6 Productivity Boosts for Busy Days
Productivity boosts don’t have to be complicated or tied to rigid systems.
On busy days when your brain is foggy and you feel like you’re barely holding it together, small shifts can help you stay grounded and get something done without adding more pressure.
Ever feel like your to-do list is multiplying, your inbox is a black hole, and even deciding what’s for dinner feels impossible?
Same.
I’ve had those days where everything hits at once—work deadlines, school drama, unexpected texts, and zero energy to deal with any of it.
On days like that, you don’t need a system. You need something that helps you feel like yourself again.
Here are six things that help me stay on track when my brain is fried and the day feels heavier than it should.
1. Focus on Just One Thing
When everything feels urgent, pick one thing that actually matters. That’s it.
Ask yourself: If I only do one thing today, what’s going to move the needle or lighten the load?
Try this: Set a 20-minute timer. Do that one thing. No multitasking.
Getting something done feels way better than thinking about everything at once. And once that one thing is done, the momentum often kicks in on its own.
2. Take a Five-Minute Reset
You don’t need a full break—you just need five decent minutes.
Step outside. Stretch. Close your eyes and breathe. Anything that shakes off the brain fog.
Try this: Neck, shoulder, and back stretches are underrated. I use the Kaia Health app because it doesn’t flare up my chronic pain, and it’s actually usable during work hours.
Even standing up and walking around the room can change the energy enough to get you out of your slump.
3. Declutter Something (Tiny)
Clutter makes everything feel more overwhelming. Even a quick tidy-up can help you think clearly again.
Try this:
- Toss the random paper pile on your desk.
- Delete 10 useless emails.
- Drag your desktop chaos into folders.
Little changes like this make it easier to focus.
You don’t need a color-coded filing system. You just need a clear surface and fewer tabs open.
4. Shrink the Big Stuff
That task you’re avoiding? It’s probably too big.
Break it into steps that feel like no big deal. Outline. Title. First sentence. Done.
Try this: I don’t “write blog posts.” I name them. Then I outline them. Then I write the intro. One small piece at a time keeps me moving.
This also helps if perfectionism is creeping in. Starting tiny lowers the pressure to “do it right” on the first try.
5. Use a Basic Timer
You don’t need a productivity system. You just need to protect your time a little better.
Try this:
- Set a 25-minute timer
- Put your phone on Do Not Disturb
- Take a short break when the timer hits
Repeat once if it helps. Or don’t. Either way, you showed up.
Timers create a clear boundary so you’re not sitting there wondering when to stop or how long you’ve been scrolling.
6. Rest on Purpose
You’re allowed to take breaks—even if you didn’t “earn” them. That’s not how energy works.
Try this:
- Block off 15 minutes for absolutely nothing
- Sit. Scroll. Knit. Lay down. Stare at a wall.
Sometimes that’s all it takes to feel a little more human again.
If it feels weird to rest while things are still unfinished, remind yourself that rest is what helps you get things finished in the first place.
Putting It Into Practice
You don’t need to do all six of these today.
Pick one. Pick two. Come back to the others later.
You’re doing better than you think. And getting through the day is more than enough.
Before You Go
Which one of these six are you trying today? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear what’s actually working for you.
And if you’ve got a go-to move I didn’t mention here, share it below. Someone else might need it today.
PS: If today’s not the day for systems, that’s okay. But if you’re in a headspace to build something more sustainable later, I wrote about that, too: Why Creating Systems Is the Key to Achieving Big Wins.