8 Habits of Highly Productive People

By Alexandra Gekas
While your co-workers start every day enjoying a cup oI coIIee together in the break room, you're
barely able to Iind time to call your doctor. While they're taking lunches, you're rushing through
another meal at your desk. Sound Iamiliar? Here's the good news: This apparent discrepancy may
not mean you've got a bigger workload or that you're a harder worker. Instead, it may mean that
they've mastered certain time-saving skills and habits that you haven't-until now. From prioritizing
your workload to learning which projects don't need to be perIect, read on to discover eight
workplace habits that'll boost your productivity and lower your stress levels
1. They make it a point to take breaks. Americans seem to think that constantly working is
synonymous with being productive, but unless your brain is Iunctioning at its maximum level, you
may not be getting as much work done as you think. "|Taking breaks| is like hitting the reset button.
It helps you empty out your 'brain cache' so you have room to reIill it," says Christine Hohlbaum,
author oI The Power of Slow. 101 Ways to Save Time in Our 24/7 World. First and Ioremost, she
recommends taking lunch every day-and leaving your desk to do it. "When you have a 'working
lunch,' it's just not very eIIicient. At some point you're going to lose attention," she says.
Ultimately, eating while you work will cause you to suIIer on two Ironts: you won't be able to pay
attention to your Iood-a sureIire way to overeat-and you won't be giving your work the proper
attention it deserves. In addition to a "real" lunch break, Hohlbaum suggests allotting time Ior other
breaks as well. She recommends taking Iive minutes in the morning, beIore starting work, and at
least a 10- to 15-minute break in the aIternoon. Whether you take a short walk, read a book or stare
out oI the window with a cup oI tea, it'll help you recharge and improve your overall productivity.
"It's really important to take time oII because otherwise your brain will reach a saturation point,"
Hohlbaum says, explaining that when this happens, it becomes hard to Iocus on even the simplest
task. "At that point, you need to push away Irom your computer and take a break."
heck out 8 ways to get ahead at work.
2. They start their day off on the right foot. According to a recent study at the Fisher College oI
Business at Ohio State University, iI an employee is in a bad mood when they arrive at work-
whether because oI Iamilial problems or a stressIul commute-it can decrease their productivity by
as much as 10 that day. So unless you come in to the oIIice every day in a great mood (and who
does?), start your day with 5 to 10 minutes oI time dedicated to decompressing. "Create a ritual.
Maybe it's meeting in the coIIee break room or going around the oIIice to greet everyone. It doesn't
matter what you do, as long as you Ioster a sense oI connection |with your coworkers|," Says
Holhbaum. "Swinging by to say 'hi' to your colleagues when you walk in gives you a sense oI
Iocus. When you Ieel you're part oI a bigger eIIort, you Ieel more connected to why you're there and
that can make all the diIIerence in the world." Re-Iocusing your mind at the beginning oI the day
will also create a sense oI calm, helping you to disregard outside stressors and zero in on your daily
tasks. "II we're actually able to start the day centered, then we'll have a longer tolerance period
beIore we get oII track," Holhbaum says.
3. They make mindful food choices. You are what you eat, and eating a heavy mid-day meal will
oIten make you Ieel lethargic Ior the rest oI the aIternoon. "Consider what you're eating at lunch. II
you're having that post-pasta slump at 2 p.m., and need java or cookies to pep back up, maybe you
should try a salad or something a bit lighter so you won't lag," suggests Hohlbaum. The key is
keeping your blood sugar levels steady throughout the day, according to Kari Kooi, RD, corporate
wellness dietician at The Methodist Hospital in Houston, who recommends three light meals and
two snacks at regular intervals. "Heavy meals can make you Ieel sluggish because they require
more energy to digest," Kooi says. "|A quality lunch| will consist oI a Iiber-rich carbohydrate, like
water-rich veggies, and a lean protein, like chicken or Iish," she says. And what does Kooi suggest
you avoid? "A highly processed meal, like some oI the Irozen meals in the grocery store, will not
give you the sustainable energy you need. The less processed the better when it comes to keeping
your energy levels up." When you hit that midday slump, Kooi suggests going Ior proteins like
mixed nuts and Iruit instead oI the usual energy-zapping pretzels, cookies or candy, which cause
your blood sugar levels to spike and then drop and may even make you hungrier, according to Kooi.
Discover 7 foods that boost every type of bad mood.
. They keep a flexible to-do list. Making a daily list oI to-dos is a great way to stay on top oI your
work. However, there is one pitIall-it can make you inIlexible. "A lot oI people Ieel their day's been
wrecked iI they have to change their plan, but the most eIIective people understand that's part oI the
