The daily grind can take a toll on the average employee. No matter how driven and passionate you may be, there are some days that you find yourself making it through a day at the office without getting much done while emails and missed calls pile up into a mountain of impending follow-up torture.

How do you stay focused when everything around you beckons your attention? These tips may sound like no-brainers, but they could help you remain productive throughout the day.

1. Remove (or ignore) distractions. They’re everywhere: a co-worker brought in a new puppy, there are cupcakes in the kitchen, the construction workers are determined to make eye contact, or a co-worker sitting next to you is determined to have a conversation. Removing yourself from these situations or simply ignoring them can be the first step to saving a good amount of time to complete your work.

2. Set goals with specific times. If you’re one to be easily distracted, set strict goals for yourself and stick to them. Don’t allow yourself to get side-tracked unless you complete a task earlier than expected. Consider it a reward to finish early and a walk around the office will be well-earned.

3. Remain seated until completion. It’s not recommended that you sit at your desk for long periods of time, but on those days when you have a list of tasks to complete in a short amount of time, it’s best to remain seated until they are finished. Roaming around the office or going out for a coffee or a snack may lead to more distractions and less work.

4. Don’t sign into messaging services/social media platforms. If your employer has already blocked social media platforms or music-streaming sites, it’s probably for the best. Replying to your high school sweetheart’s Facebook message can wait. Trust us, one reply will only lead to another, and another…

5. Keep your phone out of sight. Your employer has probably already prohibited the personal use of cell phones during work. If they haven’t, and you’ve got a lot on your plate – put it away. Those text messages are probably not related to an emergency and that Instagram picture can wait until after work to get double-tapped.