tips for improving productivity from an expert ..

You say tomato, I say pomodoro.

This is a well-worn method that has stood the test of time, which is why it’s first on the list. Set a timer for 25 minutes and focus on a single task. Take a five minute break, then repeat this four times. I usually also draw a circle divided into four parts and color in each one when I complete a 25-minute lap. You can even buy a tomato-shaped kitchen timer like the one that gave the name to this technique in the 1980s. It definitely worked for Francesco Cirillo, the inventor of this hack, who used one as a student.

Plan the plan.

Be specific about when, where and how you will work towards your objectives. That’ll “create a mental roadmap that bolsters commitment and facilitates the automatic execution of goal-consistent behaviors,” says Irene Scopelliti, a professor of marketing and behavioral science at Bayes Business School in London. “Pairing the goal ‘I want to be more productive next year’ with ‘I will dedicate the first hour of each day to tackle priority tasks, starting at 9 a.m.’ increases the likelihood that the goal will be achieved.”

Divide, conquer and celebrate.

“Break big projects into smaller, achievable tasks. This strategy offers a clear progression path,” says Costas Andriopoulos, a professor of innovation and entrepreneurship at Bayes Business School in London. Then pat yourself on the back for each small victory and think about how you got there to keep the momentum going. “Regular reflection on your progress and learning is crucial to adapt your strategy to keep up with evolving interests and project demands.”

Make hybrid work for you.

Take a hard look at your own work habits and adapt your schedule accordingly. “What are your most productive hours during the day? What is the best time to work at home? What are you going to do at work? Organize your life around the answers to these questions,” says Bart van Ark, managing director at the Productivity Institute in the UK. “My time is roughly 50-50 between home and office. At home, I read and write, and do one-on-one routine meetings with my staff,” he says. “When I’m in the office, I use my whole day to engage with people face-to-face.”

Enter the meetings lottery.

“Have lunch or coffee with random work colleagues. Find out how work is done in other parts of your workplace. Could you work better or differently?,” Amanda Goodall, author of Credible: The Power of Expert Leaders, says. Widening the lens beyond the minutia of your own every day stuff helps you to understand the culture of your organization and adapt accordingly — not to mention break up the day with some socializing.

Rest more.

Let’s not forget the link the between wellness and work. Van Ark, for one, has found that adding one hour of sleep makes him “a lot” more productive during the day. “You need to feel well to work hard. Sometimes you will work longer hours and if you’ve got the reserves in your body, if you’re healthy, you’ll be able to step up when necessary.”

Spice it up.

In the words of Leslie Knope, the fictional deputy director of a small-town parks department in the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation, “I hate paperwork. I hardly ever do it in my bed on a Saturday night while listening to Spice Girls CDs.” Inject some fun into tedious tasks with up-beat music or colorful stationery and writing tools. My favorite is listening to my running playlist when I’m writing my to-do list for the week.