First, you have to realise that it’s not about how much time you have, but how much energy you can squeeze out.
Based on that, let’s jump straight in.

1. Find a balance between sleep, exercise and nutrition. If you’re feeling sluggish it’s really because you probably aren’t eating properly, sleeping enough and exercising. Take time to sort these things out and you’ll see your energy levels will more than double, which will help you do more work and stay focused for longer.

2. Don’t put off what you can do now. If you receive an email, for example that will take you less than three minutes to reply to, do it immediately. Marking it to read later is counter-productive. Get it out of the way so that it doesn’t bug you.

3. Know what matters. Just because you’re busy, doesn’t mean you’re productive. For example, is what you’re doing right now adding value to your job and your career or is it just another thing that’s keeping you busy?

4. Start with a plan. Before you start working, make a realistic to-do list and decide which task is actually important and which task is just nonsense. This will save you time later in the day. Also make sure that you don’t spend your entire morning planning what to do for the second half of the day.

5. Separate small tasks from larger ones. While you’re busy with your to-do list make sure you separate the small tasks from the larger ones – the ones that are important as opposed to the ones that are less important.

6. Start with the most important task. While all your focus and attention is on getting the most out of your day, do the most important task first. Once it’s completed you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment and want to the next big task just as well.

7. Designate time to each task. If you have a clear understanding of the amount of time a certain task should take you, set a strict time limit to complete it. That means not chatting to anyone around, switching off your emails, putting on your headphones of you have to, just make sure you get the task done.

8. Learn to say no. Don’t go to unimportant meetings or respond to emails that will only distract you from your job. Say no and get on with the more important things.

9. Give your mind a break. Avoid eating lunch at your desk. No matter how tempting it is to stay at your desk “to get more done”, your mind needs to rest in order to refocus. Go for a walk – it doesn’t have to be a long one hour stroll, just going for a walk around your building will do.

10. Commit. If you want to be really good at something, don’t just do it one or twice a week, make time to do it every day. There are no shortcuts in life and the sooner you realise that it takes hard work to eventually do smart work, you’ll get more done and get ahead in your career.

11. Add some pressure. If what you’re doing is no longer challenging you, consider adding in actual targets or asking your manager to add the targets to your performance plan. For example, if you run a social media site, you have to increase your following by 30% in 4 weeks. You might find that your best work comes from pressure and looming deadlines.

12. Wear your earphones. If you wear your earphones all day you’ll come across as too busy to deal with anything else. You don’t have to be listening to anything – all you want to do is just create the illusion that you can’t be disturbed. That way no one will bug you unless it’s super urgent.

13. Improve your memory by writing everything down. If you know you’ll forget to do something the following day, write it down, set a reminder for yourself in your calendar, put up a post-it note on your computer, whatever you do, get it out of your mind immediately to ensure you don’t forget to do it.

http://www.careers24.com/career-advice/work-life/13-best-tips-to-maximise-productivity-20140703