Instant Alert: 8 surprisingly simple productivity hacks that you've probably never thought of

MANAGE SUBSCRIPTIONS   |   UNSUBSCRIBE   |   VIEW ONLINE   8 surprisingly simple productivity hacks that you've probably never thought of by Meredith Lepore on Oct 28, 2015, 1:21 PM October is a busy month. Summer is officially over and you wish you could be back by the poolside soaking up the rays. There's always a heavy workload which means concentrating can become harder and harder. Luckily, we looked far and wide for some of the most surprising productivity tips to help you keep up at work. SEE ALSO: The 4 habits that affect productivity the most 1. Keep making lists, but not in the same way When you make a list you probably go from top to bottom, or maybe you start sticking things on the top because you want to get them done first. WRONG. Ben Schott, author of Schott’s Original Miscellany, a compendium of lists, told Real Simple: "Varying the format can make a list far more useful. Start in the center of a page and write items in spatial relation to one another, so that you create clouds of related tasks; draw a Venn diagram for party invitees so you can note how people will interact. During the 18th century, sailors in the British navy would sign petitions of grievance in a circle so that ringleaders could not be identified." 2. Put flowers in your bedroom and office Don’t just look at your cereal bowl when you first wake up. You need some beautiful colors in those retinas. Research suggests that exposure to bright colors in the early morning lifts your spirits and energy. What's more, studies suggest both men and women performed better in offices decorated with plants or flowers. They showed sharp increases in innovative thinking, idea generating, and problem solving. 3. Take a walk in a park In 2009, University of Michigan researchers found that subjects who strolled through a nature setting saw a 20% improvement in attention and focus tests. Taking in the sights and sounds of nature appears to be especially beneficial for our minds. But people who don’t live in the middle of a nature reserve are not completely screwed. According to the researchers. A slightly quieter street with a few trees can work, or a park, or even looking at potted plants may help your concentration.   See the rest of the story at Business Insider   Share the latest business news with your network: Email sent to:   |   Manage your email preferences   |   Unsubscribe Terms of Service   |   Privacy Policy Business Insider. 150 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011