1. Stay away from the TV 

With OTTs tempting us with a never-ending list of new releases, it sounds fun to sit in front of the TV and work watching the latest releases. But only later do we realize that the result would be an absolute disaster. During work hours, stay away from TV, focus on the work and wrap it off fast. Instead, save the TV watching to the weekends or after work hours.

2. Bid adieu to multi-tasking

“I am a multi tasker!” sounds great to hear. In reality, the trait can often kill productivity. Multi-tasking is an absolute misnomer in the list of productivity hacks. Instead, focus on one task at a time. A task in the hand is worth two in the list. Complete it first before you move on to the next. Implement single-tasking and enjoy a spike in productivity.

3. Delegate and outsource

Before trying to up your productivity game, it is crucial to learn the power of delegation and outsourcing. Delegate works to your peers and team members as and where possible. Likewise, outsource your works at home to grab enough time to focus on office work and maximize productivity.

4. Set time for non-work related tasks

During work hours, make everything else wait. Whether it is social media or phone messages, set separate time to deal with non-work-related tasks. One easy to implement productivity tip would be: Do not save social media passwords on your office laptop. This way you won’t log in frequently and waste time on it.

5. Procrastinate procrastination

Tomorrow never comes. And we mean it! Stop procrastination at work. The tasks you postpone can pile up and cause an extra burden on yourself later on. Instead, as we saw just a while ago, prioritize, set healthy deadlines and complete the tasks one by one.

6. Monitor your sanity

Staying sane is what everyone must focus on seriously. With juggling between family and work taking a toll on mental health, it is equally important that we make every effort to stay sane. Monitor your workload. Check if you are on the verge of burnout. Take breaks and enjoy me-time and get back to work. Good sanity is the best productivity hack for employees.

7. Get up early

Most of us may be night owls, but getting up early is an evergreen productivity hack for professionals. Our mind works fast and sharp in the fresh hours of the day rather than in the late night. Hence, wake up at least an hour early than you do daily and start your day. Getting up early lets you complete the work faster with boosted energy levels and maximize productivity.

8. Make it clear to family

With remote work on the rise and everyone one wearing multiple hats, delineating the work and home is emerging into a greater challenge. Strictly shun yourself away from family-based distractions for a couple of hours to maximize productivity. Explain the necessity for an undisturbed work environment for your family. Request them not to knock when you are working. 

9. Make things simple

Now that we are discussing productivity hacks for professionals, you might be tempted to try your hand with productivity apps and tools. A gentle reminder here is – relying too much technology can be counter-productive. Make things simple. Wherever things work with pen and paper, do them so. Likewise, keep communication amongst team members straight and smooth. 

10. Declutter and organize home

Your productivity levels and clutter in the house are indirectly related. It can be annoying to work amidst clutter as it spreads negative energy and distracts our attention. Use the weekend productively to declutter and clean the home. Invite fresh energy and cheery vibes by adding some greenery that can help to maximize productivity.

11. Prioritize and execute

The list of tasks can seem daunting at first glance. Your energy levels may fall looking at the piling up to-dos. To win over this, prioritize the tasks. Start working on them based on urgency and criticality. Strike off one by one task as and when you complete it. Treat yourself to something nice when you do so. (A small bite of dark chocolate is not a guilty indulgence!)

12. Organize passwords

Passwords can consume time if you lose track. Save time and maximize productivity by organizing passwords. Try online tools that accomplish the same. Autosave feature can be a great option too. Additionally, write down passwords in a small notepad (since you are working from home, and any mishap to your laptop can mean loss of passwords and hamper work) and save it somewhere safe.

13. Set healthy deadlines

Remote work can be demotivating without any doubt. The lack of collaboration and peer presence can make the work dull. Beat this boredom by setting healthy deadlines. Set a time frame for every deliverable from your side and stick to them. This way, even if you lack the enthusiasm to work for some time, you will bounce back at least to meet the deadline

14. Encourage productive meetings

Managers may not like this, but most meetings are not necessary. And studies support the same. Inc. suggests that – “Sometimes deciding not to hold a meeting may be the best use of everyone’s valuable time.”  Instead of staying on zoom for hours together just for the sake of it, try sending emails. It saves hours for everyone on the team.

15. Save your ideas

Ideas are really weird. They strike at the most irrelevant moment. Like gardening, cooking, walking, observing, or even in a shower. And guess what? It is healthy and natural too. Do you know that the idea of Harry Potter occurred to J.K. Rowling while waiting for a delayed train? Hence, make an arrangement to save ideas as and when they strike your busy mind. Keep a notepad and pen ready on your homework table. You could even try sticking notes to your refrigerator.

16. Try Pomodoro Technique

Unless you are an AI-powered humanoid, remember that you are human and will have focus issues.  To beat the issues with attention span, try Pomodoro Technique – one of the experts suggested productivity hacks. It says humans cannot concentrate for longer periods. Hence, the technique suggests humans work for 25 minutes and then take a break for 5 minutes.

17. Create a motivating workspace

Your TV couch or bedroom cot never makes the ideal workspace. Why? Besides being not ergonomic, such places can lead to distractions and drift your focus away from work. Set up an ergonomic workspace. Invest in a quality work-from-home setup. Choose a silent, no distraction zone in your home. Bonus if it has natural ventilation and greenery.  Stick motivating posters and use desk décor that recreates the office environment.

18. Follow Time Blocking

Ever heard of time blocking?  Time blocking is tested and tried productivity hack for professionals. Time blocking is a time management principle that suggests devoting a specified time for a specific task. For instance, you are a recruiter and juggle multiple tasks in a day. Use the first two hours to search for candidates, the next two to talk to the candidates, the latter two to send out emails, and the last two hours to team collaboration and communication.

19. Remember it’s okay to say ‘No’

Collaboration is a good thing. Till it doesn’t burden you. Schedule some time in the week to help colleagues and peers. Use other hours for your work productivity. If they approach for help, politely tell them that you would check it out as per the set schedule. It might be tempting to take up too much work of others to showcase as a team player. But it sounds no fun beyond a limit.

20. Believe in the power of planning

As Dwight D. Eisenhower puts it – Plans are nothing; planning is everything. Create a task list well ahead to gain clarity for your day-to-day work. A planner serves as a reminder and saves time. Schedule a monthly work plan, if possible, or a weekly plan without a miss. Use the last days of the month to plan for the upcoming one. Spend the last working hour of Friday to plan for the next week.