Lots of people buy into the harmful, untruthful notion that success is borne of obsession. People think that to launch a new business, they need to think about nothing else daily. In reality, this prescription will only lead to burnout, exhaustion, and emotional fragility. Success is borne not of obsession but productivity, and the best way to be productive is by balancing leisure with hard work. Here’s what to keep in mind as you seek to boost your productivity in 2021 and beyond.

Take Meaningful Breaks

If you’ve ever tried to work all day without a single break, you’ve likely experienced that brain-dead, nauseous feeling that stops you in your tracks. This sensation arises because human beings aren’t meant to work continuously. Your eyes, body, and mind need the occasional break.

Remember that a one-minute “mini-break” won’t always do the trick. To really refresh your mind and body, you need to step away from your work and let yourself focus on something else. Try taking a walk around the block or chatting with a friend. Once you get back to work, you’ll be much more productive than you had been before.

Focus On One Task At A Time

Whenever you’re working on several aspects of a project at once, it’s tempting to attempt remarkable feats of multitasking. You might consider talking on the phone while answering an email or sorting through files while listening in on a virtual meeting. This might seem like productivity exemplified, but it’s actually a harmful practice that diminishes your total output.

Your mind works best when you allow it to focus on a single job. To do effective work, you need to limit yourself to one task at a time. Schedule your day into monochronic blocks, and avoid multitasking at all costs.

Delegate Tasks To Others

Whether you’re managing a company or organizing a household, don’t forget that you never have to do everything yourself. Make a point of delegating tasks to people you know you can rely on. Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness. In fact, it shows that you’re strong enough to accept your dependence on those around you.