Have your work cut out

Get more done in less time for extra leisure to enjoy

Work in timed bursts

“A technique I use to power through tasks I’m procrastinating over is the Pomodoro timer,” says productivity expert Lee Garrett. ‘It’s a simple premise: choose a task, work on it for 25 minutes solidly, then take a five-minute break.” That’s one pomodoro (the name comes from the Italian for tomato, after its inventor’s round red kitchen timer, in case you’re wondering). “You’ll build momentum,” says Garrett. “I find myself forgoing the break because I don’t want to ruin the flow.”

Schedule busy times

Don’t worry, you’ll enjoy it. A study by the University of California found that workers tend to be happiest when doing mundane tasks – probably because it provides the dopamine hit created by accomplishment without the stress of more challenging work. The secret is to plan it for your slumps: rather than waste your post-coffee 10am buzz on ploughing through invoices, save that for the 3pm lull and use your creative bursts wisely.

Be more happy

You’ve always suspected it, but now there’s proof: a 2015 study of 700 people found that strategic “happiness shocks” – a snack or a comedy clip, say – made workers more productive, while real-world shocks like mourning or family matters had a negative effect. If your employer doesn’t take workplace happiness seriously, assume responsibility yourself – use a five-minute breaks to write down two things you’re pleased about on a sticky note, then power through.