It’s no secret that people struggle with productivity in the workplace. With so many different distractions readily available, you might find it hard to stay on track. Here are some tips for staying organized in the workplace:

Complete smaller tasks in the morning
Mornings can be slow, especially if you haven’t had you daily dose of caffeine. To combat this, spend the first hour of the workday accomplishing the smaller tasks that tend to pile up if left. Knock out quick email responses so that your coworkers can move forward with their duties,as well. That way, you’ll give your body enough time to wake up before taking on the bigger projects of the day. In addition, you’ll be helping out others in the office by working in a timely fashion.

Take regular breaks
Sometimes when we get into a routine, we don’t think that breaks are necessary. However, this is far from the truth. Constant meetings or eyes on a computer screen can lessen your productivity, and you can lose focus. Instead, be sure to take breaks. This can be anything from going for a walk to chatting with a coworker. Pro tip: Don’t eat lunch at your desk because it won’t feel like a break. Get out of the office so you can clear your mind.

Ask, don’t email
In today’s technological age, we tend to put a lot of emphasis on online communication, even if that person is sitting next to us or down the hall. However, waiting for an email back can actually make you lose time. If the person is right next to you or down the hall, stop in to ask the question. It’ll give you an excuse to get away from your desk for a minute. In addition, you might receive a better answer to the question you asked.

Use a checklist
Some people thrive on the instant gratification they receive from checking something off a list. If you’re one of these people, be sure to create as many as necessary. That way, if you lose sight of your goals for the day, you can always revert to the checklist. Most computers have a program where you can do this on your desktop, so you can even save paper.

Before you leave for the evening, try making a list for the following day. That way, when you come in during the morning, you’ll get to work with ease.

Use a calendar
Online calendars are great, but nothing beats a hard copy calendar to either hang up or keep on your desk. Brookhollow offers a variety of different calendars that you can customize yourself. You can create a business or personal calendar, or try mixing it up by combining the two. You can choose the one that best represents your personality to hang in your office. Be sure to check out the site to find one that can liven up your work space.