With many of us facing changes to our daily routine as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, staying productive can feel like more of a challenge. Pets, children, video calls and moving between home and office as part of the phased return to workplaces seem intent on interrupting our flow of work. But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are two productivity hacks that will make it easier for us to focus on the things that matter most.

One is having awareness of the Pareto principle, which states that 80% of effects come from 20% of the causes. With this in mind, reflect on your own weekly activities and identify the ones that are pushing you towards your goals. These are the activities that should be taking up the most of your time. Interestingly, people usually invest only 20% of their time on such activities. Second, don’t use the “I don’t have enough time” excuse. Everyone has the same 24 hours in a day. The most important thing is how you choose to use it.

At the end of the day, Productivity is like a funnel – what goes into the top can make a big impact on what emerges at the end, which means there is no single hack that will magically transform you into a productive person. It takes focus, consistency and grit to stay productive and remain on track to achieving your personal and career goals.