How to take control of your to-do list and crush your work day this summer

As summer weather sets in, our sleeves get shorter and so do our attention spans. While it can be tempting to throw all productivity to the wayside in favor of lake days, convertible drives, and ice cream trips, this list has the tips to keep you on track and working toward your goals.

TAKE BREAKS

This may seem counterintuitive, but a great way to stay on task is to take small breaks every hour to give your brain a much-needed rest and reset. Taking a break doesn’t necessarily mean taking a full 30 minutes to leave the office and grab a bite to eat (although this is important also!), but it can mean taking 30 seconds for something as simple as standing up and walking a lap around the office. The act of changing your environment, even if it’s just the backside of your computer screen, can be just the reset that your mind needs to keep powering through your to-do list.

Change up your scenery

Along the same lines of taking breaks, changing your surroundings can help break up your day a bit and keep you focused on the task at hand. Try working at a different desk if possible, work outside in the sunshine if your office has a place for that, or try standing at your desk. You can also take a walk outside while you take phone meetings! Small adjustments like this can help you reorient yourself to your list of tasks.3. Live by the calendar.
One thing that can keep you on task is to take advantage of your scheduling capabilities. Especially if you have a shared calendar, it can be helpful to block out the time required for appointments, lunch breaks, and even project working sessions. This helps your coworkers know when you’re available to help them with their tasks and curbs the chance of overextending your day.

Prioritize your tasks

You may have heard of the 2-minute rule. If you can complete a task in two minutes or less, do it right away. This is one way to keep your to-do list in check and under control. Another way to prioritize tasks is by order of importance. By completing your most important tasks first, you will avoid wasting time on tasks that you don’t require as much attention.

Break tasks into smaller bites

Especially for your more important and daunting tasks, it can be helpful to break up larger items into more manageable bites. It can also be extra satisfying to tick off those smaller pieces off of your to-do list!

There you have it, our favorite tips for staying productive this summer! What are your best tips for staying productive during your workday? Leave us a comment below!

by Macey Milroy