How to improve work productivity?
We have all found ourselves in a bit of a work rut at some time or another. If you just can’t seem to get anything done around the office, then you might want to think about your current work habits and how you can change and improve them. Here is how you can improve your work productivity in 10 manageable ways:
1. Lose the Distractions
While you may think your laptop, iPhone and 24/7 Internet access is helping to promote work productivity, all that distraction could actually be making you less productive at work. Being connected is an important part of most jobs nowadays, but make sure anything you do online is actually helping your work. Shut off personal email and any social sites (you know you check your facebook a few times a day) and see how much more you can get done without those needless distractions!
2. Sit Back, Relax and Take a Break
This may sound counter intuitive, after all, you are trying to increase work productivity not stop it, but taking a break to clear your mind can do a world of wonders for your focus and frame of mind. If you are stuck behind a computer screen and can’t seem to get anything done, take a quick 5-10 minute break to stretch, do a few eye exercises and even give yourself a head massage. Stepping away from work and coming back to it with a fresh mind and attitude will speed up productivity in the long run.
3. Declutter Your Workspace
No one can get anything done when their desk, or computer’s desktop, is cluttered with memos, notes, emails and unnecessary files. Start off every workweek by decluttering and tidying up your work space. Not only will this help you see what you need to tackle first (see number 6) but doing something easy and manageable like clearing your workspace can help jump start work productivity for the entire day.
4. Work around Other Productive People
If your office environment requires you to work in a large group of people, choose a space around other productive people. Not only will their busy bodies keep yours going, but also the whole energy of the space might knock you up an entire level of productivity. Just like good attitudes, productive work ethics are contagious as well.
5. Snack Healthy For a Clear Mind
At the office or on the road, it is easy to rely on coffee to get through the day. This is a habit that unproductive people everywhere share. Your body can only function on caffeine alone for so long. Focus and production levels drop in accordance to your blood sugar. Stock your workspace with healthy, mood and mind boasting treats like almonds, trail mix, oranges, or even a nibble of dark chocolate, and instantly feel more alert, active and ready to work.
6. Always Plan and Prioritize
So you know what you have to do for work, but you aren’t quite sure where to start. Many people get stuck at this point and because they don’t know where to begin, their productivity rates remain low. If you are starting a new project, sit down and start to plan our what you need to do to complete the project. Then prioritize what should be done first and what tasks can be saved for later. By mapping out exactly what you need to do, you can get to working right away and increase productivity by having the project, or the day’s tasks, done quicker than normal.
7. Do Something that Motivates You
Ok, so we realize that maybe every task at work isn’t going to inspire and motivate you to jump on the assignment right away. For those projects that you find especially hard to tackle, set up a reward system for you to personally use. Tell yourself that you can have dessert tonight if you finish a certain task by the end of the day. Or allow yourself to buy that pair of shoes or that gadget you’ve had your eye on when a big project is finally complete. Work towards a goal, an especially fun and well deserved one, and your productivity will increase and lead the way to your special prize.
8. Don’t Do the Same Thing Everyday
Yes, there are times at your job when you will have to do the same thing everyday. But try your best to shake these up as much as you can to avoid productivity ruts. Run errands in a different order, take a different lunch break, or even switch workspaces for a day. If you find your productivity levels low, then make small changes and see if that just might help you rev up your work state of mind.
9. Get Satisfaction Crossing Things off Your List
Now this one might seem cheesy, but really, what is better than the satisfaction of crossing something off a list?! On a poster or dry erase board write out the things that must be done that day or week. When you complete a task, use a big, bright marker to mark through that job and declare it done. Seeing a few things done on your list can up your work speed and enthusiasm and allow you to increase productivity at a record setting rate.
10. Make Use of the Domino Effect
Similar to the trick above, getting something done can trigger the want to complete another task. Getting into a rhythm when working is one of the best things you can do; a real testament on how to improve work productivity at work and at home. Start with a small task that you know you can easily tackle, and slowly add more and more things to do. You will be amazed at what you can accomplish in just a short amount of time when you energy’s tempo is set at a rip roaring pace.