Time management is a recurring topic in our space, and everyone approaches it differently. But the fact is — more of us feel like we don’t have enough time to do everything that needs to get done.

When we try to be as productive as possible, we often end up undermining the effectiveness of our actions. But, breaking a few bad habits can have a massive impact on our productivity and help achieve success in sales.

Here are 6 bad habits you should get rid of right away to better manage your time and be more productive.

1. Multitasking

It’s a common misconception that we are more efficient doing several things at once, but nothing could be further from the truth. According to scientific research, only 2% of the population knows how to multitask efficiently.

Tip: To increase your productivity, focus on a single task at a time to give it your full attention. It’s the managers’ role to prioritize employees’ tasks, so work with them to prioritize your tasks. Asking your supervisor won’t diminish your autonomy, and you’ll be more productive.

2. Constantly checking your email

This habit adds pressure and encourages multitasking. Every time you check your email, you lose about 25 minutes of time better spent elsewhere. Seeing emails come in creates a sense of urgency and gives the impression that the workload is increasing with each passing minute.

Tip 1: Instead of starting your day by emptying your inbox, focus on scheduling specific times in the day to process your emails. Above all, remember to turn off incoming email notifications on your computer and your smartphone. You’ll find that you’ll be calmer if you forget about your inbox for a little while.

Tip 2: When it’s time to check your email, use the TPS method: Touch, Process, Sort. This way, you won’t have to keep returning to your emails after having sorted them.

3. Keeping the most important work for later in the day

Because we often have the bad habit of starting the day by checking our emails, we miss out on the best time to perform the most time-consuming tasks: the beginning of the day.

It’s important to know that your motivation and energy levels decrease throughout the day, even though we like to think that we can remain productive the entire day.

Tip: Always start your day with the most important or challenging task and get it done when you are the most willing to do it. You can then devote yourself to less demanding work.

4. Keeping a full-day schedule

Planning might feel reassuring and gives you the impression that you can accomplish more in a day. In reality, you may feel obligated to do everything on the schedule, and more importantly, this habit leaves no room for the unexpected.

Tip: Fill up only 4 to 5 hours of your workday so you can manage new demands and unexpected events. This way, you will reduce your stress level and have the impression that you can accomplish more in a day.

5. Staying in your seat all day

When working in an office, we spend the majority of the day sitting at our desk. We email or phone our colleagues who are right next door believing we are being more efficient. In reality, sitting too long lowers our alertness and energy levels.

Tip: To stay alert and increase your productivity, start getting up and walking around to brainstorm, and make it a habit of going to see your colleagues when you have a question.

6. Accepting every meeting

Obsessive Meeting Disorder affects a majority of companies and hinders overall productivity. Nobody enjoys leaving a meeting thinking they’ve wasted their time!

Tip: Only accept meetings with clearly defined agenda and duration, and if the invitation doesn’t include this information, don’t hesitate to request it.

See Business Insider’s 6 other bad habits you should break to be

more
productive infographic, and change at least one habit today!