Let’s talk about staying productive as a recruiter without losing your mind in the process. You’re juggling a million tasks, trying to keep candidates happy, and somehow expected to maintain your sanity through it all. But here’s the thing, productivity isn’t about turning yourself into a recruiting robot. It’s about working smarter, not harder.

First up, let’s ditch the broad headers on our to do lists. Instead of staring at “find amazing candidates for XYZ company” on your list (talk about pressure!), break it down into bite-sized pieces. Adopt more of a Just-in-Time or Single Piece Flow approach and reach out to each candidate as you identify them. This will help you find traction faster.

Stop trying to multitask. Think of your day like TV episodes where you have chunks of focused time doing one thing well. Spend 90 minutes sourcing and recruiting, then switch to reviewing ad responses. No multitasking required. Your brain will thank you.

Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Digital distractions. We’ve all been there – one minute you’re checking LinkedIn for candidates and the next you’re deep in someone’s vacation photos from 2018. And then you feel bad about yourself for not doing your work! Do what Nanette does and uninstall your apps on Sunday night, and reinstall them again on Friday. Sometimes, increasing our productivity is all about removing things, not adding them.

Speaking of feeling badly about yourself, can we normalize taking actual breaks? Scrolling through your phone isn’t a break; it’s just noise. Try something that actually recharges you, like taking a walk or listening to a podcast. You might be surprised how much more energized you feel when you’re not doom-scrolling during your downtime.

Procrastination is usually just fear wearing a fancy mask. And Productive Procrastination is wearing the fancy mask to trick yourself. If you’re avoiding making that cold call, ask yourself what’s really holding you back. Sometimes just acknowledging the discomfort makes it easier to push through. And hey, set a timer for 15 minutes – you’d be amazed what you can accomplish in that time when you’re focused.

Here’s a hot take. Not every client or role deserves your attention. Learning to say “no” to low-value tasks means you can say “yes” to the stuff actually moving the needle. Your time is valuable and should be treated as such.

The secret sauce to all of this? Finding what works for you. Maybe you’re most productive at 6 AM, or perhaps you crush it during late-night sourcing sessions. The point isn’t to follow someone else’s productivity rules, it’s about creating a system that fits your style and keeps you energized.

Remember, at the end of the day, productivity isn’t about cramming more tasks into your schedule. It’s about making space for the work that matters and doing it well. So experiment, find your groove, and don’t be afraid to adjust your approach when something isn’t working. After all, you’re a recruiter and adapting to change is practically in your DNA.