Tuesday is the most productive workday

A new survey says Tuesday is the best day for getting things done. Accountemps, a staffing agency, commissioned the survey to ask human resource managers in the United States which day they thought workers in their company were the most productive. 

Tuesday was thought to be the most productive day by 39 percent of HR managers, while Thursday and Friday tied as the least productive days with three percent each (Monday received 24 percent and Wednesday received 14 percent). 

What's the theory for why Tuesday is the workweek peak? 

"Many workers spend Monday catching up from the previous week and planning the one ahead," said Max Messmer, Accountemps chairman. "On Tuesday, employees may begin to have time to focus on individual tasks and become more productive. The goal should be to maintain the positive momentum established on Tuesday throughout the week." 

But if you do put an important task off until Friday, Accountemps has five tips, which I've paraphrased below, for making everyday feel like Tuesday:

1. Axe the excess: Give yourself realistic goals and focus on your most important tasks. To do this, make a to-do list and cut it in half.

2. Quality, not quantity: Avoid multitasking and focus on one task at a time.

3. Know your prime time: Work on your most difficult tasks during the time of day you're at your peak (like probably not right after lunch).

4. Dodge derailers: That means turning off your phone, closing the email tab, and getting rid of other distractions to help increase your productivity.

5. Explore apps: Take advantage of apps aimed to increase productivity and keep you on task. (Just make sure they don't end up doing the opposite and distracting you -- see number 4.)