Do you ever find your energy levels beginning to slump in the afternoon? You’re not alone!

Come 3pm, most of us are seriously flagging. Our energy levels are low, our brains are foggy, and yet there are still a good couple of hours before we can think about stopping for the day.

Well, we’re here to change that by making this season your most productive yet. That's why we’ve put together a list of our top 10 productivity hacks to help keep you on your A-game.

1. SET GOALS

Each morning marks the start of a new day, and writing down your daily tasks, challenges and goals is a great way to stay motivated and on track. 

Try breaking up your projects into smaller tasks. This will help you feel more in control and make the bigger projects seem less overwhelming. 

2. TAKE BREAKS

We may think working longer hours means we’re getting more done, but nobody works well when they’re burnt out, period. 

In fact, research has shown taking short breaks helps to improve concentration, boost your mood and maintain a consistent level of performance, which all in turn work to improve productivity. 

Take a five-minute walk around the office, spend 15 minutes grabbing that mid-afternoon coffee or you could even try some mobility exercises. Try to resist the temptation to pick up your phone and scroll, as this won’t allow your mind to fully switch off.

3. SET A TIMER

One of the most off-putting things about any task is knowing how long it takes to complete it. One way you can tackle this is by setting a timer for each of your tasks. 

How you go about this is entirely up to you, as there are so many different ways. For one, there’s the Pomodoro Technique. This works by focusing on a task for 25 minutes followed by a five minute break. 

These techniques make it easier to ‘just get started’, while helping to make you more aware of your time and improving concentration.

4. PRIORITISE TASKS AHEAD OF TIME

One of the most effective ways to improve productivity is to prioritise tasks ahead of time. This way, even when time runs out, you know you’ve completed the most important tasks - resulting in a feeling of accomplishment. 

If you’re struggling to prioritise your to-do list, try to complete your ‘most dreaded’ task first. Many people tend to check emails in the morning because after checking a list of emails, they feel fulfilled. However, you’re much better doing the more difficult tasks first, as you’ll have more energy in the morning to tackle them.

5. DON’T MULTITASK

It can be tempting to want to juggle multiple tasks at once, especially if they seem small or easy. But the reality is, it just doesn’t work. 

Believe it or not, studies have shown the brain is actually incapable of focusing on two things at the same time. Instead, it’s much better to focus on one task at a time, as you’ll actually end up completing it faster. 

6. CELEBRATE YOUR SUCCESSES 

No matter how big or small, we think all successes are worth celebrating. 

Whether you choose to reward yourself with a delicious sweet treat or an extra 15 minutes at the gym, celebrating your personal achievements is a great way to improve productivity and push you to achieve more. 

Make sure to keep track of your small wins, so that whenever you doubt your progress, you can see just how far you’ve come. 

7. PRACTISE SELF CARE

We can’t stress enough how important it is to practise self care throughout the day. This doesn’t mean you need to stop to do a face mask every half hour, but keeping hydrated, eating well and taking regular breaks to get some fresh air is essential. 

We’d also recommend taking time out to exercise (you don’t need to ask us twice!). As we all know physical activity isn’t just beneficial for your physical health, but your mental health too, and getting your blood pumping could be just what you need to clear your head and get your focus back. 

8. ESTABLISH WHEN YOU’RE MOST PRODUCTIVE

We all sometimes push aside big tasks because we’re not confident we’ll complete them… And by the time we get to them, we’re too exhausted to give it the attention it needs, which is how projects end up running into additional days and making it feel like our productivity has disappeared down the drain.

Understanding when and how you work best is key to getting those big projects done on time. There’s no set schedule that works for everyone, you could find you’re a morning person or that you work better later in the afternoon. 

Find out when your prime time for productivity is and try to adapt your work schedule accordingly.

9. CREATE A CALM WORKING SPACE

Creating the perfect home office setup is not only important for your productivity, it’s important for your mental health too. This is because your mind needs to be able to separate work from home, so that when it comes to the end of the working day, you can fully switch off and relax.

Find a spot with plenty of light - natural light is best - and close to plug sockets, so you can connect up your computer or laptop. 

Don’t forget to decorate! Research shows an office with aesthetically pleasing elements, like plants, artwork or candles, can increase productivity by up to 15%. 

Finish off your space with some chilled-out music, relaxing aromas and plenty of cushions to keep you comfy. 

10. CREATE A GOOD NIGHTTIME ROUTINE

The perfect nighttime routine looks different to everyone, so make sure that your routine is right for you. 

If you like skincare and 10 hours sleep, then factor this in. Or if you enjoy a spot of late-night yoga before winding down, then make this your priority. 

Whatever it looks like for you, make sure you’re doing things like avoiding your phone and caffeine to get the best possible sleep. For more tips on how to improve your sleep pattern, check out our blog here.

Not every day will be perfectly productive, and it’s important to not beat yourself up over this, because the reality is nothing is ever perfect.

Instead, refocus your energy and implement our productivity hacks to make the most of your day. Once you find what works for you, you’ll be amazed at how much more you can get done both in and out of the office.