By
eHow Careers & Work Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Step1
Set the alarm. Becoming more productive starts with getting up early on a regular basis. Try getting out of bed 30 minutes earlier than usual. Break the snooze-button habit and actually get up the first time the alarm rings.
Step2
Cut back on caffeine and sugar. While both can give you a slight boost when you are tiring, they result is a crash after the effects wear off. Try to maintain a stable energy level throughout the day. Instead of coffee in the afternoon, try a small sugar-free snack instead.
Step3
Take catnaps. Small 5 to 10 minute catnaps in the afternoon can keep you fresh and productive through the afternoon when people tend to drag and lose energy. You'll also feel more energetic and able to tackle small evening projects.
Step4
Exercise regularly. Develop a routine of exercise at a time when you can do it on a regular basis. Mornings are good for getting a good start on the day and helping you wake up. An afternoon routine can give you a second wind for evening activities.
Step5
Cut down on web surfing. Surfing at work can drastically cut into productive time. Companies can also install programs that see where you spend time on their computers. Set aside a bit of time to surf from home before bed.
Step6
Curb the tendency to be a social butterfly. It's good to develop friendships at work and at home, but too much time spent on the phone or text-messaging can be a drain on productivity. Focus on the tasks you have to complete before you spend time socializing.
Step7
Find mentors. Having a mentor to look up to and gain valuable insights from is a terrific tool for improving personal productivity. You can learn from mistakes that they've made and learn how to better yourself in any endeavor.
