Working for 20 minutes may seem like nothing. After all, you can spend 20 minutes on social media without even noticing! But did you know that working for just 20 minutes at a time can change your life?

Here’s how.

You Will Get More Done

When you break your work into more manageable blocks of time, like 20-minute increments, it helps your brain to focus better naturally. This means that instead of your mind wandering to some daydream that isn’t related to your task, you’ll be able to focus on getting things done. When you spend less time daydreaming, you get more done because you waste less time on your wandering mind.

Your Brain Will Feel Less Tired

When you attempt to work on a task nonstop for an extended period, you put extra strain on your brain. When your brain feels strain, this can result in you feeling tired or easily frustrated by tasks. While working in short bursts of just 20 minutes, you give your brain ample time to rest, therefore leaving you feeling less tired. When you feel less tired, you will feel better overall and probably have a better disposition.

You Will Procrastinate Less

Do you struggle with procrastination? That will go away once you start working in 20-minute bursts. Procrastination is often the result of feeling overwhelmed by a task or feeling like you need to find a large block of time to complete a specific task. When you approach a task realizing that you only need to work on it for 20 minutes, this will make it less daunting because you really can do just about anything for 20 minutes!

Not only that, but when you break down a task to fit into 20-minute increments, you can squeeze one of these increments in at almost any point in your life. Only have 20 minutes before you need to leave for a business dinner? Sounds like a great time to work on your project.

The point is, when you decide that you will only work on projects for 20 minutes at a time, this can truly change your life. The short burst work method will help you get more done, feel more mentally relaxed, and procrastinate less. So if you want a better life, it’s time to throw away traditional work methods and resolve to work just 20 minutes at a time.

Do you have that one friend who always seems to accomplish the most difficult projects with ease? Do you wonder how they do it? It is because they are productive!

Below are three secrets that can help you become as productive as even your most accomplished friends.

1. Take Breaks

It may not seem like taking breaks would help you be more productive, but it does! Your brain works most effectively when it has time to release stress and be creative. You can do this by taking frequent breaks from your work. Aim for at least once per hour, but even more is fine.

During your break, you should leave the work completely to take a bathroom, snack, or even physical activity break! Play around with how many breaks your brain needs, then stick to that routine as closely as possible.

2. Work In Bursts

Besides just taking frequent breaks, you should set a timer for all of your work sessions. You should set this timer for a short burst, like 20 or 25 minutes. The specific time isn’t that important. Finding the length of work session that works best for you will take some experimenting. Breaking the work into small pieces helps to improve your motivation and make the task feel easier to conquer. You’ll also work more diligently with the threat of a timer.

Knowing you will be working in short bursts can also help tackle procrastination issues because knowing that you only have to work for 20 minutes keeps your mind in a much more positive place!

3. Minimize Distractions

Working in short bursts can help easily distracted people to stay focused. It also helps if you minimize the distractions in your work area. Turn off notifications for your email, and resolve to check them at a certain time. Leave TVs, phones, and other personal electronic devices out of the work area. Don’t eat while working.

Use your breaks for this instead (you’ll enjoy your food more anyways!).

It also helps to have a dedicated workspace so when you go there, your mind knows it’s time to work!

It may seem very difficult to be productive at certain points in your life, but if you take frequent breaks, work in short bursts, and minimize distractions, you’ll find that increased productivity finds you naturally. Soon you too will be that friend who is always completing tasks while everyone wo