Let's be real—the dream is to get all your work done without another late night at the office. We all know (and secretly envy) that one coworker who manages to stay on top of everything and still clocks out on time, every time. How do they do it? For a long time, my to-do list felt like an overflowing suitcase—the kind that just won't zip shut and this is when I realized that trying to do everything at once isn't a sustainable way to work. However, the good news is that you can be THAT coworker and actually manage to get out of the office on time and actually be able to enjoy your after-work drinks, especially, while the weather still allows it. And I found some simple hacks that helped me balance my workload and avoid those late hours at the office.

1. Stop Doomscrolling Your Email

Constantly checking emails as they come in is a surefire way to get overwhelmed and distracted. Instead, try batching your emails. Set aside specific times—say, two or three times a day—to check your inbox. When you do, sort your messages into three piles: "respond," "read," and "revisit later." This method keeps you from getting sucked into your inbox all day and helps you be more intentional and focused when you do respond.

2. Block Your Calendar for "Busy" Time

Protect your focus by adding "busy" blocks to your calendar. This is a subtle but effective way to signal to coworkers that you're in deep-work mode and can't be interrupted. It's like a digital "do not disturb" sign. Simply create a calendar event and set the visibility to "busy." I like to do this at the start of my day to settle in and at the end to wrap things up, but you can also schedule busy blocks for specific projects throughout the week, which I do and is very helpful. This keeps that time sacred and allows you to stay in your creative flow.

3. Use AI as Your Personal Assistant

If you're not using AI yet, you're likely spending more time on tasks than you need to. Think of AI tools like ChatGPT as your powerful personal assistant. Use them to summarize meeting notes, build templates, or even create a daily schedule that balances your deep work, breaks, and meetings. There are many apps out there that can also automate tedious manual processes. By getting creative with how you use AI, you can free up valuable hours and avoid another late night at the office.

4. Listen to ASMR sounds

When your brain is feeling tired or stressed, ASMR or white noise can be a great tool. White noise can help your brain create a "third frequency" that can help lower stress and increase focus. You can find online numerous ASMR/white noise videos or playlists from which you can benefit when you’re facing a long, draining task or a creative block. You might find your work flows more easily.

5. Make it harder to get distracted

It’s tempting to immediately open that social media notification or reply to a text. To avoid getting sidetracked, be “hard to get” with your distractions. This means moving tempting apps off your home screen, turning off notifications, or even logging out of websites. For a more drastic change, try leaving your phone in another room while you work. Making it inconvenient to access your distractions will help you stay focused and in control of your workday.

6. Try the “Scary Hour” Method

We all have those tasks that we dread and put off for days or weeks. Instead of letting them haunt you, schedule a "scary hour" to tackle them head-on. Block off an hour on your calendar and dedicate it solely to knocking out those dreaded tasks, whether it’s a pile of emails or a boring data-entry project. Chances are, it takes less time to actually do them than it does to worry about them. This keeps those "scary" tasks from clogging up your to-do list and helps you feel more productive.