50 Productivity Hacks at Work

It can be difficult to know how to stay productive at work, especially if you are working remotely. Thankfully, there are plenty of productivity hacks that can help you stay organized and on-task. In this article, we will provide you with a list of 50 of the best productivity hacks, including productivity hacks for entrepreneurs and strategies for how to be productive working at home.

Typically, there are fewer distractions in the morning. This is why getting into the habit of waking up early can do wonders for your productivity levels. By waking up early and establishing a morning routine, you are more likely to start your workday with a positive mindset.

Typically, there are less distractions in the morning. This is why getting into the habit of waking up early can do wonders for your productivity levels. By waking up early and establishing a morning routine, you are more likely to start your workday with a positive mindset.

Dehydration can cause headaches, fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. So bring a water bottle to work and stay hydrated!

Bring healthy snacks with you to work. Avoid skipping meals or overeating. It can be difficult to focus properly if you’re hungry or too full.

Caffeine can be a great tool to help keep you awake and focused. That said, it’s important to be aware of how much caffeine you drink and try your best not to overdo it.

Getting enough exercise and staying active is crucial, especially if you have a desk job. Not only is it important for your health, but it will also help you be more naturally productive.

One of the keys to being more productive at work — especially if you are trying to figure out how to be productive while working remotely — is to commit to a routine. Routines allow us to plan ahead and use our time productively.

Showing up to work on time is crucial. Try your best to arrive a few minutes early so you can ease into your day. If you are already stressed first thing in the morning, you’ll be less likely to be productive.

Wondering how to stay focused at work? Take short, scheduled breaks. This will help you manage your stress levels and increase your ability to focus.

It’s important to stay active during the day, even if it’s only for a few minutes at a time. Walk around and do some stretches on your break.

Schedule a few fun things to do each week outside of work. Not only will this help you establish a better work/life balance, but it will also be a great source of motivation to get work done during your scheduled working hours. Occasionally, you could benefit from a longer break as well. This is why it’s important to know How to Ask for Time Off of Work.

If you’ve finished a big project or completed a task you’d been previously avoiding, do something nice for yourself to celebrate your success! Remember, rewards can be a great way to keep morale up.

A clean and organized workplace is a productive workplace. Decorate your office so that it feels like an inviting place to be. Keep your desk tidy and organized.

If you’re having a hard time staying focused at work, maybe all you need is a change of scenery! Rearrange your office or find another space to temporarily get work done.

Natural light improves your mood. This is why having good natural lighting in your workspace can improve your overall comfort and productivity levels.

Technology can be difficult to avoid in the workplace, so it’s important to set clear parameters for yourself. Turn off phone notifications and don’t go on social media during the workday. Brainstorm other ways to keep yourself accountable and on-task.

Day planners are a great way to stay organized and keep track of scheduled events and deadlines. They can also help you structure your workdays and know the best way to allot your time.

Start each work day by writing a to-do list for yourself. This will help you reflect on what you need to get done each day and set reasonable goals for yourself.

Get into the habit of prioritizing tasks. Figure out which tasks are most urgent and do those first.

By grouping similar tasks, you’ll be able to get more done. This is because you’ll be able to stay focused for longer.

Large tasks can feel overwhelming and it can be difficult to know where to start. This is why you should break large tasks down into smaller, more manageable tasks. Not only will it be easier to keep track of everything, but it’s also much more satisfying to be able to check off a few items on your to-do list, rather than slowly chip away at one large task.

If a task will take 5 minutes or less, do it right away. This will save you the effort of having to schedule time to do it later.

Look at the clock throughout the day. Keep track of how long various assignments and tasks take you to complete. Not only will this help keep you accountable, but it will also give you a better understanding of how long certain tasks take to complete. This will come in handy when you are scheduling your time.

If you struggle with time management, you may want to consider setting alarms for yourself. If you anticipate a task taking an hour, set a timer and try to hold yourself accountable.