job," says Vicki Milazzo, author oI Wicked Success Is Inside Every Woman. "I always start my day
with a plan, but by 9 a.m. I've busted that plan." However, according to Paula Rizzo, a master list-
maker and Iounder oI ListProducer.com, it's important to keep some Iorm oI a to-do list, no matter
how much your day changes. For example, Rizzo begins her days with a master list, which she
continually updates throughout the course oI the day to note the items that haven't been done or to
add tasks as they crop up. BeIore leaving work, Rizzo will make a Iresh list Ior the next day. The
key, she says, is reIerencing the changing list throughout the day to keep herselI on course. "Just
putting a little extra work into it will keep you on track."
. They use technology with intent. In today's 24/7 all-access world, it's hard to get a handle on
technology use. While it's impossible to avoid it altogether, you can be disciplined about how much
time you spend perusing the Web. Set aside a speciIic time, say 15 minutes aIter lunch, to scroll
through your social networking sites or other Iavorite websites-and stick to it. Or try something like
Google Chrome's website blocker, which allows you to set restrictions to your online time by either
totally blocking your Iavorite websites or just restricting the timeIrames within which you are
allowed to check them. In addition to surIing the Internet, it's important to watch your email habits.
Whether you give yourselI 15 to 30 minutes at a set time each day to check your personal email, or
you allow yourselI brieI intervals between tasks, Holhbaum says the key is to be very mindIul oI
the time you're spending checking your non-work inbox. "Have a very clear distinction between
what's personal and what's work. II that's a part oI your 'OK I need to zone out Ior a little bit' time,
that's Iine. But you need to be clear and be mindIul oI what you're doing." Even work-related emails
can become a distraction iI not properly managed. Ask yourselI iI email is the best method oI
communication, or iI you're better oII calling the person. "Sending 100 emails isn't |always| going
to be the most productive thing. And as we know, emails beget emails. They're like little rabbits,"
Hohlbaum jokes. "II it's a one-way communication, Ior example Iorwarding an airplane itinerary,
you don't need to have any answer |so email works|. But iI you want detail or you know the person
won't respond right away by email, pick up the phone," she says.
Learn 1 keyboard shortcuts you probably don't know.
6. They balance their workload. DiIIerent tasks require diIIerent levels oI concentration, which
you can use to your advantage. Start by identiIying-and placing-the tasks you have into two
categories: weeds and intensive work. Weeds are small, manageable things such as handling email,
phone calls and minor organizational tasks. Intensive work is anything that requires an extended
period oI concentration, such as management tasks, preparing presentations, writing or editing.
"Miscellaneous routine tasks are like weeds in your garden; we all have them, and no matter how
oIten we try to get rid oI them, they never go away," says Milazzo. "Yet they do have to be handled,
and pulling a Iew weeds can provide a restorative break Irom more intensive work." Milazzo
recommends splitting up long sessions oI intensive work with regular 15- to 30-minute intervals oI
weed pulling. This way, you'll accomplish a variety oI tasks while not burning out on one type oI
work.
7. They put perfectionism in its place. While turning in perIect work has been encouraged since
kindergarten, that attitude can be counterproductive iI it's not managed. It's important to pick your
battles. "Women, by nature, are somewhat perIectionist," says Milazzo. "So we need to distinguish
what requires perIectionism," she says. OI course you want to put your best Ioot Iorward in all
situations, but iI you're strapped Ior time, prioritize. II, Ior example, you're writing an inIormal
memo or email to a co-worker, give it a quick look and spell-check it, but resist the urge to re-read
it three times over. II, on the other hand, you're creating a brochure Ior your company or preparing
an important presentation, then that's the time to put all oI your perIectionist tendencies to good use.
Find out how to think like a man-and reap the rewards.
8. They know how to say "no." It's easy to get distracted or overwhelmed at work. But one oI the
secrets oI highly productive people is that they learn when and how to say "no." For starters, say
"no" to whiners, complainers and distracting people. One way to do that, according to Rizzo, is by
wearing headphones. "That sends the message that you're busy and it drowns out the noise as well,"
she says. When it comes time to say "no" to the boss, tread lightly but Iirmly. You don't have to
spell out n-o per se; rather, ask her to prioritize what's most important given what's on your plate.
"When an employee does that, the boss usually comes to their senses and they get it," Milazzo says.
"You don't want to make your boss the enemy; you want your boss to know you're there Ior the
company, and that you're there Ior them. II they know that, they're more likely to listen to what you
say."

