3 ways to hack your workday.

Wasting time might be one of the reasons you are reading this right now. 

Review how you've spent your time today, and you'll likely find plenty of unproductive time that you may not have even spent relaxing or preparing to be productive later.

Simply planning your day can make a BIG difference. Science has a lot to say about this. 

For example, it turns out that our willpower may be better earlier in the day and we need to take advantage of that.

Let’s take a look below at a few simple hacks to help you through your work day. 

Give yourself more time in the morning.

Studies suggest that morning people tend to be more proactive than evening people. This is at least partly because waking up earlier means more energetic, productive morning work hours. 

Studies also indicate that keeping the same sleeping pattern every day helps keep a person proactive, no matter what time of day their schedule may accommodate.

The choice to allow more time to prepare yourself for your workday, project, or event helps remove the stress of getting out the door, or making it to your presentation on time.

Get moving, prepare yourself completely and without rushing, and get your work done sooner.

If that means waking up early, do that. If it means building patterns into your lifestyle that streamline your day do that too!. 

Balance work and rest.

Some people believe that success means latching themselves to their desks all day. However, we often fall short and cannot maintain such habits.

Whatever your schedule allows, make sure you do not neglect your body's need to get away for a moment. Go to the bathroom, get a drink of water, take a walk outside, or do something fun. You'll find your ability to focus and work increases the more you implement this routine.

Avoid multitasking.

Many employers seem to want workers who can multi-task, but are they actually harming productivity?

We all want to complete multiple projects, but multi-tasking divides your attention, detracts from work quality, and prolongs time spent on each project.

The reason lies in your attention capacity, specifically the act of switching it. Every time you do this, you pay a price in cognitive functionality. Operating in this state leaves one vulnerable to any distraction. A click-bait article, a friend messaging you on WhatsApp, or a constant barrage of emails all serve as distractions slowly eating away at your mental capacities.

Our advice is to focus on what needs completing and eliminate the rest. Turn off notifications (or your phone entirely), close superfluous browser windows (or hide them on another desktop if you really need them later), and put your work into where it matters: the task at hand.

Once you cut distractions, reduce unnecessary decision-making and balance your work/rest routine, you start an avalanche of productivity. It means less fatigue, less wasted time, and more progress in your life and career.

Now it's time to put it into practice. 

Go out and show the day who’s boss.