Depending on your job, you may be able to delegate certain tasks. For example, if you’re an entrepreneur and struggle with web design, it might make more sense to hire someone to create your website, rather than try to do it yourself. This will probably save you a lot of time in the long run.

Goals are a great way to measure progress and to keep ourselves accountable. Get into the practice of setting yourself daily, weekly, monthly, and long-term goals. You’ll also want to periodically check in with yourself about your larger career goals.

Deadlines keep us accountable and on track. They also come in handy when we are planning out our daily, weekly, and monthly schedules.

It’s difficult to be productive if you forget key details. This is why you should get into the habit of writing everything down. That way, when the time comes, you’ll know all the relevant details, such as the time and place of a meeting, relevant email addresses, key deadlines, etc.

There are lots of organizational tools available for you to use, such as folders, binders, calendars, highlighters, pencil cases, sticky notes, etc. Try out different tools and systems and see what works best for you!

Use technology to your advantage. Explore speech-to-text, automated emails, work platforms, scheduling apps, etc.

Do your best to create a healthy work/life balance. This often means limiting the amount of work you bring home.

With remote and hybrid work on the rise, it can be difficult to know how to stay productive while working from home. One of the keys to staying productive while working from home is to set working hours for yourself. While remote workers have more flexibility, it’s still important to maintain a predictable schedule.

It’s okay to say no to things. Don’t take on more work than you can reasonably handle. Be realistic and set realistic expectations.

Avoid unnecessary stress by planning ahead and scheduling your days and weeks accordingly.

One of the keys to knowing how to stay focused while working from home is the ability to set personal and professional boundaries. For instance, this might mean not working on the weekends or closing your office door during your set working hours so that you cannot be interrupted.

Teamwork increases a workplace’s overall productivity. So does overall morale. This is why it’s important to establish positive relationships with your coworkers. Read our article, What is a Culture-Fit Workplace? to learn more about the importance of sharing values with your employers and coworkers.

Having a positive workplace culture is crucial, not only for your mental well-being but also for how much work your company can accomplish. Don’t gossip, always strive to be inclusive, practice healthy communication habits, and report incidents of bullying. Check out our article, 5 Signs of a Toxic Work Environment if your company struggles with maintaining a positive work environment.

Sometimes an entire team needs to work on a project. Sometimes, though, independent work is quicker and more productive. It’s important to know when you should prioritize teamwork and when you should work independently.

Having shorter staff meetings can be one of the best productivity hacks for a company. Even if the meeting is only 15 minutes shorter, it will encourage everyone to speak up and share their ideas in a more timely manner.

Professionals who are passionate about their fields tend to be more motivated and productive workers. By engaging in professional development opportunities, you get the chance to increase your skills and meet with other like-minded individuals. This can be great for your sense of morale and motivation. If you’re still searching for your ideal career, check out our article, How to Find a Career You Love: Practical Guide and Tips

Not only will learning a new skill increase your overall skill set, but it will also inspire you to think more creatively and to consider projects from multiple perspectives.

Celebrate your successes! Take a moment at the end of each day to appreciate all the things that you accomplished.

Every career has its challenges. Rather than dwell on your mistakes, acknowledge and reflect on them before moving on

Your physical and mental health should always be your top priorities. Make sure you are prioritizing your well-being by engaging in self-care activities. 

Not everything has to be perfect all of the time. Do the best that you can and forgive yourself for occasional shortcomings.

If you spend a lot of time on the computer at work, it’s probably worth learning some keyboard shortcuts!

Create folders on your desktop and give your documents easily identifiable names.

Depending on your job, you may want to look into setting up automated emails. This could save you a lot of time in the long run!

Reading and writing emails can take up a lot of time. Rather than spend your whole day periodically reading and writing emails, set aside a specific time to check your email. Perhaps checking your email is both your first and last task of the day.

Get into the habit of unsubscribing from email lists and keeping your inbox tidy. Delete emails that aren’t relevant and save ones you may need to refer back to.