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From limiting multitasking to optimizing your workspace, these 10 productivity hacks will help you knock out your to-do lists and work smarter.

Staying productive and energized is one of life's greatest challenges. When we feel sluggish in the morning or hit the midday slump, many of us prescribe ourselves a cup of coffee yet still need to tell ourselves a pep talk to push through the rest of the day.

If you’re struggling to finish work on time, you just need a better system for fighting procrastination and becoming the highly productive go-getter you’ve always wanted to be. If you want to knock out your to-do list every single day, it’s time to rip off your Band-aid solutions and start using productivity hacks that actually work. Here’s what you need to know to save time and work more efficiently.

Productivity isn’t about pushing through the pain. If you want to stay on task without risking burnout, you need tips and tools that can help you work smarter, not harder. Implement these expert-backed productivity hacks to start feeling like you’re flying through your work days instead of drowning in tasks.

### **1. Prioritize Your Most Important Tasks**

Have you ever gone through your work day with the nagging feeling that you’ll never finish your tasks? When your to-do list is too lengthy, it can leave you too stressed to work efficiently. 

To keep yourself in the right mindset to get things done, jot down three important tasks you need to focus on before you start work each work day.

Author Stephen Covey popularized the [Eisenhower Matrix](https://www.productplan.com/glossary/eisenhower-matrix/) as a method of prioritizing tasks. It breaks up your to-do list into four quadrants:

* **Quadrant 1:** Urgent and important tasks
* **Quadrant 2:** Important, not urgent tasks
* **Quadrant 3:** Urgent, not important tasks
* **Quadrant 4:** Not urgent or important tasks

Your three priority tasks for each day should be drawn from Quadrant 1 first, while Quadrant 2 tasks should be scheduled for later. Tasks in Quadrant 3 should be delegated to others (employees, virtual assistants, contractors, etc.), while tasks in Quadrant 4 shouldn’t be completed at all.

Once you prioritize your tasks, you’ve got the perfect game plan for your day. If you want to execute it well, you need to stop multitasking and start focusing on a single task at a time. 

While doing two things at once may feel like a productivity hack in itself, many studies have shown that productivity makes us[less efficient and more error-prone](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/science-clear-multitasking-doesnt-work/). Avoid shifting gears until you’re 100% done with a task.

Working eight hours straight may make you feel like you’re swimming past your competitors, but taking short breaks can actually save you time. Breaking up the monotony of your work day with enjoyable breaks can refresh your mind and incentivize you to stay focused on your tasks.

The [Pomodoro Technique](https://francescocirillo.com/pages/pomodoro-technique), developed by software industry leader Francesco Cirillo, suggests taking these simple steps to boost your productivity:

1. Focus on a task for 25 minutes.
2. Take a five-minute break.
3. Repeat the steps above three times.
4. Take a longer 15- to 30-minute break before starting the cycle again.

Consider using your short breaks for self-care activities like yoga, reading, napping, or walking your dog to feel extra rejuvenated.

Coined by David Allen in the book “Getting Things Done,” the two-minute rule for productivity is simple: “If it takes less than two minutes, then do it now.”

Simple tasks that take a miniscule amount of time, like sending an email, should never be put off. Committing to this productivity hack helps you break your procrastination habits, [succeed in your career](https://www.cutsclothing.com/articles/sport-of-business-podcast-04), and ensure the little tasks never pile up.

Have you ever wondered why you work better at coworking spaces and cafes than on your living room couch? It’s a blend of ambiance and a clean desk setup.

In order to be conducive to your productivity, your workspace should be well-lit and clutter-free, with the items you’re using most within reach. Ergonomic chairs and eye-level monitors can keep you concentrate on work instead of back and neck pains, while classical music or coffee shop sounds can heighten your focus. If you work from home, have a dedicated workspace and (if possible) an office with a door.

If you’re constantly checking social media notifications or refreshing your personal email “just in case,” you’re probably wasting a lot of time. With productivity tools like[ Freedom](https://freedom.to/) and[ Limit](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/limit-set-limits-for-dist/blcdfhbibkkjpfdddnmnmhfgjlicebba?hl=en&gl=US&authuser=0), you can block or limit your time on websites that are eating away at your efficiency. You’ll have fewer distractions to worry about when you need to keep your head in the game the most.

A sense of purpose can motivate any professional. When employees know their company’s mission and see the importance of their role, their[ quality of work increases](https://www.gallup.com/workplace/329303/productivity-priority-overload-steps-leaders.aspx) while absenteeism drops. Take a moment to reflect on your company mission, vision, and purpose to determine how your work contributes to those long-term goals.

Time management and productivity go hand in hand, but you can’t manage your time unless you know how you’re spending it. Productivity apps like[ Toggl](https://toggl.com/) and[ Clockify](https://clockify.me/) help you track how long you spend on specific tasks, so you can identify and eliminate the bottlenecks in your workflows.

If you’re managing a team, you can also see how your employees are spending their time. This can help you evenly delegate tasks, instead of pushing too much work on one person, so everyone can up their performance.

You’ve probably heard the phrase “The early bird gets the worm.” There’s plenty of truth behind the idiom. Sleep inertia, which causes us to feel groggy and unfocused in the mornings, can[ last for up to an hour](https://www.healthline.com/health/sleep/how-to-deal-with-sleep-inertia), which means late risers have less time to wake up and feel prepared for work. Getting out of bed an hour before you need to jump on your laptop or start your commute is a highly effective productivity hack for reducing wasted time.

# **10. Turn Off Work When Your Work Day Ends**

If you’re stressing about your work all day, every day, you risk burnout, which can be far harder on your productivity than an innocent snack break. Make sure you completely log out of work mode (and communication platforms) when you’re officially off duty.  

While you may not work a traditional 9-to-5 if you’re an entrepreneur or freelancer, it’s still important to set specific times and dates for your job. 

Spend your personal time relaxing and refreshing your mind — and don’t forget to take a vacation when you need an extended break.

# **Bonus Productivity Hack: Dress for the Sport of Business**

Just like a good basketball game, productivity involves equal parts strategy and skill. Great productivity hacks can help you keep your head in the game by handling your most crucial tasks first, avoiding your biggest distractions, and checking more tasks off your to-do list than ever before.

When you look good, you feel good — and when you feel good, you’re primed to perform at your best. Choosing the right uniform for the Sport of Business is just as important for shaping your productivity. Modern professionals need apparel that feels functional and sophisticated, without a suit and tie. CUTS offers premium apparel that’s meticulously crafted to help you perform your best on any given day.[Check out our bestsellers](https://www.cutsclothing.com/collections/bestsellers) to choose your next workleisure outfit and [visit our blog](https://www.cutsclothing.com/blogs/blog) for more productivity tips to boost your work performance.

10 Best Productivity Hacks

1. Prioritize Your Most Important Tasks

2. Stop Multitasking

3. Take Regular Short Breaks

4. Commit to the Two-Minute Rule

5. Design a Productive Workspace

6. Set up a Website Blocker

7. Understand Your Purpose

8. Track Your Time

9. Wake Up Early

10. Turn Off Work When Your Work Day Ends

Bonus Productivity Hack: Dress for the Sport of Business