20 easy ways to boost productivity

It may seem counterintuitive, but a great way to stay productive is to take regular breaks. Your mind can only stay on task for so long, so take a little bit of time every now and again to regain your focus and get back into a flow.

To-do lists are as old as time, and they’re still just as effective. If you can see what you need to get done, you’re more likely to do it. A to-do list will help you stay organized and on task.

A clean space reflects a clear mind. If your workspace is full of clutter, take a moment to clean and organize to limit distractions and boost productivity. You’ll be amazed at what a clean space can do for you. 

Having your phone or another device right next to you while trying to work can result in major distractions. Whether you’re checking notifications or purposely trying to procrastinate, it’s simply a weapon of idleness. Put it far away from your person when you need to be productive. 

If you’ve got a lot to do and not much time to do it thanks to unnecessary meetings, cancel them. Chances are the person(s) you’re meeting with don’t want to have it either. If it can be an email, cancel the meeting to get some necessary work done. 

So much personal success is predicated on knowing yourself and making the best decisions based on that knowledge. If you know that you’re more productive in the morning, plan to complete either your most important, longest, or most difficult tasks and save the easier or less important ones for later. 

Multitasking seems like a helpful way to get more done in a shorter amount of time, but it’s actually the opposite. Research shows that your brain isn’t wired to multitask, and if you try to split your focus between projects, you’ll actually spend more time. 

If you need something to kickstart your productivity, try time blocking. This is a simple yet effective way to manage your time by carving out blocks of time you know you’re going to get work done. You have to be disciplined to make it work, but you’ll find it’s a great way to negotiate with yourself. 

Task batching is another effective time management strategy. It involves completing similar activities all at the same time, like checking emails or reading reports. It keeps you focused on similar tasks and gets you in a great flow. 

Our bodies crave energy, and that comes from the food we eat. If you’re lacking in productivity because you don’t have enough energy, eat. It’ll boost your mood and enlighten your mind. 

There’s lots of research to show that napping is actually great for productivity. It’s similar to eating. If you need energy and the solution is to sleep, sleep. Time your nap so you don’t mess with your nightly sleep schedule, but don’t be afraid to take a midday snooze to boost your productivity. 

Water doesn’t directly give you energy, but it does keep your body functioning properly, which in turn keeps you energized. Staying hydrated on a regular basis is not a quick fix, but it will benefit you in the long run. 

Caffeine, on the other hand, will give you a near-instant boost of energy. If you’ve exhausted all other solutions, have a cup of coffee (or whatever form of caffeine you prefer) to get your mind going. Just don’t have too much. That’ll rattle your brain in your skull and make you less productive. 

Once you’ve made a to-do list, look at that list and rank the tasks by what’s most important or time-sensitive and get those done first. You’ll find that prioritizing your tasks will keep you focused and motivate you to actually get them finished. 

Sometimes, all it takes to get something done is a change of scenery. If you really need to get some work done but are struggling, change your environment. Work from a new room. Take your computer outside. Go to a coffee shop. Make a simple change to boost your productivity. 

Humans are motivated by rewards. It’s just the truth. If you’ve been avoiding getting something done, plan to reward yourself when you finish that task. Follow through with your reward and use that system to aid in productivity. 

If you have the resources to do so, delegate certain tasks so you can stay focused on what’s most important. These tasks don’t have to be work-related —they could also be at home, like cleaning or grocery shopping. 

When you’re in the thick of a task, it can help to look back at all you’ve gotten done so far. Seeing what you’re capable of and how little you have left compared to what you’ve finished can be a huge motivator. 

The five-minute rule is a time management tool in which you dedicate five minutes to a task you’ve been putting off. It tricks your brain because it’s a small amount of time to spend on a task, but it usually results in you either finishing the task or realizing that it’s not so bad and spending more than five minutes on it. 

Routines are not always fun to keep up with, but they do work. If you want to be consistently productive, figure out a routine that works for you and stick to it.