that you take breaks. This might sound counterproductive, but both your brain and body need periodic rest in order to function properly. If you have a hard time taking breaks, try scheduling them. Aim to take a five to 10-minute break at an interval that works for you - every hour or 90 minutes is usually a good guide. You can set alarms on your phone to make sure you take your breaks and get back to work on time. 

Keep meetings to a minimum

While there are times when meetings are a necessity, the truth is that they tend to run long and be more frustrating than productive. If you can get a task finished individually or collaborate online instead, go for that option instead.