Many work days follow a similar format. You begin work with energy, ready to be productive. Then, as time passes, you lose a bit of your momentum. A meal or caffeinated beverage may perk you back up, only for the mid-afternoon slump to take over. From there, your energy wanes as you crawl your way to the day’s end.
Sound familiar? You’re not alone. This routine is common, but that doesn’t mean it has to be par for the course. Put these tips into place to power through your work with energy and say goodbye to declining productivity.
1. Make Nutrition Impactful and Convenient
It’s no secret that what you eat impacts your overall health and well-being. That includes how you feel about your work day. So, finding ways to get the sustenance you need without sacrificing substantial time is important. It doesn’t have to be overly complicated, either. A few simple swaps can make all the difference.
Your go-to fruit smoothie can be beefed up by adding protein powder to feel full for longer. A caffeinated green drink, instead of a cold brew, provides more health benefits while still providing an energy boost. Simple swaps and healthy additions fuel your body and ensure it gets what it needs to thrive. That directly impacts your mental clarity, energy levels, and ability to focus. From there, you’re able to better stay on task. When you’re fueling yourself correctly, you won’t just get through the work day, you’ll conquer it.
2. Take Breaks
It may sound obvious, but taking breaks is one of the best ways to make the most of your work day. Without any stoppages in work, your mind may become restless and more likely to drift off. So, stepping away from the tasks you’re focusing on can help you be more productive while also speeding up the day.
How the breaks are structured and what you do during them is entirely up to you. If the weather is nice, go for a walk outside to get some fresh air. If you work from home, knocking out a household chore — like unloading the dishwasher — could be exactly what you need. Of course, breaks aren’t always going to be an option, especially busy days may make it hard. Find little pockets of time — like five minutes — to come up for air. Then, you can get right back to it.
Keep in mind that achieving a good night’s sleep is crucial for focus and overall health. If you find yourself struggling to take breaks throughout the day, consider incorporating a relaxing bedtime routine to ensure you’re getting enough sleep at night. Deep sleep gummies may be a natural option to explore if you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. That said, it’s always best to consult with a doctor before starting any new sleep aid.
3. Limit Distractions
Days when you’re working but can’t seem to get anything done are frustrating. But when you’re honest with yourself, your productivity is probably lacking because of distractions. Your phone is buzzing, you need to schedule that appointment, and your dog is barking endlessly. It’s no wonder you can’t get anything done! That’s why taking time to limit distractions plaguing your ability to work is so important.
Everyone, no matter how skilled or hardworking, has their distraction vice. So, it’s important to identify what yours may be and take action to reduce its impact. If social media sucks you in, put your phone on do not disturb or in another room while you work. If you get caught up in office chats, set intentional focus time so your coworkers know not to message you for the next hour.
Creating barriers between you and the sources of your distractions helps improve your ability to focus. You’ll get more work done and feel on top of your responsibilities. Then, before you know it, your distraction-free work day will come to a close, and your to-do list will be complete.
4. Find Your Productivity Hours
Some people can wake up at 5:00 a.m. and start working unfazed. Others are night owls burning the midnight oil to finish an assignment due the next day. Both can be effective ways to work; it’s just at different times of the day. Your approach to work should follow a similar pattern each day/night.
If you wake up with energy, block time to get your focused work knocked out first thing. Then, as the day goes on and you slowly lose steam, you’ll have the hardest work already completed. If you’re sluggish in the morning but find yourself energized in the afternoon, do the opposite. Ease into your day with meetings or simple tasks — like replying to emails — leaving the more hard-hitting work for later on. That way, when you’re at your best, you’re in the right headspace to complete the most.
Once you’re in tune with your hours of highest productivity, you’re in control of your day. You know that whichever side of the coin you’re on, you’ll have dedicated work time to knock tasks out. With each task you complete, you’ll slowly but surely gain confidence. And that’s the perfect recipe for powering through the day.
End on a High Note
As much as you may want, every work day can’t be your most productive ever. Sometimes, you’ll need a bit of a boost to stay on top of everything going on. That’s why creating solid, productivity-inducing habits now is your best strategy. That way, you’ll be in good shape no matter if you wake up energized or are repeatedly pressing snooze.
