Well, if you're struggling to juggle work and life while trying to maximize your day without killing your health in the process, remember this: Being more productive doesn't mean working harder or longer; it means working smarter.

Here are 5 ways to be more productive, the smart way:


  • > Cut down the distractions

Distractions are productivity's biggest enemy. Take your work environment into account. The key is finding out what distractions are messing with your productivity, and then doing something about it.


  • > Simplify

Productive people are masters of simplifying things down to what matters most. They have a simple schedule. They live according to their values and purpose. They have no problem saying no to people or things that don't serve them.


  • > Time Management

If done correctly, this classic time-management hack can help you get things done in short work intervals. The key is to focus on the short bursts, as it helps you to concentrate on your tasks without distractions.


  • > Take more breaks

This sounds counterintuitive to being more productive at first, but according to a New York Times article, research shows that "daytime workouts, short afternoon naps, longer sleep hours, more time away from the office, and longer, more frequent vacations" actually boost productivity and job performance.


  • > Schedule your to-do list items

This productivity hack helps you be more realistic about what you want to get done. Cal Newton, author of Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World, says, "Scheduling forces you to confront the reality of how much time you actually have and how long things will take. Now that you look at the whole picture, you're able to get something productive out of every free hour you have in your workday. You not only squeeze more work in but you're able to put work into places where you can do it best."

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