11 Productivity Hacks for National Work Like a Dog Day 11 Productivity Hacks for National Work Like a Dog Day
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Dogs don't overthink. They don't procrastinate. They wake up, stretch, and commit fully to whatever the day throws at them—whether it's chasing a tennis ball or guarding the front window like it's a federal job. It's part of why we love them.

"Your dog will be your best friend, your listening ear, your biggest fan, and your 'welcome home' party every day, and that all by itself is good for the spirit," said Martin Goldstein, bestselling author of The Nature of Animal Healing.

However, being loyal, energetic, and focused takes effort, and that's where National Work Like a Dog Day comes in. Observed every August 5th, the holiday celebrates drive, dedication, and those who go above and beyond (without burning out). Think of it as a reminder to channel your inner golden retriever and actually get stuff done.

Need a little help getting there? These productivity hacks will help you work like a dog in the best way.

1. Start Your Day with a "Focus Walk"

Before you answer emails or scroll through Slack, go outside for a stroll without your phone. Even ten minutes of distraction-free movement clears mental static, boosts your mood, and gives your brain time to line up the day ahead. Dogs do this instinctively, but we need the reminder.

"Walking without a phone might feel uncomfortable at first, but that discomfort is a sign your brain is finally unplugging," explained Jack Savage, Chief Executive Officer of Everyday Dose, a company that specializes in mushroom coffee. "That quiet time helps you prioritize without even trying."

Keep it low-stakes. No route planning, no podcast queue. Just walk. Let your brain wander, breathe, and notice things around you. You'll return with more clarity than your inbox could ever offer.

2. Use the "One-Task-Per-Hour" Rule

Instead of juggling five things at once and finishing none, assign each hour of your workday to one specific task. That's it. One hour = one focus. No jumping between tabs or checking your phone every five minutes. It sounds basic, but it's surprisingly effective.

"You probably don't multitask as well as you think," said Greg Hannley, Founder and CEO of Soba Mesa, a company that provides the drug rehab Arizona depends on. "When you commit to a single task per hour, you make real progress instead of chasing the illusion of being busy."

Pick three priorities for the day and block time for each. Use a timer, silence your notifications, and tell your team you're heads-down. Focus on giving your brain the space to go deep.

3. Create a "Done" List (Not Just a To-Do List)

Create a "Done" List (Not Just a To-Do List) Create a "Done" List (Not Just a To-Do List)
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We obsess over to-do lists, but at the end of the day, it's what you did that really matters. A "done" list is a simple habit: jot down everything you completed that day. Big wins, small wins, surprise wins. Seeing it all written out builds momentum—and boosts your mood.

"Productivity isn't always about doing more. It's about recognizing what you've already done," shared Emily Greenfield, Director of Ecommerce at Mac Duggal, a company that offers prom dresses. "A 'done' list helps you end the day with a sense of progress, even when your to-do list is still full."

Keep a sticky note or a running Google Doc. Log wins as they happen or do a quick rundown before you log off. Bonus: it's a lifesaver when you're prepping for performance reviews or project updates.

4. Build in Micro-Missions

Big projects are important, but small tasks keep you moving. Micro-missions are short bursts of focused activity—think five to 10 minutes max. Wipe down your desk. Organize your tabs. Respond to that one email you've been avoiding. Like a dog chasing a tennis ball, it's less about scale and more about momentum.

"Small, structured tasks can kickstart your focus faster than staring at a giant to-do list," explained Dr. Manjula Jegasothy, Co-Founder of MiamiMD, a company known for its instant wrinkle remover. "They create a sense of progress, which makes it easier to keep going."

Try stacking a few throughout your day. Give yourself a time limit, hit start, and go. Quick wins add up fast.

5. Set a 90-Minute Work Sprint (Then Actually Rest)

Most people try to power through the day without pausing, but that constant output leads to dull focus and slower thinking. Dogs don't run on empty. They go hard, then rest fully. Turns out, we're wired for a similar rhythm.

"Your brain isn't built for nonstop focus," said Titania Jordan, CMO of Bark Technologies, a company that offers a safe phone for kids called the Bark Phone. "You get better output when you work with your natural energy cycles instead of against them."

Choose one priority task, block 90 minutes, and set a timer. During that sprint, avoid email and Slack unless absolutely necessary. When the timer's up, step away completely. Go outside, stretch, grab a snack, or just breathe. Resist the urge to "break" by scrolling your phone. Full breaks lead to full focus when you come back.

