1. Have a conducive work-desk
A productive work day starts with a conducive workdesk. How is your work desk like? Is it messy or organized? Is it easy to find items? If you have a messy workspace, you will feel disorganized and sluggish. You won’t even feel like doing anything since it’s so disorganized. Whereas if you have a nice, tidy and organized workspace, you’ll be inspired to get work done. You can find your things easily rather than waste precious minutes sieving through your pile of papers for something you saw just a while ago.
Read #2 Maintain a work environment conducive to productivity and #3 Have an organized workspace in 13 Strategies To Jumpstart Your Productivity for more on creating a conducive work environment.
2. Plan your to-do list the night before
Most people plan their to-do list on the day itself, which isn’t as effective as planning their list the day before. When you plan the list on the day itself, it’s reactive planning, since the day has already started. You’re already off on a late start. On the other hand, when you prepare it the day before, you can get off and running once you wake up.
3. Create a robust to-do list
Your to-do list determines your focus for the day. It’s important you carefully select what you want to do for the day.

Create a draft list first. Write down the things you want to do, from what you have in your calendar, appointments, your projects list, your goals, etc.
Identify your 80/20 tasks. Then, split the tasks into 2 columns. 1st column contains 20% of the tasks that, when you accomplish them, will make the biggest difference in your life. The 20% tasks are your Quadrant 2 tasks. 2nd column contains 80% of the tasks that are not going to make much of a difference whether you do them or not. These are your Quadrant 1/3/4 tasks. You’ll find that the tasks in the 1st column are usually the ones that get put off to the next day, while the tasks in the 2nd column takes up the bulk of your time.
Increase your 20% tasks. The key behind a winning to-do list is to have more 20% tasks. The more 20% tasks you do, the more results you’ll get.
Decrease your 80% tasks. Since 80% tasks are low value, cut them out where possible. The more you cut out, the more time you have on the 20% gems. See if you can (1) delegate them (2) put them off – this is the one time when procrastination works in your favor! (3) or even skip them entirely. Keep the ones which have to be done.

4. Focus on your 20% tasks
As you start your day, be clear of your 20% tasks. Write them down on a post-it note and pin it in front of you. These are your primary objectives for the day; everything else is secondary.
5. Go with your “flow”

> don’t stick to a 9-6 mentality
> follow your inspiration source
> check FB/twitter if I want

6. Batch the 80% tasks
Since the 80% tasks are low-value, there’s no need to spend too much time on them. Batch them together, then set aside a small block of time to clear them away. These tend to be little, administrative tasks, so doing them together saves time and energy.
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Yes, ruthlessly employ the 80/20 rule:

decide you most important tasks, start with them and focus on them throughout the day.

Start with the hard task first usually the ones you tend to postpone.

Other tips include:

- Plan your day - the night before
- Create morning routines
- Block time for deep work
- Quit multitasking
- Regulate dopamine
- Aim to finish projects

Learn more here:

https://stevewinroad.com/8-ways-to-become-more-productive-and-motivated/