12 Hacks for Maximum Productivity

It can be hard to stay productive, but never fear, we’ve got some productivity hacks to transform you into the most organised person in the whole office! If you’re someone who struggles to keep working at the same pace throughout the day then these hacks could help you to keep going at 110% all day!

Turn off your phone notifications

At first, this might seem counterintuitive, but we promise there is a method to our madness. You might think that your phone’s constant buzzing is helping you to keep on top of it all, but this is not true. Your phone is tearing you away from your work and therefore is ruining your workflow, so rather than getting more done, you’re wasting time. Instead of keeping your notifications on all day, designate sometime in the morning to deal with life admin, it might be booking an appointment, answering emails, or checking your calendar. Once this is done, turn your notifications off and you can work in peace and will find your productivity soars.

Try and walk to work

What would you rather, a terrible journey squashed into a boiling hot train like a sardine or a gentle stroll through the city? We know which we’d prefer. Not only will you avoid the dreaded tube, but you’ll be getting some much-needed exercise in. Exercising in the morning is proven to increase productivity, improve mood, and keep your energy levels up. As well as this, instead of staring blankly at a newspaper or screen, you can use the time to clear your mind, think about the day ahead, and generally enjoy life.

Embrace the tea break

A lovely cup of tea, a biscuit, and 5 minutes of bliss is all you need. But, whatever your idea of a break is, make sure you take them regularly. We all wish we could be superhuman, but we simply can’t, so we have to accommodate, which is where the 5-minute break truly comes into its own. A half-hourly break will improve your overall productivity for many reasons. First of all, it allows you to reset, restore, and refresh, so that when you come back to the screen you are ready to keep working hard. Secondly, it gives your eyes a much-needed rest from the computer screen, which is essential for eye health. Too much time in front of a screen can cause migraines, headaches, and eye problems. Additionally, a break will give you the chance to get up and move about, and doing this regularly is crucial, and will prevent back problems and deep vein thrombosis. So go and get a biscuit and start your breaks now, quick!

Keep hydrated

We’re hoping this is pretty self-explanatory, and everyone should aim to drink plenty of water. Keep a bottle of water on your desk and aim to have it empty by lunchtime, and then repeat this after lunch. This not only improves your focus and productivity, but it is also essential for the functioning of your body and is good for your skin. So get sipping!

Eat a good breakfast

What constitutes a ‘good’ breakfast we hear you ask? We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so you should prioritise breakfast in the morning. Try and stick to things like porridge, eggs, or muesli, as they contain slow-release carbs, which will keep you going until lunch. In addition, try and eat some fruit to give yourself a boost of vitamins and nutrients to get the day going. Contrary to popular belief, an apple is the best thing to wake you up in the morning and will provide a boost of energy.

Have a good night’s sleep

This is completely obvious and we would never try to patronise you, but, people neglect sleep, and it is so important to get a good night’s rest. The key is not how much sleep you get, it’s the quality of the sleep, so make sure that at least half an hour before you hit the sack you switch off any screens, turn off notifications, and read a book. Failing that, make sure that your screen is on a setting that filters out blue light, as it will keep you awake and prevent sleep (even after you stop looking at it). It is also good to eliminate natural light, so get a good black-out blind, and there’s no excuse as you can even use tin foil to do this!

De-clutter your workspace

A tidy desk is a tidy mind! Keeping everything clean, organised, and tidy is essential, as it will eliminate distractions and keep your attention focused on work.

Get a desk calendar

This is such a great way to keep on track and it won’t overwhelm you with too much information. You can note down important dates, jot down reminders, and generally stay organised.

If you have trouble staying organised then consider our fantastically useful  Certificate in Organising and Efficiency Skills Training – Level 2, which will provide you with amazing time management and organisation skills.