Working a 9-5, 40 hour workweek can sometimes be a daunting task. Doing similar tasks every day, or even a variety of tasks, can be cumbersome and downright boring. Attention spans are at an all time low thanks to smartphones, TVs, and (arguably) the number one distraction, the internet. So how do we combat this reality? There are three things you can do right now to be an active participant in this raging productivity battle:

Give in to temptation and take mental breaks during the day. You might be asking, why take a break and do something that is the opposite of getting work done? How can that possibly increase productivity? Well, according to research by the Draugiem Group, people who take multiple breaks during the day actually boost their productivity at work. This is because you’re essentially giving in and telling your brain it’s okay to be interested in something other than work for 5 minutes. This way, you can relax your mind and be even more focused once you begin working again.

Get out of the office for lunch. If you’re one of those people who always works through lunch - stop! Being outside of the office or even changing your atmosphere and eating with other people will break up your monotonous routine from day to day. A change in scenery can be very good for reducing stress and helping you feel refreshed once you get back to the office. You’ll definitely be ready to work!

Give yourself realistic goals on what must be completed each day. Working towards short-term goals makes room for motivation. If you challenge yourself to complete certain tasks during the day, meeting these goals will bring you a rewarding feeling that you’ve accomplished what you said you would - thus mastering time management. It is rumored that setting goals allows you to be a bit more focused, and focus is the key to success in this area.

Once you begin implementing these three simple steps, you are certain to boost your productivity and be more equipped to fight the battle of distraction.

Can you think of other ways to increase productivity? Comment below!