Technical article by Tim Kleber | Corporate Mental Health Expert at mentalport
Last update: 2026 | Reading time: approx. 5 minutes
A healthy and efficient working day is not the result of mere intentions, but through systematic routines. The most important steps are: Setting clear priorities, setting realistic goals, using digital self-organization tools (such as mentalport), targeted break planning, open communication, consciously setting limits (saying “no”) and maintaining social networks in the team.
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The new year often starts with the desire to finally make your own working day more stress-free and efficient. But without concrete systems, these resolutions remain just wishful thinking. As experts in mental health at work, we know that sustainable change requires actionable, small steps that reduce your cognitive load and focus on your well-being.
With these practical strategies, you can turn good intentions into measurable results:
Before you plunge into blind activism, take time for thorough self-reflection. Ask yourself: What are your real career goals? Which tasks really bring value, and which can be delegated or eliminated? This clarity is the first and most important step towards working more effectively.
Formulate your professional goals in a concrete and realistic way. Avoid vague, general resolutions such as “I need to work harder” or “I need to be more efficient.” Instead, set specific goals such as “I take 15 minutes a day to plan priorities” or “I complete one training session per quarter.” Such clear goals are psychologically easier to pursue and achieve.
You don't have to keep everything in mind. Mentalport, our innovative platform for promoting the mental health of employees, offers you not only the risk assessment of psychological stress but also smart tools for self-organization. Use integrated functions such as task management and goal tracking to make your everyday work more efficient and mentally relieved.
Effective breaks are crucial for your mental health and sustainable productivity. Deliberately plan short recovery periods between intensive tasks and set aside specific time for a short walk or breathing exercises. Scientific findings show that regular rest breaks have been shown to increase concentration and creativity.
A smooth workflow depends on communication. Clarify expectations from the start, delegate tasks transparently and create clear structures in your team. This not only promotes your own efficiency, but also contributes significantly to a positive, trusting working environment.
Think carefully and strategically before taking on new tasks. It is essential for your success to set realistic limits and to recognize in good time when additional obligations become too much. A clear, reasoned no to excessive workload is active protection and contributes decisively to your mental health.
We are social beings — even at work. Relationships with colleagues are an essential part of a fulfilling working life. Maintain these social connections actively, whether through informal conversations, joint projects, or virtual team building activities. A strong social network contributes significantly to your satisfaction and overall well-being.
By consciously and proactively designing your daily work routine, you can achieve sustainable changes. The intelligent combination of honest self-reflection, clear goals, effective organization and the use of innovative tools such as mentalport helps you not only to formulate professional resolutions, but also to successfully implement them. Create a working day that is not only highly productive but also deeply fulfilling.
How can I better structure my working day?
Start the day with thorough priority planning. Define clear core tasks for the day and block out times for short breaks. Tools such as mentalport's task management and goal tracking help you with digital implementation.
Why is it so difficult to say “no” at work?
A clear “no” is a sign of self-management. Anyone who does not set realistic limits risks an excessive workload, which in turn seriously endangers mental health.
What impact do breaks have on productivity?
Regular short breaks (e.g. through walks or breathing exercises) prevent fatigue and demonstrably increase long-term concentration and creative problem-solving skills.
Try our now app! By the way - if you would like to suggest mentalport to your employer, our Referral program Just the right thing for you!
Photo by Ross Findon upon Unsplash
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Tim Kleber is CEO and co-founder of mentalport. As a mechanical engineer, business psychologist and data scientist, he combines technical precision with psychological expertise. His specialization: psychological risk assessment (GBU Psyche) in accordance with §5 ArbSchG and ISO 45003-compliant implementation in companies. After his own auditor experience in occupational safety, he and the mentalports team developed anonymous infrastructure for mental wellbeing management - today used by over 50 companies to reduce psychologically related downtime and active wellbeing management.
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