Being Productive is a fickle thing. At one point you’re motivated to get as much work done as possible, and the next moment you’ve got your head on the table asking yourself why you ever started this job in the first place. Luckily there’s some very simple tricks you can do to get you back up and running. We’ve listed a few of them below:

Take a Break
It’s not possible for the human mind to focus constantly on one task for 8 hours at a time. Even with a lunch break inbetween, it’s incredibly difficult and it can kill your work ethic. The trick to curbing this Productivity killing streak, is to take breaks every hour or so. But don’t take out your lunch and browse Facebook. Get on your feet and get out of the office. Go for a walk in the park. Or around the block. If you push yourself to the limit for short periods of time and then take small breaks in between, it can be a lot more productive than one long work stretch.

Hide Your Phone
Cell phones can be the number one productivity killer in the workplace. It sits on your table, peering at you from out of the corner of your eye and as soon as it buzzes you drop everything you’re doing and grab it to see who’s answered your latest text. The worst of it is that it doesn’t only distract you, it distracts the entire work environment. As soon as a Phone rings, everyone turns their head to see if it’s theirs and it breaks their concentration just long enough for them to lose their thought pattern. Rather switch it off, put it on silent and then put it in a jacket pocket or in your bag. You, and your co-workers, will be better off for it.

Running Late
Every now and again everyone has those days. Those days where the alarm didn’t go off. The hot water wasn’t on. Your transport was late. It happens. But instead of sprinting into the office in a hurry, spluttering out excuses as to why you couldn’t make it in on time, do a coffee run. You’ll show up calm and collected and instead of being showered with questions as to where you were, everyone will praise you for being their saving grace. And if coffee isn’t an option, then morning muffins or scones also work quite well.