When you’re sleep deprived you can feel unmotivated or worse, just plain forgetful. Get those creative juices flowing again by writing down the tasks that you need to get done for the day and crossing them out once completed. It may seem overly simple but making lists have actually been proven to jog one’s memory, foster creativity and calm any sense of anxiety. Sure, making a list won’t help you remember everything but it will serve as a marker that you have something to remember.

Tackling an enormous work task can be pretty intimidating so help yourself to work smart by divvying up your one big task into smaller parts. Then, try tackling them one by one. Not only will you feel more accomplished at the end of the day, you’ll feel more motivated with every hurdle that you overcome. Splitting up your tasks will also be helpful in keeping you busy so you don’t succumb to that dreaded mid-afternoon slump.

Preparation is half the battle won so set yourself up for success by planning out your day accordingly. Bigger, more labour intensive jobs should be done in the morning when you’re at your freshest state – mentally and physically. This leaves your afternoon free to attack those smaller tasks that are fairly easy to accomplish without compromising on your decreased mental alertness.

Don’t be tempted to fuel up on the caffeine to wake yourself up. Instead, you should be reaching for water during the course of the day. Hydration will give you the jumpstart you need to get through the day as well as give you a boost of sustained energy instead of the peaks and troughs that coffee provides. Plus, it’ll give you an excuse to walk to the toilet for some light exercise that’ll also help to keep you awake.

It seems counterintuitive to suggest taking a nap during the work day when you’re already tired from the night before but hear us out. Short 10 to 30 minute naps can revitalize you and make you more productive. Try having a quick lunch and then snoozing the rest of way until the hour’s up. Be mindful of making this a habit though, it’s still best to get a good night’s rest instead of making up for loss sleep during the day.