Improving your productivity helps you accomplish more at work and at home. Productivity life hacks cover everything from better ways of planning your work, study and chores to more effective ways of doing the task. Here are six hacks to increase your efficiency.

1. Forget About Multitasking

Your productivity falls up to 40% when you multitask, so focus on one task at a time. Multitasking is an illusion. In reality, you’re simply switching from one task to another, and your brain takes several minutes to settle on the new task. When you prioritize your tasks and focus on them one at a time, your productivity improves noticeably.

2. Disable Unnecessary Notifications

Cut down on notifications on your computer and mobile devices. Don’t give every website and app permission to interrupt you anytime. You can put a lid on apps that are relentless about posting notifications by using the « do not disturb » features and notification management tools available on Android, iOS, Windows and Mac.

3. Use Keyboard Shortcuts

You’ll be surprised by how much faster you can work when you use keyboard shortcuts on browsers, Windows and Mac. The few seconds you save from not using the mouse or trackpad to click around menus add up to hours over time.

4. Set Up Aggressive Email Filters

All major email clients provide an email filtering feature to organize your inbox. One effective way to manage your mail is setting up different accounts for different purposes (work, newsletters, family/friends) and using one app to manage all the addresses.

5. Use the Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro Technique is a time-management method that helps you complete projects faster by maintaining focus. The process involves budgeting your time into a « Pomodoro » (25-minute period for work) followed by a five-minute break. After three or four Pomodoros, you take a break for 15 to 20 minutes. This technique improves your productivity because the frequent breaks keep your mind fresh so it’s easier to remain focused.

6. Use Your Downtime to Learn Something New

Productive people are always looking to learn something new during downtime while commuting, waiting in line and so on. Don’t let the time pass as you scroll your social media feed, check your mail or stare out the window. Instead, read an article or e-book or listen to an audiobook or podcast.

Using these tips will help you complete your tasks at work and at home faster and get the best possible results.