In today’s work environment, production is more important than ever! Increased opportunity and compensation is often tied to your ability to manage responsibility and get more done in less time. It’s not difficult to increase your productivity at work, but it does take some intention. Here are a few simple ways you can be more productive starting tomorrow!
1. Set a timer.
Having a time limit deadline assigned to tasks is one of the best ways to stay on task. Most phones have a timer app that you can leverage to put a strict timeline on your tasks. Having an “end time” to look forward to, will help you maximize your focus to plow through the task at hand!
2. Take power breaks.
While this sounds like one of the least productive thing you can do, taking short breaks throughout the day can help you maintain a high level of performance. Research has shown that working without breaks can lead to a steady decline in quality of work over a long period of time. So make sure to schedule quick breaks in between tasks.
3. Learn to say no.
Before booking your next meeting, ask yourself if it will be a productive use of time. While some meetings are necessary, most don’t have a clear purpose or useful outcome. Learning to say “no” to unnecessary meetings and other distractions will allow you to redirect that time to something more productive.
4. Stop multitasking.
Psychologists have found that multitasking can actually lead to lower productivity. It turns out that attempting to do several tasks at once can result in lost time and productivity. Instead, make a habit of committing to a single task before moving on to your next project.
5. Take advantage of your commute.
The commute to and from work is often underutilized. Instead of listening to music, try a podcast. There are a ton of free podcasts which cover thousands of different topics. Here are a list of a few good ones you can start with.
6. Be proactive, not reactive.
Do not allow incoming phone calls and emails dictate how you spend your day. Have a plan of how you’re going to attack your day the night before and stick with it. This will keep you more focused and on task with things that need to be done.
7. Turn off notifications.
During work hours, turn off your notifications, and instead build in time to check email and messages. This is all part of being proactive rather than reactive. Removing notifications allows you to respond when it’s convenient for you.
8. Work in 90-minute intervals.
Researchers at Florida State University have found that the best performance comes from those who work in intervals of 90 minutes. This seems to be the optimal amount of time to work on a project where productivity levels are at there highest.
9. Minimize interruptions (to the best of your ability).
Interruptions can easily derail you from the task at hand. Keeping your door closed, setting fixed office hours, or working from home when needed are all great tactics to use for super important and time sensitive projects.
10. Clear your desk.
The more organized you are, the more productive you’ll be able to be. Having a clean, organized desk will help you focus better and rid you of unnecessary distractions!