When we’re caught up in the rat race, we often fall into the trap of taking on too many things. We forget that we have limits. Taking on a thousand tasks or projects doesn’t mean that you’ll do all of them equally well. Productivity isn’t all about quantity. Quality is even more important.

To make sure that you’re really doing well and not taking on more than you can handle, keep in mind the following tips:

1. Pace yourself.
Always be mindful of what you have on your plate. There are always chores that need to be done on top of what you have to do at work. Schedule specific times to pay your bills, stock your groceries, and change your sheets, and so on. These simple tasks contribute to your efficiency.

2. Piece it together.
Don’t do everything all at once. Surely, you can’t pull off a do-it-yourself home remodeling project just like that. Before you take on a project, break down your work into smaller tasks. This will make everything easier and quicker. Having a solid plan means there’ll be fewer mistakes -- or none at all.

3. Act right away.
Don’t waste a minute when urgent concerns come up. When your car turns quirky or when your computer starts to bog down, don’t wait until it’s too late. Of course, you have to keep in mind that not everything’s an emergency. So, make sure that your priorities are straight.

4. Take time out.
If you’re forever thinking about work even when you’re watching a movie, it’s a sure sign that burnout is just around the corner. When this happens, how can you achieve your goals? Establish balance in your life. For starters, you can make sure that you get enough sleep. Then, touch base with your friends or take an out-of-town trip with your loved ones so you can recharge.

5. Practice 80/20.
It’s good when you’re working hard -- but it’s even better when you’re working smarter. Take it from the 80/20 rule, which asserts that “80 percent of your outcomes should come from 20 percent of your inputs.” You can invest a little time (20 percent) so you get the majority (80 percent) of your desired results. Thus, you can spend just an hour each day at the gym or sweating it out at home and be fit for life.

If you follow any of these tips, your productivity statistics will surely improve.