6. Eat a "No Decision" Lunch

You make hundreds of choices before lunch—don't let your meal be one more. A "no decision" lunch is pre-decided, prepped, or simple enough that you can grab it without thinking. Fewer choices might mean more energy for real work.

"Decision fatigue is real, and lunch is a hidden drain," advised Shaunak Amin, CEO and Co-Founder of Stadium, a company that specializes in peer to peer recognition software. "When you don't have to plan midday meals, you protect your brainpower for things that actually move the needle."

Pick two or three go-to lunches for the week. Prep them in batches or keep ingredients stocked. Think: wraps, salads, or grain bowls that rotate toppings. It's easy and efficient, and your brain will thank you.

7. Use the Two-Minute Tidy Trick

You know that mental fog that creeps in mid-afternoon? Sometimes it's not about energy... it's your environment.

"Visual clutter creates low-grade mental stress, even when we don't realize it," shared Justin Soleimani, Co-Founder of Tumble, a company known for its washable rugs. "A short reset gives your focus a clean slate."

Set a two-minute timer, stand up, and scan your space. Toss the trash, file that one paper, close the tabs you're not using. If your desktop is chaotic, drag a few files into a folder called "later." The goal isn't perfection. It's to shake off the static and make room to think.

8. Turn Off Notifications (Just for a Bit)

It's wild how often your day gets hijacked by dings and buzzes. One Slack message turns into three tabs, then a text, and suddenly it's an hour later, and you forgot what you were doing.

"Most notifications feel urgent, but very few actually are," said Brittany Blass, GM of Medicine Mama, a company that offers natural lube. "Turning them off for even 30 minutes at a time can double your focus."

You don't have to go full airplane mode. Just silence your phone or desktop alerts during your next work sprint. Let yourself check messages intentionally, not every time your screen lights up. Think of it as choosing quiet, just for a bit.

9. Find a Daily Anchor Habit

The trick to staying consistent? Don't rely on motivation. Dogs don't think, "Should I bark at the mailman today?"—they just do it. Humans can use the same mental shortcut by building anchor habits that make other actions automatic. It removes the guesswork from your routine.

"Anchors turn intention into consistency," suggested Brianna Bitton, Co-Founder of O Positiv, a company known for its MENO menopause supplements. "Once something becomes your launchpad, your brain stops negotiating with itself."

Pick one habit you already do daily and link your next task to it. For example, every time you brew coffee, review your top three goals. Or every day after lunch, send a quick status update. One solid anchor can set the tone for everything that follows.

10. Move Like You Mean It

A few minutes of intentional movement can snap you out of a slump and get your brain back online.

"Physical movement acts like a system reboot," explained Natalia Kuvelas, Marketing Manager of Custom Goods. "Even tiny bursts send oxygen to the brain, calm your nervous system, and improve focus."

Stand up and shake it out. Try shoulder rolls, jumping jacks, or just walking to another room and back. The goal is a pattern interruption. Do it every time you catch yourself zoning out, and you might feel sharper in a matter of minutes.

11. Log Off with Intention

Know when to call it a day. Dogs don't overthink the clock—when it's time to rest, they actually rest. Humans, on the other hand, tend to linger. If your workday ends in a blur of tabs and tasks, your brain stays half-switched on long after your laptop closes.

"If you have an awful day, when you come home, your dog doesn't care," said Dr. Jamie Richardson, head of veterinary medicine at Small Door Veterinary. "Have you been good at your job or bad at your job? Have you had a negative interaction with someone? Have you maybe not presented yourself to the world correctly? They don't care. They're just happy to see you, and they're happy every single time that they see you."

That kind of unconditional support is rare, but your brain still needs the signal that work is done. Build a wind-down ritual. Write tomorrow's top task. Close every tab. Shut your laptop with purpose, then do something physical to mark the shift—change rooms, change clothes, go outside. A clean break helps you recharge fully and show up stronger the next day.

Celebrate the Hustle, Then Actually Rest

National Work Like a Dog Day is your reminder that hard work doesn't have to mean burnout. With the right habits, you can stay focused, energized, and even enjoy the hustle.

Whether you try one tip or all 11, the goal is the same: work with purpose, rest with intention, and show up like your favorite four-legged overachiever. You've got this—now go fetch that momentum.