In its resting state, the brain is still very much switched on, working away in the background to solve problems and seek solutions for tasks that it might not have been able to complete in its more “active” state.

Knowing when to stop working is therefore an important starting point. Working for too long can cause stress and exhaustion, which are clearly counterproductive to working to the best of your ability. Making sure you save some energy for when you next start working can ensure more creativity and the ability to complete tasks.

Taking afternoon naps has been shown to boost mental abilities enormously, not only being physically restorative but also increasing alertness for longer throughout the day. Even a 20-minute snooze has been proven to be hugely beneficial to increasing productivity and reducing burnout.

The simple act of taking a walk is another activity that has been studied by researchers at Stanford for its effects on the mind. Not only does the light exercise itself send more blood to the brain, but the way our minds wander while stimulated by our surroundings on a stroll was seen to boost creativity later on. Stanford’s study asked participants to come up with novel ways of using inanimate objects while either walking outside or sitting down inside. It found that those who had been out walking came up with more innovative ideas than those who hadn’t.

1. Rethink your relationship with your phone. Too many people set unrealistic goals, such as “I will stay off my phone.” Reframing your relationship with your phone is a better approach. Take a few days to notice how you use it, and ask yourself, “Do I need to do this now?” Awareness can go a long way.

2. Use micro-moments wisely. Micro-moments occur when you’re waiting (say, in your doctor’s office, at a taxi queue, or for your coffee). And these moments can be spent more productively, thanks to your phone. Make a call. Send a message. Or download a meditation app and give yourself a five-minute refresh.

3. Get the right apps. Mobile phones have become the new laptops, providing us with the ability to connect with team members and manage projects on the go. Slack allows for real-time communication; Monday lets you check off completed tasks on the go. Find the right apps for your work style.

4. Keep a to-do list. Mobile phones, which are with us all the time, can be organizational resources. It’s a great place to keep a to-do list because you can update it on the fly. Check out to-do list apps such as Asana, Todoist, and Remember the Milk.

5. Use it to inspire creativity. One businessman has said he never carries business cards; instead, when he meets someone new, he takes a selfie with them, gets their number and then sends them that photo with his contact information and a one-minute video summarizing how he can help them.

Do what you resist. Don’t know where to get started? Try the thing you want to avoid, the thing that sends your heart racing (and not in a good way), the fear.

Don’t wait for the perfect time. The perfect time is never, meaning the perfect time is now. Find your why, write it down, and then start.

Break it up. Try breaking the task, whatever it is, into bite-sized pieces. If you want to exercise more, on day one, all you must do is find a gym.

Pick the path of least resistance. Just because it’s hard doesn’t mean it has to be harder. When given the choice, take the easiest path.

Push past hard. You will hit walls, even if you take the path of least resistance. When you do, don’t give up.

Take some time off. When you hit a wall, take some time away from the task. It may provide a new perspective.

Super-size your goals. Set at least one goal that is a little outside your comfort zone. (For example, if you’re comfy with the one-year goal, what may a five-year plan look like?) Break down this super-sized goal into doable to-dos to get you there, and you’ll grow into it.

Success is hard. But it gets easier when you accept that it can be hard. Those of us who risk discomfort get incrementally better until we master whatever we want to do.

1. Do articulate your priorities. Your employees will need to make decisions, so let them know in advance what takes priority. Is it this task or another? Is it deadline or quality?

2. Don’t micromanage. It’s the cardinal sin! Remember: you’re delegating because you don’t want to deal with the project, so don’t deal with the project. Plus, not trusting your employees can undermine their confidence. Hands off!

3. Do offer your support. While it’s important to avoid micromanaging, you also do not want to throw your employees to the wolves. Thus, it’s a good idea to do what you can to empower their success. For example, gather all the information needed to complete the project in one place, provide examples of comparable work, and check in regularly (just not too often).

4. Don’t underestimate how long the project will take. Be cautious about underestimating the length of time it will take your employees to complete a project. You could do it in a week, but can they? Always add a buffer to account for the difference in skills or unexpected roadblocks.

5. Do be sure your employees feel comfortable saying no. Your employees may not want a project any more than you do. Or maybe they want it but don’t feel up to it. It’s worth trying to encourage them and build up their confidence, but if that fails, find a new employee for the task.

6. Don’t delegate because the project is awful. There are some projects no one likes. Do you know what else people don’t like? The manager who uses delegation to avoid doing unpleasant tasks. Good leadership involves taking on the unappealing work. So delegate those tasks that will make your company more efficient by getting those tasks to the people with the best skills to complete them.