Distractions, personal phone calls and emails, that “Chatty Kathy” coworker that just won’t leave you alone, low energy, trouble focusing. All these things are productivity killers in the workplace. These types of workplace weeds need to be rooted out and discarded; otherwise they will slowly strangle a worker’s productivity rate before they are even aware of it. Here are 5 quick-tips that will help make your productivity goals happen on a regular basis.
1. Proper Time Management
Managing blocks of your time in order to focus all your energy on one project is a time tested and useful productivity tool. One trick is to set an hourly timer to avoid outside distractions by allotting special time out for an important project. Set a timer for an hour and when it is up, take a 1 to 3 minute quick refresher break, and then set the timer for another hour and do it again. Also, set some time away at the end of the shift in order to schedule the next working day’s top priority projects.
Do all your errands in one run, IE: Answering phone call messages, emails, more coffee, copies, etc. Then come back focused back and ready for some serious work. This way all of those little potential stops in production are then efficiently taken care of in one fell swoop. By grouping all of your low priority tasks together, you will get more done in a shorter period of time. Always make sure that you schedule your errands appropriately with what you need to accomplish for the day.
2. Always take your breaks
Taking your break is actually a key factor to positive productivity. A 10 to 15 minute scheduled break can help you recharge yourself. But also make sure to take small mini-breaks when you feel like you’re losing focus on your project. Just a 1 to 3 minute break can make all of the difference in the world when it comes to being able to concentrate properly on your work. Routinely take and enjoy your lunch breaks, and also do your best to relax for a few minutes before going back to work.
Refresh, recharge, revitalize, and then go back to work reinvigorated. Be ready for the task at hand again. By doing this, work will once again take priority. This will allow you to work efficiently for a longer span of time. Take your break, and then come back and keep eating away at that workload. Also, keep your focus by not trying to multitask too much. This is something that most humans do poorly, no matter how much they profess not to. Multitasking always just ends up being more mentally exhausting and confusing than sticking to one project.
3. Block out distractions
Finish the most important tasks first before your mind gets foggy or distracted and needs a break. In this way you can get done what needs to be finished first. Then you can come back from a short break and finish up on the lesser work priorities. Be as strict on yourself as you need to be when it comes to prioritizing. By being distracted by less important things, you put all of your work in a holding pattern – holding patterns are productivity busters! It is pointless to allot time for big things, and then fall short on your commitments because of all the little things.
Once again, stay away from your email. Checking it every time a message comes in is a complete distraction and a waste of time. Turn off that cell phone if it’s not a work phone. One can always check their voicemail and email every hour on a micro break. If interruptions become inconvenient, and persistent, don’t be afraid to put up a “Please Do Not Disturb” sign if it comes down to that. Your productivity is a direct key to your success.
4. Know yourself, your goals, and what you’re working towards
Know what your prime time is and utilize it. Everyone has a certain time of the day when their performance is at its peak. Utilize that time when you are at your most productive. Set up a solid foundation for a new project after you’ve finished the first one. Choosing the right time to work is crucial to keeping up production, so use your time wisely. Some people’s prime times are in the mornings, while others are midday or evenings. Find out which one is your prime time and schedule it in for tougher projects.
Everyone is searching for ways to pump up their productivity at work. Whether it’s to stand out in front of management, or if its management wanting to stand out in front of their CEO, everyone wants to be noticed and rewarded for the outstanding work that they do. Excellent production rates define success and are what gets you noticed by your boss in a positive way. Positive production numbers lead to that promotion that everybody else at work wants also. So know your goals and constantly move towards them, and always strive to surpass all of your
co-working competition.
5. Positive thinking equals positive production
A positive attitude will always boost productivity. Keep on the bright side of work, identify problems and then come up with working solutions. A depressed working environment creates negative production; an overall positive one creates positive productivity rates. It’s just plain good common sense. Know your working habits. Make sure to take time out to renew your energy and gain your focus back, and always uphold a positive attitude at all times.
Remember to also reward yourself for a job well done. By using these five quick basic tips, you will absolutely improve your daily productivity and morale. This will not only make your day easier, but your nights more comfortable as well – Knowing that you left work meeting your goals again. Always equate good productivity with your own sense of positive self-worth and accomplishment, because all three go hand in hand with each other.
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