How to Make Your Workday Fun and Productive

They say if you choose a job you love, you’ll never work a day in your life… right?!

Wrong!!

Work is still work, even if you love it. (Especially if you love it.)

Because some work tasks will (probably always) feel like a job. Like answering emails and bookkeeping. But there are a few things you can do to make your workday a bit more fun—while still being insanely productive.

Because all work and no play is no way to go about your day!!

(This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase using these links.)

10 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR WORKDAY FUN AND PRODUCTIVE

When it comes to our workdays, I think we could all stand to take a page out of Mary Poppins’ book. You know:

“In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun.”

Because whoever said work had to be dull and boring?!

Not Mary Poppins, that’s for sure. 😉

If you’re ready to make your workday a bit more fun while still being insanely productive, then keep right on reading!!

1 | PRETTY/CUTE/COLORFUL MUGS, BOTTLES, AND TUMBLERS

#nobutreally, they make drinking coffee and water FUNNER.

Plus, keeping yourself hydrated as well as caffeinated is imperative to keeping you (and your workday) running smoothly and competently. (I don’t know about you but I’m pretty much useless until I’ve had my morning cup of productivity juice.)

Pro Tip: Instead of reaching for another cup of coffee during the dreaded mid-afternoon slump, get yourself a tumbler full of ice water. Dehydration can often be disguised as feeling tired or sluggish, which can lead to a drop in productivity.

2 | FABULOUS OFFICE SUPPLIES

It may sound silly, but I’m completely convinced that fabulous office supplies make you more productive. Colorful notebooks, sassy post-its, pretty planners, cute paperclips, and all get my productive stamp of approval. 🙌🏻

Pro Tip: Write out your to-do list on a fabulous notepad or in a pretty planner. You’ll have more fun checking off those to-dos as you do them, I promise. That’s right, I said it: To-dos can be pretty, too!!

3 | PRETTY/INSPIRING TECH BACKGROUNDS

I love using stock photos, quote graphics that I make myself, brand photos, or personal photos to change up the backgrounds on all of my devices each month. What I pick totally depends on the season, my mood, and what exciting things might be happening that month.

Currently, I have a pretty stock photo of heart-shaped balloons (because it was February when I wrote this blog post). But during the launch of The Systems Shop, I had an inspiring quote. And when I’m a month out from vacation, I’ll switch it to a photo of the beach/ocean.

Pro Tip: Your tech backgrounds can be a great source of inspiration. Don’t be afraid to go bold or keep things simple. Something pretty on your background should also encourage you to keep the digital clutter to a minimum.

4 | TURN UP THE TUNES, PODCASTS, OR AUDIOBOOKS

I have pretty much always listened to music while I work. Nothing gets me pumped to tackle my inbox like a little Carrie Underwood or Taylor Swift Radio. When I’m writing though, I prefer to listen to instrumental music (specifically movie scores and soundtracks).

I’ve also recently started listening to audiobooks and podcasts (I’m a bit late to that party, I know). I love listening to either of these when I’m planning content, creating graphics, or scheduling Instagram posts.

Pro Tip: I used to think I was productive with the TV on in the background, but it turns out that’s not true (for me OR for you). TV is a HUGE productivity killer. I promise you’ll notice a difference (like a boost in productivity and focus) when you turn off the TV and turn up the tunes, podcasts, or audiobooks instead.

5 | TIME YOURSELF

Make it a game. “How many emails can I answer in X minutes?” There’s nothing we love more than a good challenge, right? Plus, it gives a little jazz to even the most mundane tasks.

I love doing this because it keeps me on my toes and forces me to stay focused and intentional on the task at hand (and NOT on Facebook or Instagram)!!

Pro Tip: Change your timer alert sound to hands clapping so you’ll remember to celebrate when time’s up!!

6 | REWARD YOURSELF

If you do this, you’ll get this!!

It really helps you focus on the task (whatever it may be) if you have something to look forward to when it’s complete. (I may or may not have promised myself a sun butter cup—I’m allergic to peanuts—and an episode of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel after writing this blog post!! 😉)

Pro Tip: Don’t reward yourself for each and every email you answer. Really make yourself WORK for that reward. Otherwise, it’ll feel too easy and that reward won’t be nearly as sweet!!

7 | BREAK UP YOUR DAY

A great way to make your day a bit more fun is to break it up.

Schedule a coffee date with a biz bestie (whether virtual or in real life). Have a lunch date with your mom, sister, or significant other. Take a nap, go to a barre class, get a manicure, or take the dog for a walk.

Pro Tip: The key to breaking up your day is to make sure you’re still getting stuff done. In other words, don’t schedule all of these things for the same day or all at once. Use them to help you get through your day/week. We all have high and low productivity times (or, as I like to call them, productivity zones). Schedule these activities during the low times to help boost you back up. (Don’t forget to give them start and end times otherwise you may never get back to work!!)

8 | CHANGE WHERE YOU WORK

When the walls of your home office feel like they’re closing in on you or your creativity is at a standstill, it might be time to get out of the house for a while.

Thanks to technology (i.e. everything being so mobile and almost every place having a wi-fi signal), you can “set up shop” pretty much anywhere you want. Take your laptop (or iPad) outside, to the local library, or your favorite coffee shop to change things up.

Pro Tip: If you are easily distracted by people watching and/or loud noises (like me), bring noise-canceling headphones with you so you can tune those things out.

9 | TAKE BREAKS

I love what Rachel Green of Intentionally Designed had to say about this:

“By choosing to rest in the middle of our day, we are intentionally preparing ourselves for the rest of the day.”

Creating requires energy. It’s important that you take time to rest and recharge. Because nothing (not even you) can run on an empty battery. So get up and stretch for a bit. Take a quick power nap. Eat lunch away from your desk. Play with your fur babe for a few minutes.

Pro Tip: Schedule your breaks. Actually write them in your planner. Set calendar reminders. (Because if it’s not scheduled, it’s not getting done.) And then force yourself to take them!!

10 | PAIR A TASK YOU LOVE WITH A TASK YOU HATE

This can work for both business and personal tasks. And it doesn’t necessarily have to be a task you hate. It can be a task that’s hard for you or a task that annoys you but you still have to do. Either way, pair it with something you love to do.

For example, you could listen to a podcast while you clean the house or do the dishes. You could watch a course while you fold laundry. You could listen to an audiobook while you run errands. You could paint your nails while answering emails. You see where I’m going with this?

Pro Tip: Pay attention to what tasks are hard for you to complete or that you avoid like the plague. Then figure out what you could do alongside that task that would make it better, easier, or funner for you!!

I hope you remember these tips (and what Mary Poppins said) the next time you sit down at your desk. In the meantime, I’d love for you to help me brainstorm other ways we could make our workdays fun and productive!!

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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. I only share about the products and services I personally use and love most and think you will, too!!

The Productivity Zone

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