If you are working the 9-5 grind, chances are there are times when you are sitting at your desk and feeling completely unproductive. We all have those days where you don’t even want to dive into your to do list. No matter how hard we try, we just can’t seem to focus or finish anything.
When that happens, take a step back and try these simple hacks to make you more productive:
1. Use tools like ToDoist or Wunderlist.
These are great online tools that help you create projects and lists and keep on track with your current to-dos. ToDoist gives you points for completing tasks and you can move up levels once you’ve received enough points. If you have that have crazy type-A personality trait, like I do, getting arbitrary points is like the best thing ever.
2. Tackle your least desirable task first.
This is a hard one to live by, but somehow, it works.
When you get to work in the morning, make a to-do list (see number 1) of all the things you need to complete during the day. Then find the least desirable task and do it first. Once you’ve completed it, you can move on to the next least desirable task or reward yourself with a quick break, and so on.
By the end of the day, when you are losing steam you will be working on things you actually like doing! How’s that for ending the day on a high note.
3. Operate at Inbox Zero.
Another tricky one to implement but if you are anything like me, you receive a couple dozen emails a day. Frankly, it’s overwhelming and you can’t answer all of them as soon as they come in.
Try organizing your emails into folders that you can come back to at a later time. Then take 30 minutes at the end of the day to answer as many email as you can. You don’t need to answer all your emails in one day, and organizing your emails will better help you organize your life. Setting up some spam filters and folders will help separate the important stuff from the useless junk.
4. Get up and walk around.
One of the hardest things to do is to sit at your desk and work all day long, don’t we know it. To increase your productivity one of the best things you can do is get up and walk around, go outside during your lunch hour and recharge, take a yoga class, stretch–all of these things will help you recharge and come back to your desk and be as productive as you can be.
5. Eat frequently and eat well.
What you put into your body is extremely important. Staying hydrated and eating a balanced meal will ensure you are functioning at your best capacity and that you have enough energy to get you through the day. Elizabeth just wrote an article recently on Five Foods That Fight Fatigue During the Workday. It has recipes, too!
At the end of the day making sure you’re productive at work is important and taking these steps will help you increase your productivity and ensure you are happier and healthier during your 9-5.
About the Author
Janine is a tax specialist and personal finance blogger for Calgary, AB. She is actively pursuing her CPA designation while fighting her way to financial freedom. She is the Vice-President External for the not-for-profit Her Success and enjoys sharing her financial knowledge with her peers. When she is not at work or studying Janine enjoys traveling, baking, yoga and ending off the day with a glass of wine.
Website: mypenniesmythoughts.com