Doesn’t it seem like the hours between 9 to 5 pass so slowly and yet at the end of the day, you barely seem to have accomplished anything? If you’ve having trouble prioritizing your day, you’re not alone and Savvy Sugar.com has some tips to ensure you stay on track and minimize any time you may have to spend after hours working on projects.

First, SavvySugar.com advices you to plan your day on a curve. Use the first hour for easier work and complete the hardest projects between 10 am and 2 pm. Then finish the day with housekeeping tasks.

Make sure to work on projects first and emails later. Unless it’s an urgent office message or an email from your boss, reading emails throughout the day directly impacts the length of time it takes to finish an assignment. Ignore emails when in mid-project or try to limit checking your inbox to every 20 minutes.

Don’t forget to keep snacks and to stay hydrated. According to Diagnose Me, “A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page.”

If your work environment allows it, take a quick break to watch a funny online video. A recent study shows that this releases anxiety and makes you more productive throughout the work day.

Lastly, try to use stress to your advantage. Although there are several negative effects to stress, it does cause adrenaline, which can make your body more productive, intelligent and quick. Learning to manage your stress level to help you work faster and stay focused is key to getting through the work day at an appropriate time.

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