10 expert tips to be more productive in 2016

By Rich Bellis, Fast Company

As work-life issues go, productivity is as inexhaustible a topic as you can find. There's virtually no end of ways to manage time better, cut out distractions, and stay organized.

One reason for the endless discussion is that each of us is so different—saddled or equipped, as the case may be, with our own personality quirks, working habits, and task-lists to conquer.

So we've asked some of our most prolific contributors to share their top productivity tips. Hopefully these 10 strategies can help you make 2016 your most productive year yet.

1. Hit "Pause" between tasks

You know how YouTube automatically serves you another video after you've finished watching the one you wanted to see? Author and researcher Dr. Josh Davis cautions against becoming a human YouTube channel. "Right before you start a task, take a moment—it doesn't have to be more than a minute or two, he says, "and ask yourself, 'Is this something that really matters to me today?'"

That can feel "like a waste of time," Davis concedes, "but those pauses are brief. What really wastes time is getting going on a task that isn't so important, only to see the whole morning pass you by."

2. Throw in the towel (temporarily)

Intractable problems can become black holes. So Scott Eblin has this advice: "Quit thinking about it. There’s a ton of interesting new research out that proves we need to leave time in our days for unconscious thought. It’s during those times that the best ideas (and solutions) pop up."

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