Do you find yourself with an endless amount of tasks to fit into a small amount of time? Whilst there certainly aren’t enough hours in the day for many of us, there are also lots of ways we could cut out time-wasting habits, and focus on the task at hand. Most of the time we don’t even realise that the way we are doing things simply isn’t working for us, and we carry on out of habit or duty, but it only takes a few simple changes to boost productivity.

Here are a few ideas you might like to incorporate into your day, to hopefully boost your output.

Step away from the phone

We are all a little too addicted to our phones these days, whether that be checking Facebook, Twitter, or constantly checking for emails. Set yourself a time when you check your phone for such things, i.e. lunchtime or after work, and don’t check your emails constantly. If you need to see when an important email comes in, set up an alert for it, so you will know when it arrives without having to check. We waste a considerable amount of time constantly checking for such things, when we could be doing other tasks.

Write lists

If you have a head full of tasks you need to do, you’re only going to get stressed trying to remember them all. Writing lists might be the way of old, but it’s a hugely successful way to make sure you get everything done, and there is a real sense of achievement in ticking items off that list.

Prioritise and stop multi-tasking!

We all know that prioritising important tasks over less important ones is the way to meet deadlines, but how often do you find yourself doing about four tasks all at one time? Focus on one task and complete it, before moving onto another, and you will not only tick items off that to-do list, but you will meet your deadlines too.

Carry a notebook

You could have a literal notebook and pen with you, or you could write notes on your phone as you remember them, but this is basically about making a note of anything you remember that you need to do throughout the day, without having to try and keep it in your head, and then end up forgetting it. Feeling stressed out with trying to remember too much only adds up to a tangle of multi-tasking, and then not getting anywhere fast.

Set yourself small aims

This is a little like the idea of making lists, but having aims to complete within one particular day. Ticking items off your list will give you a boost, and when you reach your target aim for the day, you will feel like you have really got somewhere, and won’t be bogged down with an unachievable amount of tasks to complete within a small amount of time.

Get rid of junk, make it all simple

If you’re wading through a mountain of post it notes then you’re not going to be able to find what you need. Equally, if you’re working in a messy environment, your productivity won’t be the best. Declutter and see how much you manage to achieve in a day.

Try these ideas out for yourself, and see if you can tick more items off that to-do list.