Ensuring your productivity does not suffer is now more crucial than ever as the onslaught of information hurled at us through our screens continues to accelerate. Luckily there are some tips and tools you should be aware of that can help you stay focused, motivated, and on track. Here’s an overview of just some of the ways you can stay on top of things over the long run.

#1- GET ORGANIZED- Creating a checklist of things you need to accomplish over the short and long term is a crucial component to making sure you’re on track to meeting your goals.

Start small by making daily to-do liststhat you can refer to throughout the day to help you stay on course.Some experts suggest that breaking down items on your to-do lists into smaller, more manageable chunks increases your chances of effectively completing them. Being more specific about the tasks you expect to complete also forces you to evaluate how realistic your goals are and how much time they’re actually going to require you to dedicate.

#2- PERFORM YOUR TOP PRIORITY TASK WHEN YOUR MOST ENERGETIC-Understanding how your energy levels fluctuate throughout the day is an important factor to consider when creating an effective to-do list. While this varies, early mornings tend to be when the majority of people feel the most energized and alert. If this sounds like you, start the day with some of your most important tasks — the type of work that requires focus and clarity of mind, rather than busy work. Save less critical tasks for later in the day — or whenever you tend to see your energy slump.

#3- OVERESTIMATING YOUR ABILITY TO MULTITASK IS KEY: It’s easier said than done, but focusing on a single task or project at a time is by and large the most efficient way of getting work done. When you’re focused on a single task both sides of your prefrontal cortex are working in concert, but once you introduce a new complex task that energy is split between the two and more often than not, weakened. Simply put, our brains aren’t wired to be doing numerous complex tasks at once. Being a little more one-track-minded also reduces the time and energy exerted on transitioning between tasks and can ultimately improve the quality of your output.

#4- TAKE BREAKS- If you’re looking to maintain your productivity over a longer period you’re going to have to take more breaks. Scheduling regular breaks throughout the day, experts believe, helps maintain motivation and improves your focus. If you think you’re better off just powering through and getting things done, you run the risk of burnout — which poses an even more significant threat to your overall productivity in the long term and a more difficult hurdle to bounce back from later on.

Try out the Pomodoro Technique: One way to remind yourself to take breaks is called the Pomodoro Technique, which suggests that taking a 5-minute break after 25 minutes of distraction-free work is a great way to stretch out your motivation throughout the day.

Choose your breaks wisely…scrolling mindlessly through your phone or making a phone call that can turn into a day-long conversation isn’t a proper break. Simply doing nothing, looking out a window, or, if you have the option, going for a walk, are better alternatives.

#5- LEAVE IMPORTANT TASKS INCOMPLETE…We agree thatthis might sound counterintuitive but hear us out. Some experts suggest that deliberately leaving important tasks unfinished is better than just getting them over with. Assuming you have the luxury of time, leaving projects on the back burner for a little while can improve the quality of your work and increase the chances of you catching mistakes. The idea behind this theory is that unfinished business stays on your mind for longer than tasks you’re able to complete in a single sitting. The more time spent pondering, the better you’re able to come up with a formidable solution or idea.

#6- TECHNOLOGY IS YOUR FRIEND- There are now countless apps you can rely on to help you stay organized and on track:

  • Todoistis a straightforward to-do list app that can help you create reminders, organize tasks, and keep tabs on your progress packaged in a highly accessible interface that almost anyone will be able to use.
  • Focus To-Do combines a basic to-do list app with an integrated Pomodoro timer. You also have the option of turning on white noise through the app which can help you concentrate on those extraordinarily taxing assignments.
  • Trello is great for managing workflow on group projects. You have the option of creating boards that contain all the big picture tasks that need to be completed as well as the ability to collaboratively update progress on each task.
  • Notion users swear by this app for its versatility. Notion is especially useful for storing and organizing notes and information but it also works for full-scale project management.

#7- ULTIMATELY, THE FOUNDATION OF PRODUCTIVITY IS HEALTH- Getting enough sleep,adequate nutrition and exercise will form the bedrock of your ability to stay focused, alert, and productive for extended periods. Most people need seven hours of sleep every night for healthy neural functioning — being sleep-deprived hinders your body’s ability to regulate stress, retain information, and concentrate for longer periods. Low blood sugar or hunger are other major determinants of poor job performance, but they can be easily counteracted by ensuring regular intake of fruits and vegetables throughout the day.

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