Get All Access for $5/mo

7 Simple Tips to Boost Your Productivity at Work Lagging lately? It's time to whip that daily schedule of yours into shape.

By Kristin Marquet Edited by Dan Bova

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Productivity is critical to your success at work. Business owners, managers and executives all want to get the most from their employees. If you're not performing as efficiently or effectively as others, your long-term job prospects could be in trouble.

Related: 5 Ways to Make Your Employees Happier and More Productive

If you're recognizing yourself here, if you're not accomplishing enough throughout the day, consider how you allocate your time. To get more done at work (and have more time to spend doing what you love), consider these seven simple tips to increase productivity:

1. Set your schedule for the next day the night before you leave the office.

Prioritize which tasks need to be completed. Even if you are interrupted by unexpected assignments or emergencies, you'll know exactly what needs to be done when you return to your desk. Not only will a schedule help keep you organized and focused, you'll get the satisfaction of crossing items off your "to do" list once you complete them.

2. Take a five-to-10 minute break whenever you feel mentally fatigued.

Take a short walk down the hall to the water cooler, or even across the street for a cup of coffee. Brief interludes from work can actually increase your productivity by getting your blood flowing and allowing you to return to your work with fresh eyes.

Related: To Improve Productivity Tell Your Team to Go Take a Hike

3. Reduce your multi-tasking.

Although multi-tasking is currently in vogue, trying to accomplish more than one task at a time can actually be more harmful than helpful. Studies have shown that people who try to do two or more activities at once end up becoming distracted, and the quality of their work suffers. Focus on one task at a time, complete it properly and move on to the next project.

4. Eliminate potential distractions.

Although interruptions during the workday are inevitable, minimize them to the extent possible. If you have an office with a door, keep it closed. When a co-worker is looking to shoot the breeze, let him or her know that you're trying to finish a project, but would be happy to chat later. (Just be sure not to brush off any of your superiors.)

5. Impose deadlines on yourself, and stick to them.

As you would with a financial budget, budget your time to help you meet deadlines faster. Some people who thrive under deadlines even deliberately shorten their workday by 15 minutes to ensure optimum efficiency.

6. Avoid large, heavy lunches that will leave you feeling fatigued.

Instead, snack on foods high in protein, fiber and antioxidants throughout the day. Granola and berries will keep you full and focused. Sugary foods and energy drinks keep you going only for a short time, and the inevitable "crash" may turn you into a zombie and ruin your ability to work for the rest of the day.

7. Keep your workspace clean and clear of clutter.

As the old saying goes, "A cluttered desk is a symptom of a cluttered mind." The time you spend looking for misplaced papers each day is extra time you could be using to complete your work. Likewise, there are apps to assist you in categorizing and electronically organizing your email inbox. Imagine the time you could save by no longer searching for hard-to-find emails!

Related: 6 Life Hacks Learned in Prison That Will Maximize Your Productivity

Kristin Marquet

Publicist, Business Owner, Author

Kristin Marquet has 13 years of PR, branding, and integrated marketing experience. She serves as the creative director of Creative Development Agency, a full-service lifestyle public relations and analytics firm in New York.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Marketing

6 Steps to a Simple and Effective Content Strategy

Strategy can be an intimidating word, but it doesn't have to be. Follow these simple guidelines to make sure your next piece of content — and every one thereafter — rings true to your brand.

Growing a Business

How to Build, Grow and Make Money With Ecommerce

To grow your online business, you need to develop a strategy and invest your time wisely. These actionable tips can attract customers and increase online revenue.

Side Hustle

'Hustling Every Day': These Friends Started a Side Hustle With $2,500 Each — It 'Snowballed' to Over $500,000 and Became a Multimillion-Dollar Brand

Paris Emily Nicholson and Saskia Teje Jenkins had a 2020 brainstorm session that led to a lucrative business.

Business Solutions

Why Aren't More Business Owners Using This $18 App?

Turn complex data into convincing visuals with Microsoft Visio Pro.

Employee Experience & Recruiting

There's a Growing Demand For This New Type of Professional — Here's Why Your Startup Needs Them, Too.

As startups evolve, a new breed of talent — the "boulder climber" — is emerging: adaptable professionals who balance strategic vision with hands-on execution. Learn why these versatile hires are redefining success in lean, agile teams.

Business News

'I'm Shocked': Costco Customers Are Freaking Out About a Change to a Beloved Bakery Item

Costco customers are feeling burnt by a not-so-sweet switcheroo in the bakery department.