Your desk is cluttered with papers and you’re staring up at a mountainous amount of workflow efficiency. You’re surrounded by papers and your email box is filled with chaos. Sounds pretty normal, doesn’t it? Now let’s take a look at what you can do to turn the chaos of this day into a smooth-running machine.

How do we get our work done without losing our heads? Glad you asked. Let’s start with “chunking.” Not the candy. The term “chunking” refers to breaking up big chunks of task into bite-sized bits. Imagine that you have a delicious cookie. You wouldn’t eat an entire cookie (unless Cookie Monster is your name), but rather nibble at it bit by bit, right? This logic should be applied to all your tasks.

Now let’s discuss automation. It sounds futuristic. I understand that it is a little daunting, but listen to me. Automating tedious, repetitive work can save both time and cash. Imagine a digital assistant who would never complain when it comes to getting coffee. Zapier or other tools, such as IFTTT, can help streamline your workflow by connecting your apps.

What about SMART (specific, measurable, attainable and realistic) goals? I don’t just mean being book-smart, or even street-smart. SMART stands as Specific, Measureable, Achievable. This is like having a plan for your project. You wouldn’t make a long-distance road trip without your GPS, would ya?

Parallel processing (or multitasking) is often heralded as the superhero in productivity. The truth is, it’s a bit of a trickster. If you only focus on a single thing, you will get your tasks done faster than you think.

Pomodoro Technique: Have you heard? It involves working in 25-minute chunks, with 5-minute rests in between. It may seem easy-peasy but it is an incredible game-changer. This is like doing sprints, instead of running a full marathon. It keeps you energized and manageable.

Similarly, setting boundaries is crucial. If a colleague interrupts you in the middle of a flow, your work is over. You can make your boundaries known by putting up a “Do NOT Disturb Sign” to show your co-workers that your mission is important.

Not to forget, optimize the environment. You can’t expect your workspace to reflect calm in the midst of a hurricane. A comfortable chair and a well-lit desk can make the world of difference. Plants can bring a lot of happiness to your space. Add a few for an air of Zen.

The best tools for communication are those that you use yourself. The problem is that too many people are cooking up the same soup. Choose a few platforms that are tried and true. The same is true for cloud-based storage. Be sure to have everyone in your group on the same wavelength, literally as well as figuratively.

Embracing flexible thinking can work wonders. A rigid plan is like wearing armor: protective, yet incredibly stifling. Allow time for spontaneous brainstorming, creative breaks and other unexpected events.

Here you go. From Pomodoros and chunking to tweaks in your workspace and automation, these strategies can take you from chaos to calm. It is not about working more; it is about working better. You can now become the productivity Ninja you were born to be.