Productivity can seem like an elusive resource. There are times when the work flows, and before you know it, it’s 5 pm, and your to-do list is all ticked off. Yet there are other times when you push and push to stay on task and fail. But perhaps there are ways for us to opt into the groove, instead of just waiting for it to find us. What if we could hack productivity the way we hack other parts of our lives? 

Fitness, skincare, travel, and even sleep, there is a whole industry of apps and programs, websites and routines that claim to boost success in everyday life. And the same is true for work productivity. But what separates a fad from a helpful practice? What is a bit of flashy tech? And what is an actual tool to increase your success? 

We’ve all heard the urban legends of CEOs who start the day at 4 am with a swift 5k, an hour in the gym, a yoga session, breakfast, and straight to work at 7 am. Whether that sounds like your dream or your nightmare, harnessing the wonders of a routine doesn’t need to be so extreme to show results. It might be less about following someone else’s schedule and listening to your own.

Our bodies run on a circadian rhythm; this natural cycle controls our peaks in energy, and planning your tasks around these ebbs and flows can be a shortcut to completing your hardest tasks in your best hours.

For most of us, our energy starts flowing in the morning, reaching maximum alertness around lunchtime and slowly declining until the dreaded 3 pm slump. From then on, the levels rise again until a second peak around 6 pm.

When we compare this to our work schedule of mornings full of emails and afternoons spent on the more important tasks, it makes sense to mix things up a little and begin re-prioritising our to-do list in line with our energy levels.

Instead of using our precious productive hours replying to emails, why not delve into the big tasks whilst we have the energy?

A healthy mind and body are the foundation of a productive workday, and whilst we may know many of the things we’re supposed to do, doing them can be a completely different story. 

One of the key factors to productivity is hydration. We’re bombarded with reminders to drink water often, but being dehydrated is truly the enemy when it comes to productivity. Studies have shown that a 1% drop in dehydration can create a 12% drop in productivity, and worse, a 3 or 4% drop in dehydration can lead to 25% less productivity. So, if you’re losing the focus battle, maybe the answer is just a sip away.

Where you work can set the tone for your productivity, from full-time office work to working from home and now a mix of both. It’s been a real journey of working practices over the last few years. But where is the best place to work really?

For many people, a working-from-home situation has been incredibly helpful for their productivity; for others, less so. But when we look at the figures, some things might surprise you. For example, a study by Owl Labs found that home workers spend 55% more time working when at home than they do in an office. Forbes recently reported that 69% of employees reported higher levels of digital burnout from the increased use of communication tools and decreased socialisation.

And yet, 32% of employees would take a pay cut to work from home. 70% of people find virtual meetings less stressful than in-person meetings. And a significantly larger proportion of employees report higher happiness and productivity levels. 

The answer might lay somewhere in between. Hybrid working presents a wonderful middle ground, allowing people to keep their work-life balance and deep focus in a more structured environment. At Clockwise, we create the ideal working environment, designed aesthetically to boost productivity with natural light and a range of working spaces. We also have offices around the UK, so wherever you live, there’s a local office to work from. Explore Clockwise offices and get in touch to see if a hybrid solution could boost your personal or overall employee productivity.

Our phones are often the biggest source of distraction, but what if the very thing that distracts us could be the key to keeping us on track? Let’s look at some of the best digital tools on the market for productivity.

Todoist: This tracking app keeps all your tasks in one place, big or small. What makes Todoist special is its ability to integrate other apps. Whether meetings in Gmail or your Trello board, you can combine all the areas of your life into one single hub. And, with greater visibility comes greater power. 

Freedom: Distractions are inevitable, but distractions are guaranteed when you put the internet in the mix. Luckily, a litany of apps are designed to save you from yourself. Freedom allows you to transfer web-blocking apps from your laptop to your phone, giving you a full blackout on all the things that threaten your work productivity the most. 

Pomodor: The age-old technique of Pomodoro (timed blocks of productivity with scheduled breaks) has been digitised many times, but Pomodor is a classic for its simplicity. The super clean UX of Pomodor means you can keep on task without getting distracted by staying on task.

Just as accountability can boost productivity in fitness, the same can be said for work. Studies have proven that when you share your goals, your chances of completing the task increase to 65% and check-ins with accountability partners can get that number up to 95%. 

The first step to accountability is choosing your partner. In work, this can often be your manager, but you can also have informal partners in colleagues. It can be as simple as sharing your weekly goals, catching up on these part way through, and then reviewing your progress at the end of the week. 

Vocalising and sharing our tasks allows us to assess what needs to be done, and by workshopping with your partner on how to achieve your tasks, you can prioritise and maximise success. 

This clarifying of your to-do list and structured check-ins takes the guesswork out of what needs doing and provides regular deadlines. Meaning you have less confusion and fewer unproductive hours spent trying to structure your days.

Taking these tips on board is a simple way to boost your work productivity. For even more ideas and information on creating ideal work practices, explore further blogs on Clockwise.com.