10 Productivity Hacks Guaranteed to Boost Your Efficiency

Are you in a constant race against time?

Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. Rushing from point A to point B has become a normal routine for so many of us, while we’re constantly being distracted by smartphones, pop-up apps, your never-ending list of tasks etc.

I think we’re all familiar with the saying, “don’t be busy, be productive”. It’s important to evaluate what causes distraction, in order to limit your buzyness and increase your productivity.

As someone that works from home I will admit, it took a great deal of experimentation and energy to find the right combination of productivity hacks. But it has all paid off in the end.

Now I feel confident enough to share these tried-and-true productivity tips that have boosted my productivity by tenfold.

Let’s get started!

1. Wake up earlier

As a night owl myself I literally cringed at the thought of waking up early. But I was willing to give it a try if it promised to increase my productivity.

Yes, it was hard at first, but after a pep-talk with myself, I set the alarm earlier, as planned.

The secret is to make this routine change gradually. I set my alarm earlier each week and after a few weeks my internal clock was all set.

Being awake early means you can get your most important tasks done before anyone demands bits and pieces of your time.

2. Build up your energy first thing in the morning

Start your day with a pen and paper. Jot down:

• your personal goals,
• your life purpose,
• 5 things you are grateful for

Planning will remind yourself why you’re doing what you’re doing and you will be more goal-oriented and focused throughout your day.

You might also be interested in: How To Build A Morning Routine In Two Easy Steps

3. Tackle high-priority tasks first

Research suggests that attending to easier tasks first may offer a short-term sense of fulfillment, but it could negatively impact your long-term productivity.

So go ahead and tackle must-do’s as early in your day as possible. This way you can avoid stressful days of scrambling to meet high-priority deadlines, and you might just have extra time to tie up loose ends.

4. Restrict social media usage 

Yep, we all know slippery slope social media can be. One minute you’re checking your Facebook or Instagram, and 2 hours later you’re still mindlessly scrolling through your timeline.

Social media has its benefits but it can be a real time-waster if you don’t learn to control it.

Limit your social media usage when high-priority tasks are due. Better yet, mute your notifications or hide your pop-ups… hide your smartphone. Do whatever it takes to avoid distraction.

5. Schedule a specific time for emails

Are you one of those people who always have their email app open in the background?

Most people fall into this trap. Naturally, whenever you receive a new email notification, you will be curious to read it and reply. But when you receive 20 notifications every hour, this time can add up to a couple of hours.

Schedule a specific time for checking and replying to your emails twice a day to avoid any distractions throughout your day.

6. Activate your brain with music

Turns out singing, especially in the morning, has loads of mental and physical health benefits.

Science has proven that your brain releases both endorphins and oxytocin when you sing. It simultaneously enhances your sense of pleasure while relieving anxiety and stress. We also tend to focus better when we feel happy.

Put on your favorite tunes and turn those negative feelings around!

7. Let in a lot of natural light

This is one of the easiest productivity hacks out there. Simply let in more natural light!

Yep, this study shows that more exposure to natural light instead of artificial light increases productivity and alertness.

If you can, move to a window that lets in plentiful natural light. A cracked window for fresh air would also be ideal.

You might also be interested in: Boost Your Work Efficiency With These 5 Workspace Tips

8. Try the Pomodoro Technique

Do you struggle with staying focused on a task long enough to finish it? This time management technique might be just what you need.

The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method that involves a timer to break down work into intervals of 25 minutes, and separated by 5 minute breaks.

The aim is to give you maximum focus that will help you complete tasks faster with less mental fatigue.

9. Limit your screen time before bed

Having this rule in your life will drastically increase the quality of your sleep and allow you to be more productive the next day. But if your work involves being active on your devices before bed, you should know that the blue light emitted by your devices can alter your brain’s ability to feel tired.

The solution is to block the blue light completely with blue light blocking glasses, so you can have the rest you deserve to wake up refreshed.

You might also be interested in: Digital Eye Strain Explained

10. Get a good night’s rest

This is probably one of the most obvious productivity hacks, but I felt it’s important to remind you that a good night’s rest will naturally boost your efficiency. Not only will you feel refreshed and ready to tackle the day, but your overall mood will also be elevated.

You might wonder. How can you get the best quality sleep in-between late nights and constant screen exposure? We have found an easy and effective solution to improve your sleep without having to overhaul yourself. This equals better sleep better life!

Here are some additional evening routine ideas to include in your lifestyle for a better workday.

These are very simple and effective productivity hacks that can boost your efficiency tremendously. Give them a try and let us know how they have enhanced your overall productivity.

Here’s an extra tip for you: Try these Sound Blocking Ear Plugs to restrict both distracting noise while you work and sleep. So get yours now and become the superhuman you want to be!

What are your hacks that you have found to work? Share your secrets below!

Also, visit our collection of deep sleep products.