Ten Items to Improve Productivity

It's the middle of the week which means most of us are in a little bit of a midweek slump. If you're struggling to be productive today, I'm bringing you ten items that just might help you make a turn for the better. Some of these items you might already have, and some you might need to pick up. Take a look at the ten items you need to improve productivity in 2016:

1. Water Bottle: Keep a water bottle at your desk (the bigger the better) to keep from having to get up to go back and forth to the kitchen for a glass of H20. A larger water bottle is perfect for this because it allows you to fill up once or twice and be done with it. 

2. Desk Calendar: Closing your tabs or opening up your Google calendar just to see the date is time consuming (and annoying). Pick up a desk calendar for quick glances at the date. I love mine from Karen Adams Designs because it doesn't take up a lot of space (and is beautiful, too!). 

3. Comfortable Headphones: Tune out distractions with a pair of comfortable headphones or earbuds. I never knew what I was missing until I scooped up a pair of over ear Bose headphones. They are so comfortable that I can wear them for hours at a time. 

4. Notepads: Pick up cute notepads as you come across them. I love finding mine in the dollar section at Target or in paper boutiques around town. My fresh list notepad from Matrick and Eve is one of my favorites!

5. Lamp: While it might not seem necessary with overhead lighting, the soft glow of a lamp can be so much more soothing and easier on the eyes. I use mine daily, and it casts the most glorious glow on my desk. 

6. Jawbone: I mentioned earlier that I received a Jawbone Up3 as one of my Christmas gifts. Set reminders on your phone to have your Jawbone buzz slightly at opportune times throughout the day. 

7. File folders: Like notepads, file folders help keep things organized. Since starting my business, I am trying to be dedicated about keeping receipts, invoices, and other paperwork in specific, designated places. Plus, cute file folders can be found just about anywhere (although I've seen some some of the cutest at TJMaxx).

8. External hard drives: Clean up precious computer space with external hard drives. A few hours spent transferring files will be well worth it once you have more space (and zero anxiety about crashing computers). 

9. Colorful pens: If you are a paper calendar kind of gal, colorful pens are your new BFF. Designate certain colors for certain obligations. Pink for meetings, blue for appointments, green for personal events. Your calendar will be so fun you'll actually want to fill it in (and look at it later!).

10. Trays, pencil holders, etc.: Make sure everything on your desk's surface has a home. That means pens and pencils in a holder and stray papers in a tray. Not only will this make your desk cleaner, but you won't be too easily distracted. Just don't forget to clean that tray out from time to time!