Slow Down to Do More

We all suffer the mid-afternoon slump: that lethargic, lack-of-motivation apathy that sets in and kicks our internal engine to idle. Instead of willing yourself to sludge through it slowly and painfully, do the opposite. Embrace it. Give yourself permission to take a 5 or 10 minute mental break.

Still frustrated with yourself and your productivity? Consider slowing down instead of speeding up, author Loretta LaRoche says. Our brain functions better and is more productive when it focuses on one particular task at a time. So, instead of beating yourself up to speed up and get more accomplished, focus on one goal, complete it and go on to another.

“Frustration stems from your inner critic and only serves to make us crazed,” LaRoche says. “Have fun. There are no tombstones that say, ‘Did everything, died anyway.’”