Many of us get to the end of our workday or try to cram in overtime while feeling that we didn’t accomplish everything on our list.
It’s common to start with a goal or game plan for the day and then to discover at the end of the day that we didn’t finish the things that we needed to and that our list is longer than ever.
If you’re struggling with productivity, there are some practical ways to help you manage your time.
Several of the best strategies to structure your day can include quitting multitasking, working in short, timed bursts, taking breaks even when you’re busy, minimizing interruptions from people, social media, and email alerts, or even taking a supplement to increase your brainpower.
Discover these top 3 tips to work smarter instead of harder and boost your workflow productivity.
1. Stopping Multitasking
When you’re swamped with work coming at you from every angle, it’s tempting to try to do several small tasks at the same time. While it seems like a breeze to do this in theory, it doesn’t work in practice.
We grow up thinking that multitasking is a great tool to get more done. Instead, we lose time and productivity while juggling too much.
According to a recent neuroscience study, it’s not humanly possible to multitask.
While you might think that you can eat lunch, take a phone call, and work on a presentation at the same time, this isn’t an effective way to get anything done.
It’s especially tempting to multitask when our calendar is full of big projects and to-do lists. The first thing to do is to break a big project up and organize it into small tasks that you can tackle more easily.
Instead of jotting down an ambitious “finish project” for the day, get specific and write down the individual steps that it will take to complete a big project.
Then, take the time to focus on each individual task before heading on to the next one. Committing to one task at a time will help keep you on track to finish it faster and more effectively.
2. Reducing Interruptions
When another notification pops up on your phone or email or if a colleague strolls into your office to chat, it might not seem like a big deal.
But even a short interruption can throw our work patterns off track. Productivity can drop since it often takes a while to get back into a work groove after an interruption.
If you want to increase your work productivity, take a step back to evaluate the things that are draining your time and slowing your workflow.
Keep in mind that it’s not about cramming more onto your calendar or putting in more hours at the office. Instead, it’s about finding ways to work smarter in less time.
If you work in an office, consider reducing these productivity-killing interruptions by shutting your office door, setting work hours, or even working remotely when you’re hustling to finish a big project, a complex task, or a time-sensitive job.
Whether you work in an office or from home, you can turn off your phone, commit to avoiding social media or other time traps for the space of time you need to complete the project and turn off all external notifications except for work messages and emails.
It’s also important to prioritize important projects or deadlines over emails that can wait.
Research shows that being proactive rather than reactive to work interruptions can boost both happiness and productivity at work.
3. Using Supplements
All the best productivity strategies in the world may not work if you’re exhausted and burned out.
One of the best ways to increase productivity, besides prioritizing sleep and taking care of yourself, is to consider taking a supplement that supports your overall health.
For example, if you’re experiencing stress, fatigue, and burnout, try a supplement that contains B vitamins, energizing herbs, or a supplement formula that helps reduce cortisol (the stress hormone) and supports your adrenal glands.
Boost your brain power with scientifically formulated natural nootropics that include caffeine, fish oil, resveratrol, creatine, or Ginkgo Biloba.
When you feel better, you’re more able to organize your schedule, reduce interruptions, and break down tasks into smaller sections for optimal productivity results.
You’ll be able to find a wide variety of these supplements at any online supplement store.
Final Thoughts
Once you’ve set your workday productivity expectations and strategies, the next thing to do is to implement them to the best of your ability.
One key thing to keep in mind is that every day may not be perfect because things often happen that are outside of our control.
That’s why it’s best to give yourself some grace when things don’t go the way that you plan, step back, take a breather, and then reset your productivity plans to the best of your ability.
The most important thing is to make even some small progress toward your productivity goals every day.