<ul><li>Physical: they range from the clutter on your desk or having too many clothes, making it harder to choose an outfit in the morning.</li><li>Intangible: notifications from your phone, random web browsing sessions without an end in mind, convoluted apps and systems that take more time to manage than to do the actual work.</li><li>People: the annoying coworker who keeps interrupting you or that friend that you always give more than you receive.</li></ul>

3 Types of Distractions

Throughout the years, I've learned a lot of lessons about productivity and working smarter. These are my 10 commandments on how to be productive and work smarter, instead of harder. They serve as a constant reminder when I am feeling unproductive or things are just not working out the way they should.

productivity

Productivity

personaldevelopment

Personal Development

problemsolving

Problem Solving

timemanagement

Time Management

10 Ways to Actually Work Smarter

Busywork is work that seems productive but only serves to keep you busy. For example, you’re trying to show that you’re a hard worker and end up doing something that is of little value to the company but keeps you occupied. Busywork has many causes, but the result is that time passes and you have not done anything of real value. This is arguably the definition of wasted time.

Busywork

Most of the time, planning is a great way to avoid wasting time. But there comes a point when it’s possible to overdo the planning process. Because it is possible to overengineer a system or a strategy to do more than you set out to do, increasing the complexity of the plan but not contributing significantly to the overall goal. 
Knowing when to stop planning and start doing ensures that you don’t allow your planning to morph into a dreaded time waster.

Wasting time: Forever planning

Time management tips & strategies to stop wasting time.

health

Health

How To Stop Wasting Time

Everyone is vulnerable to wasting time. The good news is that once you’ve pinpointed the culprit, you can take steps to avoid it.

The worst kind of time waster is the kind that comes disguised as work. This is a guide to some of the most common time wasters and can help you spot and avoid them.

Top 9 Time Wasters and How To Avoid Them

Why You're Wasting Time: Top Time Wasters and How To Avoid Them

<ul>
<li>Workplace autonomy and the freedom to decide</li>
<li>Task variations and scope for creative ideas</li>
<li>Task significance</li>
<li>Recognition for work</li>
<li>Task difficulty</li>
<li>Professional skills and specialization</li>
<li>Social support within the workplace</li>
<li>Feedback from superiors</li>
<li>Environmental conditions at work</li>
<li>Business management and networking channels.</li>
</ul>

Factors Associated With Happiness At Work

<ol>
<li>Declutter your workplace</li>
<li>Mindfulness</li>
<li>Exercise, in any form</li>
<li>Engage in feedback mechanisms</li>
<li>Reflect on one task at a time</li>
<li>Help a colleague</li>
<li>Choose your responses wisely. Practice mindfulness, gratitude, and effective communication.</li>
<li>Value yourself</li>
<li>Start Your day on a good note. Take some moments each morning to collect your thoughts and plan your day ahead.</li>
<li>Adjust your schedules. Prolonged working hours without breaks can take a toll on the brain and bring us down, thereby making way for unproductivity and distress.</li>
</ol>

Finding Real Happiness at Work

Practical lessons for anyone who wants to find more happiness at work

leadershipandmanagement

Leadership & Management

Happiness At Work

Last Updated on How often do you consider quitting your job and feel that you are not getting paid enough for the dedication and service you offer your organization? Happiness and satisfaction are subjective concepts - while for some of us monetary benefits can be equated with job satisfaction, some might strive for recognition of their hard-work and lose motivation on failing to achieve so.

Understand yourself and those around you.

psychology

Psychology

motivationandinspiration

Motivation & Inspiration

Tips on How to be Happy at Work

<ul>
<li>Limit the amount of time spent on an individual task to 45 minutes. To create higher quality output, don't allow interruptions.</li>
<li>Create a 'not-to-do list' to avoid over-scheduling. </li>
<li>Take five minutes at least five times a day to stop completely. Go for a walk outside.</li>
<li>Make room for fun, laughter, and meaningful relationships. At the end of peoples' lives, they don't wish they worked longer hours. They wish they'd spent more time with family or traveled more.</li>
</ul>

Overcoming extreme productivity addiction

'Productivity’ has become a buzzword with positive connotations – but what happens when getting things done is taken to an extreme?

When productivity becomes an addiction

Use the <a href="https://www.themuse.com/advice/a-better-todo-list-the-135-rule">1-3-5 rule</a> when putting together her daily to-do list.On any given day, set nine goals for yourself:  <ul><li>one big-ticket project to tackle</li><li>three medium tasks</li><li>five small things. </li></ul>Narrow down your to-do list to just those things. This keeps you from feeling overwhelmed by an endless list, and also helps keep you focused on just those items.

Tailor your to-do lists

A round-up of useful sources to refer to when willpower gets low.

books

Books

Beat Procrastination

8 min read Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Humans have a tendency to procrastinate because our minds naturally like to be in a relaxed state. Sometimes it's hard to get going, or we have trouble focusing and find ourselves putting off an unpleasant or difficult task for as long as possible.

10 Ways to Actually Work Smarter

Top 9 Time Wasters and How To Avoid Them

Tips on How to be Happy at Work

It's time to
Read like a Pro.

When productivity becomes an addiction

CURATED BY

10 Ways to Actually Work Smarter

Top 9 Time Wasters and How To Avoid Them

Tips on How to be Happy at Work

It's time to Read like a Pro.

When productivity becomes an addiction

CURATED BY

It's time to
Read like a Pro.