By Jane Sandwood

Do you often hit the afternoon wall? You know, that time of day when your concentration is terrible and every item on your to-do list seems impossible. The Internet Marketing Association has already discussed ways that interruptions harm your productivity, but in this article, we will look at how to overcome obstacles to stay productive throughout the workday.

Learn to Delegate

When you want to improve the job satisfaction and morale of your staff, you need to give them more responsibilities. This is what delegation is about. There is always the risk that the job won’t be done right, but you can minimize the risks by delegating responsibilities to workers with a strong track record. Delegating not only gets some items off your plate, but it will also help employees gain experience that will allow them to take other time-suckers off your hands.

Break up Your Day with Exercise

Research shows that your brain functions better when you get physical exercise. And, this leads to increased productivity. You will also find it easier to get along with others, you learn faster, are more creative, and have improved concentration while working. One UK study found that workers who use the company gym during lunch had better interactions with coworkers and were more productive than those who did not.

Don’t Multitask

Multitasking is the kryptonite to the productivity Superman. Several studies show that it can reduce your productivity by up to 40 percent and even lower your IQ. Instead of multitasking, give one task your full attention before going on to the next thing. If you feel tempted to jump from task-to-task, make note of what is tempting your attention and come back to it later.

Avoid Pigging out at Lunch Time

The afternoon wall we mentioned above is mainly caused by the crash following a heavy lunch. Instead of filling up on fatty processed foods at lunch, try snacking on foods high in antioxidants, fiber, and protein. And, use your lunch time to get some exercise. Also, avoid energy drinks and other sugary foods. The energy they provide is fleeting.

Eat the Frog

One of Mark Twain’s famous quotes goes something like this: “If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.” What Twain is saying is that you should tackle your toughest, most labor-intensive projects first when your mind is at its freshest.

With these tools, you can count on getting the most out of each day.