The average work day is filled with small battles, some of which we win and some of which we don’t. One battle that we fight every minute of every day is one against distraction. If you have been losing this battle more than winning it lately, here is a list you can double check to ensure that your productivity is as healthy as possible.

Set short term and long term goals - Often times, your work day can feel like a rudderless ship that has been set adrift. You know what you have to do, but you have no framework to operate in. By setting reachable and realistic short term goals every day that lead up to a long term goal, you suddenly have focus where you didn’t before.

Turn off distractions - Our workdays are filled with distractions, from the Internet to chatty coworkers and beyond. Have the self control to turn off the distractions you can control and physically separate yourself from others.

Turn work into a game - Working hand in hand with your short and long term goals, you can break down your work day even farther so that when you reach a self imposed goal, you can feel a sense of accomplishment. You’ll be shocked at how this kind of thing can motivate you more than any self help book.

Reward yourself - If you’ve had a really good morning or a stellar afternoon, make sure you reward yourself with something. Have your favorite food for lunch or download a hot new mp3 from the Internet. At the end of the day, treat yourself to a drink at the bar or some other reward.

Stay on an even keel - Even with the best focus, some days are going to be more productive than others. You must stay on as even a keel as possible if you want to maintain a healthy level of productivity over the long term. Don’t get too high when you do well and don’t get too down on yourself if things get tough.

Monitor your caffeine intake - Coffee can be an absolute godsend when it comes to getting you through those afternoon blahs, but too much caffeine can lead to a crash that takes your productivity along with it. You should know how much is too much by this point in your life, so don’t go overboard thinking your actions won’t have repercussions.

Eat - No one can be expected to be productive over the long term without a somewhat healthy diet. If you are living on fast food, stop and try to bring something from home, or at least order in something other than greasy fries and burgers. You also don’t want to go the whole day without eating, you won’t feel well and you won’t get much done.

Organization - Organization can be one of the trickiest things for many cubicle dwellers to manage since space is often at a premium. If you can’t come up with a sound organizational pattern, talk to those in your office that are neater than you for help.

Upgrade - Sometimes, the biggest drag on productivity is the hardware you are using. Try to put in a request for a faster, newer computer or a new phone system if the old one is dragging you down. It is your job’s responsibility to provide you with the tools you need to prosper.

Don’t be a technology slave - It has become a bit of a Pavlovian response to pick up a phone the moment it rings or to check our email the moment we hear that chime, but you don’t have to be a slave to technology. If you are concentrating on something else, it is okay to come back to a ringing phone once a message has been left.

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