Google's Productivity Expert Reveals a 5-Minute Hack to Boost Focus and Increase Productivity at Work

Despite coaching some of the world's top engineers and executives on burnout and productivity, Laura Mae Martin still struggles with procrastination.

Martin, Google's executive productivity advisor, focuses on assisting employees in increasing their productivity without experiencing burnout, regardless of their level of experience, from new hires to C-suite leaders.

One of her effective ways to overcome procrastination is by adopting a simple strategy: "Pretend you're assisting yourself."

"Martin reveals to CNBC Make It that starting on a larger task is the most challenging part, as big goals, imaginative projects, and self-care can easily become forgotten and neglected."

Martin suggests that acting as your own assistant can help you overcome procrastination, and the technique can be done in just five minutes.

How to be your own assistant

To make it easier for your boss to complete a project, Martin suggests asking yourself, "If I were someone's assistant, and I wanted my boss to get this done tomorrow, what actions would I take to encourage them gently?"

Rewritten: By separating the planning and doing stages of a task, you can feel more organized and reduce overwhelm.

Your 'assistant self' might: help you with your presentation.

• Open a blank slide deck on your computer
• Save useful images or research links in tabs
• Find a sample outline from a similar project

Starting the task the next day with everything prepped makes it feel much easier.

Martin employs this method in both her professional and personal spheres. On the weekends, when she put off hanging posters in her son's room, she called upon her "helper self" to organize the supplies on Friday night.

"The next morning, I saw the supplies and thought, 'It's already set up; I might as well do it,'" she recalls. "This shift in energy helped me overcome my fear of doing something big and made the task feel more manageable."

To act as your own assistant effectively, it's crucial to minimize distractions. Before starting a task, ensure you have snacks and water nearby, close or minimize tabs, and silence your phone. Martin emphasizes that these small actions help maintain focus and prevent interruptions.

She states that most tasks can be accomplished with minimal preparation in under five minutes.

When your energy wanes, step away briefly to reset.

"Martin advises that if you're feeling mentally drained while sitting at your desk, it's unlikely that your work will be of high quality. However, taking a brief break to recharge and revisit the task later, even if it's just for 10 minutes or until the next morning, can help you feel more energized and improve your output."

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