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Create a morning routine -

Try to start your morning the same way each day. This could mean calmly getting ready, or taking a short walk to move around before sitting at your desk.

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Plan ahead -

By planning ahead, you can jump right into the most pressing projects, rather than spending time trying to prioritize everything the day of.

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Minimize your to-do list -

If your to-do list is long, you're setting yourself up for disappointment. Therefore, keep it short, concise, and realistic.

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Quit multitasking -

Contrary to popular belief, multitasking doesn’t work. Your cerebral cortex only pays attention to one thing at a time. Multitasking strains your cortex, as it tries to focus your energy and attention on too many different things.

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Limit notifications -

Whether it's from your phone or your computer, a single notification has the ability to derail your productivity for several minutes. Therefore, silence all notifications for blocks of time throughout your day to ensure you are distraction-free.

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Take breaks -

Although it may sound counterintuitive to productivity, scheduling breaks with intention can actually ensure you get even more done. Experiment with different breaking techniques until you find what works for you, like the Pomodoro technique: 25 minutes of work followed by a five-minute break.

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Complete tasks in chunks -

You can also combine taking breaks with completing tasks in chunks. Combining these two tips is a great way to ensure you’re working smarter, not harder.

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Ask questions early -

Rather than wait until the last minute to ask your questions or seek guidance, jump on this as early as possible. It helps you identify and solve problems you might encounter later on.

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Aim for results, not time spent -

The time it takes to do a task doesn't equate to the quality of the finished product. Rather than focusing on logging longer hours, focus on end results.

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Use productivity and automation tools -

Software designed for productivity and automation can simplify tasks, streamline your workflow, and make collaborating with others a breeze.

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Strengthen your communication skills -

If you communicate effectively, your tasks and projects flow more seamlessly. For example, when you're writing an email to a coworker, try to keep the email short with a straightforward message.

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Set short deadlines -

Setting deadlines for your work can help you focus. Consider planning to complete tasks in shorter periods. This can also increase your efficiency while working on your tasks.

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Expedite your meetings -

Meetings are necessary and unavoidable, but you can make them more efficient in most cases. Start by cutting down meeting times and getting hyperfocused when deciding what to discuss, and what can simply be an email.

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Match tasks with your energy levels -

Whenever possible, try to match your tasks for the day to how energized you feel. For example, if you feel down or tired, you may want to work on more mundane tasks that don't require as much mental bandwidth.

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Use stress management techniques -

Beyond helping your productivity, managing your stress will help you become more resilient in all areas of your life. Some helpful techniques include meditation, therapy, and moving your body throughout the day.

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Manage your time wisely -

Time management skills are vital when trying to work smarter. For example, you can schedule your day to help support productivity and efficiency without feeling stressed.

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Embrace challenges -

To work smart, you must learn to embrace challenges. It's through challenges that we grow and learn.

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Show availability in your calendar -

Specify times in your calendar when you want to focus on work. This can give you time to get your work finished and avoid unanticipated distractions.

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Set clear goals -

Setting goals makes it easier to define what you want to achieve and focus on the most important tasks.

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Respond quickly -

Try to start a habit of responding to people right away. If you open an email that requires a response, doing so right away helps you get the task off your list.

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Enjoy the outdoors -

When you find yourself at a standstill with work, it's helpful to seek out a change of scenery. During your lunch break, try walking to the nearest park and breathing some fresh air.

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Say "no" more often -

If you have high-priority tasks you want to finish and a coworker asks for help on an unrelated project, explain your availability. Understanding your priorities and how best to complete them can help you set boundaries, allowing you to focus.

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Continuous learning -

By constantly updating your skills and knowledge, you'll be well prepared for smart work. For example, it could be a new technological skill.

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Know when to quit -

While it may seem counterintuitive, it's essential to know when to shut down your computer for the day. Common signs include feeling stuck, a wandering mind, and rereading the same sentence over and over again.

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Delegate more -

Mastering the art of delegation is an essential skill, which isn't easy if you're a control freak or perfectionist. However, the key is understanding that the ability to delegate will make you more productive.

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Celebrate achievements -

A common cognitive distortion is focusing on the negative, which can be mentally draining and lead to decreased productivity and poor mental health. When you celebrate achievements, you're avoiding that distortion and maintaining motivation.

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Track progress -

Often, we waste more time than we realize. So tracking your progress is essential for understanding how you spend your time and resources.

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Declutter your office space -

Organize your office space by getting rid of paper, trash, and any other unnecessary items. What's more, nonessential software on your computer can be considered digital clutter.

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Establish a closing routine -

Just as you have a routine for starting your day, also try to have one for the end of your day, as it can help position you for a great start the next morning. It can include making a to-do list for the next morning and picking your clothes out for the day.

Sources: (Forbes) (Indeed) (Teamwork.com) (BetterUp)

See also: Realistic ways you can improve your workload management

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