Staying focused at work isn’t easy. What’s worse – a task that should take 30 minutes is taking you an hour while you’re constantly clearing email and social media notifications. Despite all that ever-increasing workload, there are some people at every company with an uncanny ability to get things done – and in time!
So, how can you boost your productivity and make sure you get the most out of each day? Here are 5 hacks that are used by the most productive workers out there. They will help you stay focused while at your desk, ensuring that all your work gets done on time.
Set a time to check emails
It’s true – emails are a productivity killer. Instead of checking emails or looking for new messages every five minutes, set aside an hour and a half to respond and write them. Early mornings are the best time and don’t check again until 12 pm.
Please don’t forget to sort your inbox folders categorically else digging into a huge pile of old emails can become a tedious nightmare, especially if you’ve been with a company for a couple of years. You might even want to consider setting up an auto-responder that lets people know when you are checking your email later.
Minimise interruptions
Having a co-worker stop by your desk to chat may seem innocuous, but even brief disruptions like these can affect your work pattern and result in a drop in productivity. Minimising these interruptions means strict office hours and limiting those in-between chats to lunch hour will ensure that you remain hundred 100% focused on time-sensitive projects.
If you feel the need to increase your productivity at work, resist the temptation to put in longer hours or add more into your already full calendar. Instead, take a step back, and think about ways you can work smarter.
Set daily – not weekly – goals
People who are exceedingly productive at work always plan ahead for the week and set daily goals. Moreover, they end each day by preparing for the next. You can start by writing down the three most important things you want to accomplish the next day and then work backwards.
This practice accomplishes two things: it helps you solidify what you’ve achieved today, and it ensures you’ll have a productive tomorrow. Successful people are clear about their goals and have a list that drives them to meet these goals. That’s what sets them apart.
Stay healthy, stay fit
Of course – it’s not about all work and no play! Successful workers also make space for recreation and rest in their schedule. After all, it’s all about striking an optimal balance that helps replenish your creativity and problem-solving skills. Moreover, it supports your emotional well-being. Aim to work only during the official work hours, and reward yourself with activities you enjoy doing most – it’ll help you stay motivated.
Work smarter, not harder
If you think you’re earning those extra brownie points by working late – you’re very wrong! Working long hours is actually less effective as it puts a strain on your body and causes you to burn out. Timing your tasks is key – if that’s hard put a theme for each activity. For instance – ‘Monday are for meetings’. The more you time yourself, and understand how long a particular type of task takes you, the more time you will identify and re-work into your schedule.
Rest and recovery are essential to success, so make sure you reduce your workload each day to increase your long-term output.
