In a world of many distractions, it’s easy to get bogged down at work and feel like you never get anything done.

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So here are 9 habits you can start today to become more productive at work: 

Quit Multitasking

Many fall into the trap of thinking that multitasking will help them work faster. But the truth is that it actually slows you down. Constantly switching from one task to another never allows you to fully concentrate on anything and ends up killing your productivity.

So instead of trying to do everything at once, give your full attention to one thing at a time. You’ll get more done and your work will be of higher quality.

Delegate

There are only so many hours in a day. So delegate smaller tasks where you can. This frees up your workload and allows you to focus on whatever you do best. 

If you’re a landlord, for example, you can hire a property manager to manage your tenants and rental property. Or, if you need to promote an event, you can hire a graphic designer to create a poster. Find freelancers on platforms like Fiverr to do the job for as little as $5. 

Eliminate Distractions

It’s easy to get distracted from work when social media, texts, phone calls, and coworkers all vie for your attention. So set aside periods of time where these distractions aren’t around.

Put your smartphone in another room, close your email, and put up a “do not disturb” notice. You can return to these once your time for deep focus is over.

Follow The 2-Minute Rule

Anytime you get a work assignment that takes 2 minutes or less, do it immediately. This is called the 2-minute rule. 

Tackling a short task on the spot rather than scheduling it for later is actually a more efficient use of time. It eliminates the hassle of writing the task down and the risk of it falling through the cracks. 

So if it only takes 2 minutes, take a quick break from your other work to get it done—which brings us to our next point.

Take Breaks

Take regular breaks to recharge your body and mind. If you don’t take time to rest, you’ll eventually burn out and need to take time to recover.

One way to ensure you take breaks is to set a timer. For example, you can follow the Pomodoro method, which has you work in 25-minute increments separated by short 5-minute breaks and occasional longer 15-minute breaks. 

During your breaks, get on your feet and walk around. Do some quick exercises to get your muscles moving and your blood flowing. This helps boost your mood and enhances your brain function throughout the day.

Do The Heavy Lifting First

It’s tempting to put off big projects. But tackling the big stuff first thing when you have the most energy is more efficient. If it waits till the end of the day, you’re more likely to never get it done. Reserve your mornings for your biggest assignments and get to the smaller tasks later. Then if you don’t get to everything, you’ll at least have gotten the most important tasks done.

Set Small Goals Throughout The Day

We often procrastinate work because it feels daunting or overwhelming. To fight this, break up your work into smaller steps. Then cross each step off as you complete it. This gives you a sense of progress that will help motivate you to get through to the end.

Make A To-Do List Each Night

Speaking of checklists, make a to-do list each night before you go to bed for the next day. This way, you don’t waste time in the morning deciding what to work on. You already have it in front of you. Also, to keep the to-do list manageable, only write down the most important goals for the day.

Stay Healthy

Lastly, stay healthy. This will give you more energy and concentration throughout the day. Sleep for at least 7 hours each night, exercise daily, drink at least 10 cups of water per day, and keep a balanced and healthy diet. In the long run, you’ll feel and perform better.

Final Word

Becoming more productive at work is a lifelong challenge. But if you follow these tips, you’ll improve much faster. So choose one to start and see how it helps!

As you see yourself accomplish more in less time, you’ll be more motivated to work harder and harder.