It can be tempting to rely on deadline-induced adrenaline rushes to reach major work milestones. But how can you make productivity more habitual and sustainable? The first step is to understand that being productive means optimizing your entire life. A well-designed personal life supports your efforts at work, and vice versa. For example, instead of eating alone at your desk, meet a colleague for lunch. Eating together will benefit both of your professional and personal lives. Next, when planning your to-do list, try to match the task to the amount of focus needed. Schedule your most challenging work for when your energy levels are highest. Use short bursts of time well by having a list of “microgoals” you can accomplish in your spare minutes throughout the week, such as booking that flight or writing that recommendation letter. By leveraging even short amounts of time, you can make steady progress on your most important goals.
Adapted from "3 Productivity Tips You Can Start Using Today," by Dorie Clark
