How to Cope with Longer Hours

Working long hours isn’t anything to brag about. But sometimes it’s necessary to get the job done. If it’s looking like you’re going to have to pull an all-nighter, you need to get prepared. Follow these useful tips to help you cope with longer hours.

Make a precise schedule

Working to a schedule will really help you stay productive when you’re working long hours. If you are sacrificing your spare time, you need to make sure you are making the most of your time. Otherwise, you could end up staring at a screen and wasting time. Before you start, make a precise schedule that breaks up everything you need to achieve into smaller blocks of time.

Automate what you can

To cut down on your hours, you should look at automating anything you can. This might take extra time to start with, but it will help you in the long run. For example, if you run a small business, you could automate your social media output for the entire year. This will cut down on the time you spend doing it every day.

Track time

Just because you have to work late doesn’t mean you should stop looking at the clock. Track your time and break work into small and manageable chunks. Some people swear by 20 minutes of solid work followed by a five-minute break. Other people take a break every hour. Just make sure you don’t try and do an eight-hour stint without taking time away from the screen.

Avoid distractions

There’s no point working long hours if you are getting distracted easily. You might as well be relaxing at home instead. That’s why you should minimize distractions as much as possible. Cut out your social media, turn your phone on silent, and don’t try to work in front of the TV. Get your head down and get the work done.

Take power naps

You still need to sleep even if you have to work late. Try taking power naps when you start to feel drowsy. If you’re the kind of person that falls asleep instantly, this is easy. If you’re not, just get your head down in a quiet and dark area for 20 minutes. It will help you to keep going.

Get the right nutrition

Thinking about powering through on nothing but coffee and sugary treats? You won’t get very far. It’s much better to eat whole foods (eggs, nuts, fish, etc.) and drink plenty of water. Use caffeine sparingly, and don’t drink more than three cups of coffee in a day. Also, check out LUN Level Up Nutrition to find amazing supplements that will keep you focused and alert.

Use commute time well

If you plan well, your commute time can be used to catch up on extra work. If you travel by train, bus, or taxi, you can catch up on emails and work from your laptop. If you travel by car, schedule important calls for your drive home. You shouldn’t waste this valuable time if you want to manage your workload better.