If you’re like most people, you know how easy it is to get distracted while you should be hard at work. There are more interesting things to think about, right?
If you want to be more productive at work, you need to take active steps toward improving your productivity. You shouldn’t wait for someone else to tell you how to improve your work performance.
Certainly, don’t wait until you get fired.
Sometimes it can be difficult to lift yourself up and get into a productive work mode. Boost your productivity in the workplace with these tips that actually work.
Table of Contents
1. Remember Why You’re Here
The first step you might take in boosting your workplace productivity is remembering why your employer hired you. When you first start a new job, you might not know exactly what you’re there to do.
Some people will spend years at a job wondering what exactly it is they do. This doesn’t make you a bad employee, but it can impact your performance.
Instead of completing important tasks, you may gravitate toward tasks without much real importance, such as checking emails.
Your employer should provide you with a job description. Still, you may not understand what it is you do. If you need clarification, ask questions.
2. Time Management Skills
High productivity in the workplace stems from an ability to manage your time in an effective manner. If you constantly miss appointments and deadlines, you will see a negative impact on your productivity levels.
In the morning, you should plan your commute, accounting for traffic, lights, and potential delays. It’s best to be early rather than late. If you need gas, you might want to do it the evening before or plan accordingly.
Consider starting a planner or calendar. This will help you plan ahead for important events, meetings, and deadlines. Keeping your calendar organized is important if you want to manage your time better.
On a daily basis, prioritize important tasks and find out where you waste time. Manage yourself accordingly, and make lists of tasks to accomplish.
3. Manage Your Distractions
Take the time to sit back and think about what distracts you while you try to work. These distractions may come in many different forms. You may need to pay close attention.
A common distraction in office spaces is a coworker who likes to chat. While it’s good to get along well with your coworkers, you need to find balance.
If you find yourself checking social media accounts on your phone, put it away. If you need to, put your phone in a drawer. While you can still access it, you’ll be aware of the effort you’re making if you reach for it.
Try to limit your email time to once or twice a day, instead of checking your email periodically. Check it once in the morning and once in the afternoon.
If you can manage once a day, do it.
4. Take Breaks
In an article about productivity, it may seem counterproductive to include a tip about not working. Everyone has limitations, and you can’t force yourself to work for 8 hours straight each day.
If you work yourself too hard, you’re more likely to develop stress-related symptoms. Extreme stress can lead to heart conditions and heart failure.
While you’re not likely to die from working too hard, stress has long-term effects. You may begin eating too much or smoking.
Stress can keep your productivity levels low. It’s best to know your limits and take a break if you need.
5. Improve Your Comfort
Sitting up straight can improve your mood and productivity levels. If you find yourself slouching at your desk, you may be risking hours of valuable production.
When you sit at your desk, make a conscious effort to improve your posture. This will put less strain on your spine and back muscles.
Over time, poor posture can have negative effects on your overall health and wellness. Your feet should rest flat on the floor while you distribute your weight evenly between your hips.
Your shoulders should be back and relaxed.
Good posture will help reduce lower back pain, headaches, and improve your energy levels and productivity.
Consider some of the following tips to improving your workplace ergonomics:
- stand up regularly and walk around
- position your chair so you don’t have to reach for your mouse or keyboard
- keep your arms close to your body
Overall, stay conscious of how you sit when you work at your desk.
6. Don’t Watch the Clock
Clocks are a wonderful tool for managing time, but they can become a distraction throughout the workday. Toward the end of the day, you may notice yourself counting down the minutes until you can go home.
Try not to think about the time too much. Focus instead on getting your work done.
If you have important times coming up, consider setting an alarm on your watch or phone. This will warn you when you should move on to a new task or go to a meeting.
If you watch the clock, you could find yourself overexcited for the end of the day. You could be sacrificing valuable work time.
In addition to higher productivity, you may find more happiness when you stop watching the time. When you focus on the movement of time, you may make your day feel much slower to pass.
Your clock-watching habits could be having the opposite effect.
Stop watching the clock right now!
Boost Your Productivity With These Tips
Do you find yourself falling behind at work? If you want to keep your job and feel productive, you need to get on top of your work habits.
Sometimes it can be difficult to manage one’s self and determine weaknesses. It’s okay to admit your own weak spots. Everyone has them.
The above article is meant to help you get out of that funk and boost your productivity. There is always more to learn as you move through your career.
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