The UK workplace is evolving, but some habits—like overlong meetings and underused breaks—still persist. With hybrid working and a push for better work-life balance, it’s time to rethink how we approach productivity. Here are five evidence-based hacks to help you work smarter, not longer.
1. Time-Block Your Day
Instead of reacting to emails and Slack messages all day, set aside specific blocks of time for focused work. Research shows that it takes an average of 23 minutes to refocus after an interruption. By batching similar tasks together and protecting your deep work time, you can dramatically increase your output.
Try this: Use the first 90 minutes of your workday for your most important task. Turn off notifications and let your team know you’re in focus mode.
2. Master the Art of the 25-Minute Meeting
The default meeting length doesn’t have to be an hour. Many discussions can be covered in 25 minutes—especially if you have a clear agenda and a strong facilitator. Shorter meetings keep everyone engaged and leave buffer time for breaks or catching up on other work.
Try this: Challenge yourself to cut your next meeting time in half. Send the agenda beforehand and start on time, every time.
3. Take Strategic Breaks
Working through lunch or skipping breaks might seem productive, but it actually reduces performance. The brain needs rest to consolidate information and maintain focus. Taking regular breaks—even just a five-minute walk—can boost creativity and problem-solving.
Try this: Follow the 52-17 rule: work for 52 minutes, then take a 17-minute break. Or try the Pomodoro Technique with 25-minute work sessions.
4. Automate Repetitive Tasks
How much time do you spend on tasks that could be automated? From email filters to scheduling tools, there are countless ways to reduce repetitive work. Even simple automation—like templates for common responses or macros for data entry—can save hours each week.
Try this: Identify one repetitive task you do weekly and find a tool or template to streamline it. Popular options include Zapier for workflow automation and TextExpander for frequent responses.
5. Understand Your Energy Patterns
Not all hours are created equal. Most people have natural energy peaks and troughs throughout the day. Pay attention to when you feel most alert and creative, then schedule your most demanding work for those windows.
Try this: Track your energy levels for a week. Note when you feel most focused and when you hit slumps. Adjust your schedule to align high-priority tasks with your peak performance times.
The Bottom Line
Working longer hours doesn’t equal better results. By being intentional about how you structure your day, manage your energy, and eliminate time-wasters, you can achieve more while maintaining a healthier work-life balance. Start with one of these hacks this week and notice the difference.
How DISCflow Can Help
Understanding your team’s behavioral styles can dramatically improve productivity. With DISCflow’s behavioral assessments, you can identify how different team members work best, communicate most effectively, and what motivates them. This insight helps you create more efficient workflows and reduce friction in collaboration.
Ready to transform how your team works together? Explore our DISC assessments and coaching tools to unlock your team’s full potential.
