What are the best productivity hacks you have implemented that actually work? originally appeared on Quora, the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. You can follow Quora on Twitter, Facebook, and Google Plus.

Aside from my beloved morning cup, I stay away from coffee. If I am feeling like I need it through the day to wake me up, what my body is really saying is that I need more sleep.

I go out of my way to make sure I am getting enough sleep. I go to bed early, I have no screens (such as TV) in my bedroom, and on weekends I reserve time for naps.

If what I am aiming for is productivity - or even the creativity required to be more productive - I look at my day and remove all the meetings that are not essential, where my role is either not clear or not necessary. I cannot do work if I am always in a meeting.

At my desk I switch from one task to another. I intersperse meetings with calls with document development so I can remain interested and focused and fresh.

Alternately, and depending on the task, I block three hours of solid time so I can focus all my attention on a single thing. This is particularly true when I am writing.

I take breaks. Small breaks to stretch and walk around, long breaks to go out for a walk or out to lunch. Breaks clear my head.

After work I engage my brain in other ways that are not work related so whatever parts of my brain are busy at work can get some rest.

I make sure I get enough exercise. We were meant to move, not sit at a desk scrunched over a computer.

I unplug and remove myself from work over the weekend, resist the temptation of using Sunday afternoons to “catch up.”

I make a point to take vacations so I can focus on a completely different world from the one work offers me.

Let me tell you what all my points have in common: rest.

The biggest lesson I have learned about productivity is that constantly pushing myself to do more does not lead to more: it leads to burnout.

Never underestimate the power of a well rested you.

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