Making the most of your eight-hour workday can be a real challenge. Staying focused while maintaining an appropriate level of sanity is no easy feat. You may think you’re doing a good job, knocking those items off your to-do list, but then you check the time and WHAM, day gone. Utilizing these three tips below will help you stay on track throughout your day.
Use the two-minute rule
Ever heard of the two-minute rule? For those of you who work best under pressure AKA procrastination, take a good long look at this rule. Not only can you combat procrastination by immediately tackling any tasks on your to-do list that require two minutes or less for completion, you’ll feel accomplished! By getting those pesky little items out of the way, you’re allowing your mind to be open and available to tackle the big-ticket tasks. And consistently doing so, you’ll build a habit of showing up that’ll gradually lead you down a more productive path at work.
Work in 90-minute blocks
Set a timer for 90 minutes and take on that big-ticket task (that you have the mindset to take on, since you used the two-minute rule) and see how far you can get. Seriously, try it. It’s only an hour and a half, less than 20% of your day. Once you hit the 90-minute mark, give your brain a rest. Step away from your desk for at least 20 minutes to allow your mind time to recover. Researchers have found that work overload often leads to distractions. Our brains can only focus for 90-120 minutes at a time, and require 20-30 minute breaks for recovery. So, if you’d like to be at the top of your game and perform at the best of your ability, remember to pace yourself.
