Procrastination is a worldwide epidemic that seems to have no cure. You know the feeling we’re talking about – that itch to just reach for your phone one more time before you get back to work, the desire to switch windows to play a song on Spotify and get distracted by new tabs.

If you’re struggling to buckle down and get your work done, we have 5 tips that will help you get on top of your game and be more productive.

1.  Make a To-Do List

Making a to-do list doesn’t have to be a pen and paper affair (unless that’s your cup of tea). You can jot things down on your phone or use desktop stick notes – whatever works for you. Just having a visual breakup of what you need to complete can help keep you on track. It not only makes you feel more organized, it will give you a sense of achievement every time you.

2. Break Down Big Tasks

Sometimes a task may seem very complex when you write it down as it is. But once you begin breaking it down into bite sized chunks, you’ll be able to tackle it one piece at a time. This will make your tasks seem not only more manageable but also easier.  

3.  Give Yourself  Breaks

It’s unreasonable to expect that you won’t check your phone even once during the time you’re working, or that you won’t get up to get a glass of water and get caught up with something else. So instead of trying to prevent these moments of procrastination – factor them into your day.

Give yourself scheduled breaks.  These will make you less likely to want to slack off during the time you’re working because you’ll know you’re going to be getting a chance to take a break soon anyway.

 4. Don't Try Multitasking

Everyone likes to say they’re good at multitasking – but they rarely are. The more tasks you take on at one time, the less likely you are to do each of them well. Don’t try to do multiple things at once, instead try breaking tasks up into chunks and add them to your to-list alternatively with other tasks. This way, if you’re looking for different things to work on to keep yourself from being bored; you’ll be able to give them all your undivided attention.

5.  Identify Your Peak Hours 

We all have our own peak productivity hours. For some people, it might be early in the morning, for others it might be right when everyone else is winding down. Identify when you are most productive during the day and concentrate on having most of your heavy duty work done then.

Being productive requires effort, even if you’re one of the most creative people out there. If you don’t know how to discipline yourself so you can make the most of your creativity, there will be no point. Try the tips above and see for yourself how your productivity levels go way up!