10 Simple Ways to Be More Productive

Sometimes when it comes to getting more productive, the answers are simple. We get in these traps of overthinking things, but often a small purchase or a quick change of habit is worth 10x more than a great insight.

With that in mind, here are ten small things that have helped me be significantly more productive:

1. Buying an external monitor for my laptop: I put this off for so long, but now that I have one, I notice how much easier it is to work when I can have more windows open and keep my laptop with my to-do list.
2. Buy a laptop stand: Get a Roost Stand or another brand that help props up the screen. When you are hunched over your laptop you’re not going to be productive for more than 45 minutes.
3. Buy a keyboard and mouse for your laptop: Related to the last one, laptops are great for a bit of work here and there, but if you’re working 8-hour days at one you’re going to be in rough shape.
4. Buy a clipboard app: I used Paste 2 and have no idea how anyone works without one. Completely life-changing.
5. Buy blue-blocking glasses: This might be for the 30 and over crowd. But the difference in how I feel at the end of the day when I’ve used them and when I don’t is remarkable.
6. Meditate for a couple of minutes before starting work: Even 2 minutes right before you settle into your first task will help you navigate distractions and make a lot of progress.
7. Write out your key tasks for the day on a piece of paper before you start your workday: Pretty self-explanatory, but having your priority for the day written on paper will help you stay on track.
8. Get outside around lunchtime: Sitting inside staring at a computer all day is a recipe for anxiety, depression, and procrastination. Getting outside for even 15 minutes in the middle of the day is an incredible reset.
9. Listen to brain.fm or music without lyrics: Listening to your favorite music can be a great energy boost, but if it’s got lyrics it is distracting from your ability to think at the highest level.
10. Listen to an end-of-day reset song: train your brain to relax at the end of the day by sitting somewhere and listening to the same song every day at the end of your workday. Relaxing your body and mind at night leads to way better results the next day.