Procrastination happens, so we’ve put together a list of our top 5 productivity tips for you. 

Getting yourself in the mood to do some work or finish a project can be challenging, especially if you aren’t in a good mood or you’re tired. But things need to get done. 

Even at the office, getting motivated within working hours can take loads of effort. We aren’t constantly feeling productive or creating, but deadlines are looming. So, what can you do to get back in the swing of things and finish everything by the close of business?

Well, luckily, there are a few tricks and hacks that can get you back in the game and get the ball rolling so that you get through at least a large chunk of your duties. And don’t be scared. Just a few minor lifestyle adjustments can revolutionise your productivity. 

Drink Water

Yes, it is that simple – sort of. Water might not change your life drastically at that very moment, but staying hydrated can help you keep focus and stay awake when you hit that midday slump. Fluids help your circulatory system and get your blood flowing, says Cigna. 

If you have a headache from too much caffeine, fluids can help relieve it. Dehydration also causes weakness and sleepiness. Take a walk in the fresh air and keep your water bottle near to get a quick recharge.

Splashing the water on your face can also give you a jolt of energy and feel refreshing, especially on a hot afternoon. 

Take Proper Breaks

Working hard is essential, but so is getting adequate rest. Your body and mind need time to reset and recharge in order to tackle the next task. 

Whether you are making sure to get the proper amount of sleep at least three times a week or you are taking long enough time away from your desk at the office, rest is important to your mental and physical well-being and in turn, your productivity levels. 

One way people try to cram more work into their workday is by skipping breaks, says Business Degree. But overworking your mind actually reduces productivity. Your mind needs time to wander. A rested brain is critical when it comes to creative problem-solving. Breaks allow you time to move around, get a snack or just have a laid-back chat with a colleague to build morale. 

Just 10 minutes per day of moderate exercise or movement can improve heart function and improve your mental power. It can even help your emotional health, and make you feel less resentment towards your workload.  

Prioritise Tasks

Start with the most important tasks, and work your way down from there. If you get the important stuff out of the way in the morning when you are at your peak freshness, you are more likely to get it out of the way to the best of your ability. 

Then, do the non-essential stuff after. Much of the office day is wasted on non-essential tasks that don’t produce noticeable results. Leave checking emails and admin to the end of the day. That removes the urgency in the last few hours of work.  

Create a priority list of the tasks, rank everything from most to least important and accomplish measurable what you can, starting from the top. And remember, don’t put too much pressure on yourself to finish everything – just make measurable progress to the best quality you can. 

Don’t Accept Unrealistic Deadlines

You can’t always decide when something is due, but when you are asked how long a project will take, don’t try to impress your boss by selling yourself short with timelines. It is better to take longer with a task and really deliver something great than to overpromise and underdeliver. 

Don’t Multitask

Contrary to popular belief, multitasking isn’t more efficient. Your brain is better when it can hyperfocus on one task, complete it, and then move to the next. It can actually run into trouble switching between unrelated tasks. This is because our brains love following patterns. 

Additionally, when multitasking, you’re never fully focused if the tasks you’re doing are too different from each other. It will take you much longer to do each task. You will most likely have to revisit them and tackle errors made in haste or confusion. 

Stay Healthy

Here is an extra yet important tip. There is an old adage that says, “take care of your health, and your health will take care of you”. Eat a balanced and nutritious diet, exercise regularly and make sure to get enough sun and sleep. These are all huge components of having the proper energy and mindset to be as productive as possible. 

When you are sick with the flu or have any illness, you cannot prioritise work. You are the least productive when ill, so make sure to make your health your number one priority so that everything else can fall into place. 

Take care of yourself. If you need expert nutrition advice, why not visit Medical Society and we will point you in the right direction for your health and lifestyle to keep you in tip-top shape to excel!