Are you tired of wasting time? Can’t seem to get things done?
Whether you tend to bite off more than you can chew, get easily distracted or you think overworking is the answer, the way you deal with everyday tasks could result in you struggling to make a dent in your to-do list.
Being more productive at work isn’t rocket science, but it does require time and disciple to make small adjustments which can lead to lasting changes. This blog will walk you through 6 simple but effective strategies for taking control of your working day and increasing your productivity at work.
Productivity at work tips
Make a reasonable and realistic to-do list. Don’t overwhelm yourself…
To-do lists filled with unnecessary and complex tasks often fail and leave you frustrated. Make your to-do list balanced with a blend of both time-consuming tasks and lesser demanding tasks, and split up your large projects into smaller tasks. Remember to also spend some time checking off completed tasks – this allows to you to feel a sense of achievement.
Focus on one thing at a time
A Stanford study has shown that a crushing 98% of us are completely awful at multitasking. Don’t be one of these people! Instead of trying to juggle as much as possible, prioritise your tasks and do them one-by-one. Not only will your productivity improve, you might also find you will procrastinate less.
Get a Head Start
As dreaded as it is, getting a head start the night before your commitments is always a great thing to do you wont regret.
Before bed, prepare your bag/outfit, look over your to-do list and schedule the following day. Prioritise your tasks and check if anything can be delegated to anyone else.
Turn off Distractions
One of the major work productivity killers are distractions. Interruptions in the form of emails, phone calls, text messages and social media notifications…
Most people check their phones 58 times a day (with 30 of those during working hours) according to a 2018 study. Interruptions are the enemy of sustained activity; you must limit them if you’re seeking how to be productive.
Technology that is made to make our lives easier and better, can also make it very hard when you have to give things your full attention. Make it a priority of yours to control this. During work hours you need to give yourself the space you need to focus. So turn off your notifications, and instead build in time to check email and messages. This is all part of being proactive rather than reactive
Breaks
Breaks are so important to devote your full attention on tasks. No matter how busy you are, and how focused you may be on a job, you always need a break periodically (every couple hours). Take 10-15 minutes to stand up, have a breather, drink some water and get some fresh air.
Your return to work after these breaks will give you a refreshed and energised attitude to what needs to be done, which is exactly what you need to be productive at work!
Stop being a perfectionist
There’s a strong and established link between perfectionism and procrastination. Perfectionists have more chance of becoming frustrated or giving up when things don’t go exactly as planned. Therefore, perfectionists are both more susceptible to performance anxiety and more likely to be paralysed by setbacks. Not exactly a recipe for how to be productive.
It’s better to complete the task and move it off your plate; if need be, you can always come back and adjust or improve it later.
The above 6 rules on work productivity aren’t in any way the be-all and end-all but they are definitely a good foundation. After all, it’s something that can be perceived differently depending on the exact job and work environment. So follow these tips and speak to your peers and colleagues for extra support.
But remember, developing habits happens gradually, so as long as you keep up with it, you’ll soon start to notice the changes you’ve been making and eventually enjoy more productive days.