Did you know that about 52% of employees are reporting signs of burnout? This is the sort of thing that happens when you put emphasis on productivity, without ensuring that the guidelines are more than simply saying “I need to work more.”
Sure, making the most of your time is essential since there are only so many hours in the day. You may either put in more hours or work smarter to boost your production. In my opinion, the latter is better.
It’s not rocket science to become more productive at work, but it does need a more systematic approach to time management. If you’re looking for more healthy ways on how to be more productive at work, then we’ve got you covered.
Keep on reading for our full breakdown on work productivity and how to achieve it in healthy ways.
Track and Restrict the Amount of Time You Spend on Projects
When it comes to figuring out how long it takes you to do particular jobs, you may believe you’re an expert.
According to certain studies, only around 17% of the population can reliably assess the passage of time. For example, using a time-tracking application like Rescue Time will assist by allowing users to see precisely how much time they spend on everyday chores like email, word processing, and apps.
The Basics of How to Be More Productive at Work: Take Frequent Breaks
As strange as it seems, taking regular pauses might actually boost your ability to focus.
Taking small pauses when working on a lengthy job may help you maintain a stable level of performance, whereas working without breaks results in a continuous drop.
Set Arbitrary Deadlines for Yourself
We tend to associate stress with negative outcomes, yet a moderate degree of self-imposed stress may be beneficial in terms of focusing us and helping us achieve our objectives.
Give yourself a deadline for open-ended jobs or projects, and then stick to it. Watching the time may surprise you in terms of how productive and focused you may be.
Take the Time to Write a To-Do List Every Night
To-do lists are a crucial tool for boosting productivity.
Organization, concentration, and a sense of accomplishment are some of the benefits of using a task management system.
To avoid wasting time at the beginning of the workday, make a to-do list each night and update it as needed. It’s also possible to go through your list with a friend or family member.
Use the “Two-Minute Rule”
Small windows of time at work may be maximized by using the “two-minute rule.” If you notice a job or activity that you know can be completed in two minutes or less, do it right away.
Completing a job straight immediately saves time since you don’t have to go back and finish it later. He has become one of the most prominent content strategists on the internet by using this strategy.
Don’t Be Afraid to Decline Invitations to Unnecessary Meetings
When it comes to time-wasting activities, meetings are among the worst offenders. But we continue to schedule, attend, and gripe about them. More than a third of the workweek is spent in useless meetings.
Do some research before scheduling your next in-person meeting to see if you can achieve the same objectives through email, phone, or web-based meeting instead? (which may be slightly more productive).
Meetings Should Be Short and Quick
Some research shows that standing meetings (they’re exactly what they sound like—everyone stands) may boost group arousal, reduce territoriality, and improve group performance if you must have a meeting.
In short, if you have to have a meeting, you can make it as short and sweet as possible. Just have people stand.
Stop Juggling Many Projects at Once
The capacity to multitask is often thought of as a necessary talent for boosting productivity, although this may not be the case.
Researchers have shown that trying to do many activities at once might result in wasted time and productivity. Instead, make it a habit to focus on a single project at a time.
Make the Most of Your Commute
You can apply this for any unexpected “extra” time you may have.
If you’re going to waste time scrolling on Instagram or TikTok, put that time to good use and get some work done instead.
If you have your Lenovo Intel Evo on hand, then you can speed through some of the minor tasks on your to-do list without any issues.
Let Go of the Idea of Perfection
Trying to perfect a task is frequent among businesses, but the truth is that nothing is truly flawless. You don’t need to waste time searching for this phantom, just get the job done and move on.
It’s best to get the job done and get it out of the way; you can always go back and make adjustments or improvements later.
Proper Delegation
When it comes to productivity, delegating is the nail gun of the workplace. You’ll be shocked at how much quicker and easy your work becomes once you start utilizing it. That is if you do it correctly. When it comes to delegation, many corporate leaders and managers are like polar bears: eager to leap in, but quick to get out again.
Why? The most typical issue about delegating work is that the manager or leader now has to monitor someone else’s job in addition to their own. When you give someone a job and then constantly monitor them as they do it, you are micromanaging rather than delegating.
As a result, you’ll find yourself with more time to devote to your own projects when you delegate effectively. Assigning the correct assignment to a person you know can do it well and who you can rely on to get it done is the most important step. You’ll be shocked at how much more productive you can be when you really let go, but it takes some getting used to.
Take a Few Minutes Out of Your Day to Work Out
According to research, exercising at work may really boost productivity. Set aside certain times each week to go for a walk or work out at the gym.
Taking a few minutes to get your heart pounding might help you clear your mind and regain your attention.
Be Proactive Instead of Reactive
As a result, you may only be able to put out fires if you let phone calls and emails determine your day’s activities.
Set out time for replying to emails, but don’t allow them to decide what your day is going to look like. Begin each day with a strategy in place, and then do your best to stay with it.
Work in Blocks of 90 Minutes at a Time
For exceptional performers (athletes, musicians, etc.), individuals who work for less than 90 minutes tend to be are more effective.
Moreover, researchers discovered that the best students work no more than four and a half hours a day.
Make a Schedule for Your Phone Calls
The ability to say, “Hold my calls!” while you’re working on something would be a good perk. What are you waiting for? You may save a lot of time and money by handling your phone conversations on your own.
Turning off your phone before starting a project that requires complete concentration is the first step. For the sake of efficiency, you should set up a certain time each day to make all of your outbound calls.
It’s OK to answer phone calls while working on something that doesn’t need your complete concentration; it saves you from having to return a large number of phone calls at some point throughout the day. When the phone is a distraction, get it out of the way and get on with your work.
Gaze at Something Beautiful
Although it may seem counterintuitive, some studies suggest that incorporating features like plants into a workplace may boost productivity by as much as 15 percent.
Create an atmosphere of positivity at your workplace by decorating it with photographs, candles, or even flowers.
Reduce Interruptions to the Best of Your Ability
Even a quick conversation with a coworker may have a negative impact on your productivity, even if it’s just for a few minutes at a time. Setting office hours, keeping your door locked, or working from home for time-sensitive assignments are all ways to minimize disruptions.
Do not put in extra hours or cram more into your already busy schedule if you want to boost your productivity at work. Instead, take a step back and consider how you may operate more efficiently, rather than more arduously.
Exploring the Intersection of Efficient Employees and Work Productivity
Trying to force productivity to increase no matter the cost can be quite counterproductive. We hope that our guide on how to be more productive at work has shed some light on the scientifically-proven ways that can help you boost your productivity numbers, in a sustainable way.
And, if you liked reading our article, then you’ll love checking out our additional tips and explainers in our technology section.
