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9 Ways You Can Squeeze More Activity Into Your Work Day (Without Going Nuts)

Updated 6/19/2020
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No need to turn back time—these 10 tips will ensure you're making the most of your work day, and help you squeeze in an extra few projects.

There are days when working a full day feels like a bajillion years. But, there are also days when that same time frame feels like two minutes—and suddenly, the buzzer goes off and I’m finished for the day.

But making more time for yourself doesn’t require one of those time turners from Harry Potter (even though we all wish we could be Hermione Granger). In fact, all it takes is a bit of reworking your schedule, restructuring your to-do lists, and freeing up your calendar for small breaks.

Not sure what I mean? Take a look at these 10 tips to squeeze even more activity into your busy day (without leaving exhausted):

  1. Five minutes is plenty of time to get things done between meetings or calls. Don’t believe me? Here are 21 projects you most definitely can complete in that small window.

  2. If you have more than five minutes of break time, there are easily nine productive things you can do in 15 minutes.

  3. These incredibly helpful, lesser-known apps are just what you need to maximize your time.

  4. And these 17 apps will make your life a whole lot easier—and a whole lot freer.

  5. You probably didn’t know this, but every time you start your day by heading to the pantry or chat your co-worker instead of walking over to his desk, you lose valuable work minutes—here are three ways to stop stealing away your own productivity.

  6. Just because you get a lot done doesn’t mean you got the most important things done. A new study discovered why you’re always so busy, yet so inefficient.

  7. And if that’s not enough proof, here are five more reasons you can’t seem to get it all done (and five solutions!).

  8. Why not try a not-to-do list as a way to prioritize the activities that matter most.

  9. Or, scrap the to-do list all together—this surprising trick helped Muse writer Kat Boogaard get more done in the time she saved from making to-do lists and crossing items off.


Photo of Alyse Maguire

Previously an editor for The Muse, Alyse is proud to prove that yes, English majors can change the world. She’s written almost 500 articles for The Muse on anything from productivity tips to cover letters to bad bosses to cool career changers, many of which have been featured in Fast Company, Forbes, Inc., CNBC's Make It, USA Today College, Lifehacker, Mashable, and more. In addition to being an avid writer and reader, Alyse loves to dance, both professionally and while waiting for the subway. You can follow her work on her website, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

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