(BPT) - Is boosting your career one of your New Year's resolutions? If you're seeking ways to stand out and improve your productivity on the job, there are several effective strategies and tools that can help you work better, making the best use of your time and energy so you can succeed at your goals.

Try some of these tactics to optimize your efforts in 2026.

1. Learn to prioritize

It's easy to be overwhelmed by multiple demands, especially when you've got a lot on your plate. To help you track tasks and flag those needing immediate attention, keep a running list in the way that's easiest for you - whether that's a simple document on your computer, such as on a spreadsheet, or in a notebook. Each task then needs to be clearly coded both by importance and urgency. For each item, ask: How vital is this task? How soon is the deadline? Make sure the most time-sensitive items that are of the highest importance are addressed first.

If prioritizing is difficult for you, consider using software or a system like the Eisenhower Matrix that's specifically designed for prioritization.

2. Make meetings work for you

Attending meetings can seem like wasted opportunities that use up a lot of your time. You may try taking notes, but find it difficult to understand them later - or discover you can't focus on what's happening in the meeting at the time because you're so busy taking notes. With the soundcore Work AI Note Taker, you can focus and be fully present during meetings, letting the soundcore Work take accurate notes for you. It also saves time by transcribing and summarizing your notes using AI in a number of formats to meet your needs. Powered by an advanced speech-to-text model, the note taker provides a quick content review, streamlines workflows and delivers an AI-driven data summarization.

The soundcore Work is the first coin-sized AI note taker you can clip onto clothing, a necklace or attach to the back of your iPhone or Android phone through magnetic connection. It lets you capture voice recordings in a medium to large conference room (within 16 feet), and you can transcribe and share a summary of the meeting from the soundcore App.

It's easy to use; just push a button to turn it on and double tap to highlight content you find important. You'll enjoy eight hours of non-stop recording on a single charge and up to 32 hours with the charging case, and you can keep recording even while it's in the case.

Your privacy is secured with encryption at all stages. By default, recordings and transcription content are stored locally on your device, and your audio will only be temporarily uploaded to the cloud when you choose to transcribe it. Once transcription is complete, your audio and transcription data will be promptly deleted from the cloud.

Then, by downloading the soundcore app, you'll access powerful features that transform soundcore Work into your personal assistant. You can activate your soundcore Work to claim free AI transcription minutes for the whole year. With this tool, meetings will be clearly captured and summarized for you, so you can be fully engaged as you participate in the meeting without fear of missing or forgetting important points, and later note items requiring action or follow-up.

Learn more about the soundcore Work AI Note Taker at soundcore.com.

3. Know your daily rhythms

Schedule your time as best you can around your unique daily cycle. Are you a morning person who can tackle complex tasks more easily early in the day? Reserve that time to address those types of duties so you can make the most of that peak energy. And if your energy flags at certain times of day, see if you can build in activities that boost your energy, like a working walk with a colleague, a quick protein snack and chance to hydrate, or checking off items that are easier to accomplish, like responding to emails or organizing the next day's calendar.

4. Practice time blocking

Getting to know your personal rhythms also helps you create a more workable schedule. Block your time and minimize distractions like calls, messages and emails when you need to focus, instead reserving certain times for responding to them to avoid constant interruptions.

It's also key to build in regular small breaks for a chance to stretch, move and clear your head, so you can refocus on your next task. If either procrastination or burnout are getting in your way, you may want to try the Pomodoro Technique, which divides work into specific timed intervals of focus and rest.

5. Break up larger projects

Facing a big presentation or project that seems daunting? Divide the work into smaller steps, so you can tackle one thing at a time. Create realistic deadlines for each small task so you'll be able to complete the whole project by the due date. One trick is to work backwards from your deadline - making sure not to underestimate the time you'll need for each step.

Using these tips and tools, you'll be better equipped to be more efficient, productive and successful at work, making 2026 your best year ever.