10 Proven Productivity Hacks That Can Save You Hours

Are you struggling with procrastination and reduced focus at work but don’t know what to do? Then you need to master the art of productivity hacks!

Entrepreneurs, marketers, lawyers, students, and parents are constantly racing against time. If you’re one of them, you feel like there are never enough hours in a day to accomplish your goals, let alone relax and actually enjoy life.

In most cases, lack of time isn’t the problem. Improper time management and lack of discipline are the main issues.

Luckily, there are proven methods you can use to increase your focus and work more efficiently.

Read on to discover 10 amazing productivity tips that’ll help you do more quality work in half the time.

1. Ask Yourself Why

If you want to be productive, you have to know why you’re doing what you’re doing. What is your main source of motivation? Why is your job or work important and what value does it provide?

The secret to being more productive is to know what drives you forward. If you don’t have a purpose and a desire to accomplish something, you’ll find it hard to focus.

2. Make a To-Do List the Night Before

Want to become more productive in the morning? Make your to-do list the night before. In the morning, you’ll know exactly what to do and won’t waste time thinking of tasks frantically.

This will give you peace of mind and you can use the extra time to have breakfast or start working sooner.

Remember to keep the list short. Don’t add 10 items if you know you’ll only have time and focus for 5.

3. Focus on the 3 Most Important Tasks First

The first three items on your to-do list should be high-priority things you have to do today. Put the most important and urgent item first. Then, arrange the following ones by importance.

This will help you tackle the hardest tasks first and if possible, complete them before noon. This way, you can take your time with the rest of the list and still have time to take a break and relax for the rest of the day.

4. Set a Timer

If you work in an office, you get easily distracted by people’s conversations, meetings, breaks, and phone calls. If you work from home, there will always be a million things to do before you actually sit down to get some work done. In both situations, your productivity suffers, leaving you with more work for the next day.

To practice self-discipline, set a timer for 30 minutes. Use 25 minutes to do focused work and the remaining 5 to take a break. Then, repeat the process and keep working until there’s no work left. This is the Pomodoro Method and is considered one of the most powerful work hacks out there.

5. Don’t Look at Your Phone

Seriously, don’t. So many people reach for their phone as soon as they open their eyes in the morning. This is one of the worst habits you can have if you want to have a productive day.

Put your phone on airplane mode, mute all notifications, and leave the device aside until you’re ready to get out the door.

Your brain is just waking up, and it needs some time to start processing important information. Scrolling through your social media feeds is the opposite of useful. And it can be detrimental to your productivity.

6. Listen to Music

One of the easiest, most effective work hacks to use when you’re in a slump is to listen to music. It can be a happy, uplifting, energetic playlist or slow, soothing sounds that’ll help you relax and focus.

Some people can get distracted by music while working, so if you’re one of them, listen to music while you’re getting ready for work or driving.

7. Develop a Morning Routine

Having a structured routine in the morning can lead to increased productivity, better stress management, and more happiness. This is why many famous people and successful entrepreneurs swear by their morning and night routines.

Some routines last only 15 minutes; others can take as long as one hour. It’s important to find what feels right for your lifestyle and go with that.

For example, if you’re always rushing out the door and barely have time to eat breakfast, try getting up at least 30 minutes earlier. Prepare your mind for the day ahead by doing 10 minutes of meditation or listening to podcasts.

Don’t scroll through your phone first thing in the morning, and don’t check email until you get to work.

8. Take Regular Breaks

Nobody can be productive for 8 hours straight. There will always be distractions, and the human brain can focus on a single task for a limited period of time alone.

The solution to this is not to stay late at work and use all the best productivity hacks. It’s to take a break when you feel your productivity levels are dropping. Whenever possible, go to a nearby park, a coffee shop, or just take a walk around the block.

A change of scenery does wonders for regaining focus and productivity hacks at work. This way, when you’re back to the office, you’ll do more things in less time.

9. Eat a Healthy Breakfast

Eating a nutritious breakfast can help you stay focused and fuel your brain with energy.

Many people skip breakfast when they’re in a rush, so it’s a good idea to prepare something the night before. Try to eat it before you start working to boost your productivity as soon as you sit down at your desk.

After that, you can grab a cup of coffee, tea, or fresh orange juice to wake you up.

10. Dress for the Job You Want

Whether you work in an office or remotely, you should always dress for the job you’d like to have, not the one you already do.

This is especially true for those who work from home. Staying in your pajamas all day sends your brain the message that it’s still ‘lounge’ time, not ‘let’s do work’ time.

Even if nobody notices your clothes, dressing up will motivate you to do give your best in everything you do. This, in turn, fuels even more productivity.

Try These Productivity Hacks Today!

Staying focused throughout the workday can be challenging, but luckily, these productivity hacks will help you complete your to-do list and achieve your goals in no time.

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