There’s a reason that “excellent time management skills” is such a common bullet point amongst many job listings these days. More and more, employers are looking for candidates who can do more in less time, and who can do so effectively. But there is only so much time in the workday, and as any employer who cares for their employees knows, work-life balance is important. So how do you bump up your productivity in the workplace without spending too much extra time at the office?

Here are a few ways you can do so:

1. Be wary of multitasking. It may seem counter-intuitive, but focusing on more than one task at once often results in being less thorough and accomplishing less in a given time. While there are definitely times when multitasking is helpful, if not necessary, it’s important to know when to hone in on one project at a time. Making this your rule and knowing when to allow for a few exceptions is often the best way to improve not only the quantity, but the quality, of your work.
2. Organize tasks in order of difficulty and prioritize. This way, you can spread your projects out and plan the more difficult ones for when you have the most energy. If you’re a morning person, get your more tiresome activities out of the way as early as you can. If you don’t function well until your third cup of coffee, perhaps it’s best to save them for the afternoon. You know yourself better than anyone else—use that knowledge to put your energy to good use when it’s most available.
3. Use a calendar and plan ahead of time. Offices commonly use Microsoft Outlook for scheduling meetings and projects, as the software allows you to flag follow-ups, invite others to your events, and organize priorities effectively. Another great option with the same tools is Google Calendar. Keeping a physical calendar or pocket planner can also be beneficial, but these mediums lack the feature that many often find to be a lifesaver in busy times: the automated reminder. Whichever you choose, start planning your day the night before, either at home or before you leave the office. Take note of what’s been done and what is still left to do so you can get to work as soon as you arrive.
4. Plan breaks. Even plan tentative breaks. Everyone needs them, and even a quick pause to grab a cup of coffee or walk a lap around the office can reenergize you. Have a few minute-long breaks scheduled throughout your day and allow yourself a small number of unplanned ones for when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Even if it’s just leaning back in your chair, closing your eyes, and taking a deep breath, taking this mini vacation can help you work faster once you return to the task at hand than if you were to power through it.
5. Minimize distractions. It’s been proven that loose social media policies actually boost employee productivity, but if you find yourself easily distracted by Facebook or your phone, it may be time to power off. Tell yourself that you’ll reconnect when you take your next short break and close out any distracting tabs. If you think it might help, turn off your cell phone. Not only will you work faster, you’ll finish faster without the distractions, and can then reward yourself with one of your allotted breaks or a quick text. Sometimes, delayed gratification is the best motivator.