For a lot of us, aspects of our work lives don't flow as easily and naturally as we would like. That could be because we feel there are more things on our to-do list than we are able to get done in the day, or it could be that we aren't quite sure how to find time for everything on our list but not feeling entirely rested when all is done and said.

Did you know: The average worker is only productive for 2hrs and 53mins in a standard 8hour workday?

Luckily, small changes can go a long way in helping us figure out how to optimize our days — here are 10 easy hacks you'll want to take note of, then incorporate into your week!

10 Easy Hacks to Increase Productivity

1 - Quiet Morning Time

If you can, wake up earlier than everyone else and use that time to get ahead. You’ll be able to focus better without distractions and can get a lot accomplished before the day gets started.

Set a daily goal. Having a goal for each day will help you stay focused and on track. Decide what you want to accomplish by the end of the day and work towards that.

2 - Meditation And Mindfulness

Meditation and mindfulness are great productivity hacks that can help you to focus and get things done. Taking a few minutes to meditate or be mindful can help to clear your mind and allow you to focus on the task at hand.

The best times to meditate or be mindful is first thing in the morning, before you start your work day. Taking a few minutes to yourself to centre yourself can help you to be more productive throughout the day.

3 - Exercise And Movement

Getting your body moving is a great way to increase your energy and productivity levels. Taking a few minutes to do some simple exercises or going for a walk can make a big difference in how you feel throughout the day.

Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated is important for your overall health, but it can also help you stay focused and productive during the work day. Drinking plenty of water will help you stay alert and thinking clearly.

4 - Video Calls, Not Meetings

Meetings can be a huge time sink, especially if they are not well organized. For this reason, many businesses are now using video conferencing instead of in-person meetings.

Video conferencing can save a lot of time and can be just as effective as a meeting.

5 - Declutter Your Workspace

A cluttered desk or workspace can be a major source of distraction and anxiety. Taking the time to declutter your space can help you to focus and feel more relaxed.

If you have items that are taking up space but don't serve a purpose, it's time to let them go.

6- Don't Forget Your Desktop

Once you've decluttered your physical space, it's time to move on to your digital space. Take a look at your computer desktop and get rid of any files or folders that you don't need. Organize your remaining files into folders so that you can find them easily when you need them.

Finally, unsubscribe from any email lists or newsletters that you're no longer interested in.

7 - Avoid Interruptions 

Set aside some time each day to work on uninterrupted. During this time, turn off all notifications on your phone and computer. Let your co-workers know that you will not be available during this time and ask them not to disturb you unless it is an emergency.

Utilise the "Do not Disturb" features on your digital tools, including Teams, Zoom & Google.

8 - Write A To-Do List

This may seem like a simple productivity hack, but it can be surprisingly effective. Write out everything you need to do in a day, and then prioritize the items on the list. This will help you focus on the most important tasks and get them done more quickly.

Set a time limit for each task: Once you have your to do list set, allocate a time limit for each task. This will help you stay on track and avoid getting bogged down in one particular task.

9 - Learn To Delegate

There are only so many hours in the day, and if you want to be successful, you need to learn to use them wisely. One way to do this is to delegate tasks and learn to say no. If you try to do everything yourself, you will quickly become overwhelmed and bogged down. Not only will this impact your own productivity, but it will also affect the quality of your work.

By learning to delegate and say no, you can focus on the tasks that are most important to you and get more done in less time.

10 - Utilise Digital Tools

If you find yourself doing the same task repeatedly, see if there is a way to automate it. Repetitive and tiresome task can impact your focus and reduce your levels of productivity.

There are many software programs and apps that can help you automate repetitive tasks. This will free up your time so that you can focus on more important things.

Making a Difference

Implementing even just a few of these productivity hacks can make a world of difference in your work day. By streamlining your tasks, taking regular breaks and eliminating distractions, you can set yourself up for success. Give these hacks a try and see how they impact your productivity. You might be surprised at just how much easier it is to get things done when you have a plan in place.