1. Not taking sleep seriously

A good night's sleep is crucial for productivity, but there's actually a bit more to it than getting 8 hours. Each sleep cycle lasts 90 minutes, and if your alarm interrupts the cycle, you could damage your energy levels for the rest of the day. Try an app like Sleep Cycle or a site like Sleepyti.me to work out the best time for you to wake up on the productive side of the bed.

2. Listening to music

If you're working on a task that requires you to take in new information (revising, learning a presentation), research suggests music can have a negative impact. If you really can't stand silence, try Noisli, an ambient sound generator.

3. Multitasking

You might think that by doing a few tasks in one go, you'll get more done, but extensive research shows this doesn't actually work. Tackle one task at a time before moving on.

4. Letting tiny tasks mount up

Acquaint yourself with the two minute rule. If you can do a task in two minutes (such as replying to an email), do it then and there. Leaving it til later will ultimately take a lot longer and will clutter up your mind.

5. Making reeeaally long to-do lists

Be realistic about what you can achieve in a day. The more impossible tasks you cram on your list, the more disappointed you'll feel at the end of the day when you inevitably don't compete them.

6. Having a crap breakfast

Skipping breakfast is bad, but in some cases, eating cereal or cereal bars can be just as bad. A lot of supermarket brekkies are packed with sugar, which will cause you to crash and feel hungry in no time. Opt for things like wholegrain toast and eggs to keep your energy levels steady.

7. Having your phone on loud

How are you supposed to focus on a task when your phone is beeping with texts or Facebook notifications? Turn the sound off, or if you're really committed to the productivity cause, use an app like Focus Out to block your notifications for a set amount of time

8. Getting your priorities wrong

Instead of building up to it, always start with the most important/big task on your list first. You'll feel a weight off your shoulders once you complete it, making you even more productive for your next tasks.

9. Being messy

It's widely reported that when it comes to concentration, 'a tidy house is a tidy mind'. If your environment is a messy one, the clutter competes for your attention, meaning you can't crack on with tasks as efficiently. Tidy up and watch your to-do list shrink.

10. Being a yes man

You might think that saying yes to everyone makes you helpful, but you're not actually helping yourself. You can't do everything. The more tasks you have on your list, the less you'll be able to achieve, meaning that you'll still FEEL unproductive, even if you actually accomplished a good chunk of the list.

11. Having a lie in

Sure, you need sleep in order to smash tasks, but your energy peaks in the morning, so don't miss out on these golden hours! Plus, depending on your living arrangement, there'll be loads less distractions from housemates and boyfriends if you're working while they're still in bed.

12. Playing it by ear

Productivity needs a hard and fast schedule so don't just wing it. Write your schedule for the next day the night before so you're not worrying about what you've got to do while you're trying to get to sleep. Make scheduling fun but investing in some cute stationery.

13. Trying to tackle a BIG task in one go

Breaking a big task up into smaller steps makes a big, scary project seem a lot more manageable. Use an organising app like Evernote to make a big checklist, and tick each task off as you go.

14. Not allowing yourself to have a bit of fun

Scheduling in some fun or relaxation away from your to-do list is crucial for recharging your batteries ad boosting your motivation. You'll feel much more willing to crack on if you haven't been sat at your desk for 5 hours straight.