1 Keyboard Shortcuts You Probably Don't

Know
Nuvlgute your computer more euxlly wlth the puxh of u few buttonx
By AmunJu 0reene PoxteJ ecember S, from Womunxuy.com
Most expert computer users know the basic keyboard shortcuts, like pressing Control (Ctrl) P on
a PC to print a document. But did you know there are plenty oI other useIulnot to mention pretty
darn coolkey combinations out there? From instantly zooming in to a larger view to quickly
closing your browser window, these shortcuts will put the World Wide Web and more at your
Iingertipsbecause every second counts.
1. Add a Bookmark

Tab your new Iavorite website Ior easy access by bookmarking the page with the Iollowing quick
trick.
PC: Ctrl D
Mac: Apple key (see right) D
2. Delete Forever
When you know you want to nix a Iile Ioreverinstead oI sending it to clog up the recycling bin
Iirsttap the keys below.
PC: ShiIt Delete
3. lose Browser
Whether your boss walks up while you're reading gossip blogs or your husband comes in the room
while you're buying him a giIt, close your browser, stat, with this shortcut.
PC: Alt F4
Mac: Ctrl Q

. Show Desktop
II you have lots oI windows open on your computer and you want quick access to your desktopor
a super-quick way to hide your workhit the Iollowing keys.
PC: Window key (see right) D
Mac: F11
. Find Files or Folders
Forget painstakingly searching all oI your Iolders to Iind one Iile. The shortcut below will do the
searching Ior you.
PC: Window key F
Mac: Apple key (see right) F
6. hange Zoom Level
Whether you're working on the Web or in a word processing program, zoom in or out with this
command.
PC: Ctrl scroll mouse wheel
Mac: Apple key plus sign; Apple key minus sign
7. Reopen Previous Tab in Browser
Have you ever accidentally closed the browser tab you were looking at and had to spend time
backtracking to Iind it again? The shortcut below will restore that page to you almost instantly.
PC: Ctrl ShiIt T
Mac: Apple key Z
8. Switch Between Open Programs
Navigating between open screens can get conIusing. Make it easy to move among all your
programs with this quick trick.
PC: Alt Tab
Mac: Apple key Tab
9. Take a Screen Shot
Capture an image oI what you're working on instantly with a screen grabit's particularly useIul
Ior Web pages you can't copy and paste.
PC: Print Screen (then paste |Ctrl V| into a Word document)
Mac: Apple key ShiIt 3
10. Refresh a Webpage
Whether you're waiting Ior a new email to arrive or the latest news story to pop up, easily reIresh
your screen using the keys below.
PC: F5, or Ctrl R
Mac: Apple key R
11. Go to a Previous Location in Browser
Time travel with the neat shortcut below, which lets you quickly go back to the webpage you were
looking at beIore your current one.
PC: Alt
Mac: Apple key |
12. Spelling/Grammar heck
No more excuses: PerIect spelling and grammar is just one keystroke away.
PC or Mac: F7
13. Add "http://www" to Your Browser's Address Bar
The quickest route to your online destination? Just type in the name oI the webpage you'd like to go
to (Ior example, type "Google"), then press the Iollowing keys to add the "http://www." to the
beginning and ".com" to the end.
PC: Ctrl Enter
Mac: Apple key Enter
1. Select the Address Bar
When you want to quickly type a new URL into your browser, the shortcut below will easily select
the address bar Ior you, so you can start typing without moving your mouse.
PC: Ctrl L, or F6
Mac: Apple key L
1. Launch the Windows Start Menu
Just tap the keys below Ior an easy way to view your Start Menu options.
PC: Window key, or Ctrl Esc