6 Ways to Boost Productivity in the Workplace

By Brooke Rudolph

It can certainly feel a little overwhelming when you have an extensive list of tasks and the thought of tackling them can seem daunting. If you’re looking for inspiration on new ways to handle your to-do list or how to be more productive in the workplace, keep reading!

1 — Make a To-Do List

This might seem obvious, but writing a to-do list is still very important. Once you have everything written down in one place, you won’t have to worry about forgetting anything, and it’s a helpful way to track your progress throughout the week.

One way to make a list less intimidating is to write down all your major projects, then break them down into smaller steps that are easier to tackle. For example, if you are writing a blog, you can break it down into simple steps; brainstorm, research, write, and review. If you take things one step at a time, the likelihood of completing goals increases because you’re not focusing on all the other parts that have to follow.

Another tip for your to-do list is to write everything out in order of importance. Ask yourself, “What needs to be done today and what needs to be done by the end of the week?” Then go from there. This way, if you don’t cross off every single thing on your list that day, you can relax knowing that you accomplished the most important items and are still staying on top of your work.

2 — Keep Your Working Area Clutter Free

This is something that a lot of people probably don’t think about when it comes to boosting their productivity, but if your desk is cluttered and disorganized, it can impede your ability to get things done.

If your desk or workspace is disorganized, you can be easily distracted or waste time looking for important documents or materials. Start your day by tidying up your work area to get a clear mind. Getting rid of clutter first thing in the morning sets you up for a pleasant and productive day and saves you time from having to tidy up the following day.

In addition, a study at Princeton University found that having a messy desk makes it harder for people to focus on particular tasks. They discovered that the visual cortex can be easily overwhelmed by task-irrelevant objects, making it difficult to allocate your attention to what you’re trying to get done. When you can give your full focus to something, the outcome is typically of higher quality.

3 — Get Outside

Taking a break, going outside, and stepping into nature has multiple benefits. Most notably, it can boost productivity. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to go for an hour-long walk every day. Taking even a 10-minute walk down your street or sitting on your balcony can increase your concentration.

Not only does it help you focus, but taking time out of your day to be in nature can help spark inspiration, decrease stress levels, boost positivity, and enhance creativity. So next time you feel overwhelmed, or you’ve been brainstorming or writing for hours and can’t come up with an idea, try going outside! You’ll be surprised at how refreshed you feel when you sit back down to get work done.

4 — Take Breaks

Productivity and taking a break don’t sound like they go hand in hand, but they do! You don’t need to work all day, every day to be productive. In fact, it can be counterproductive. Taking breaks and switching tasks is an essential part of getting things done. That said, avoiding going on your phone when taking breaks is encouraged, as it’s easy to get distracted and may take up more time than planned. Instead, make a coffee, grab a snack, chat with a friend, or take a walk. Giving yourself some time to relax helps with stress relief, and the less stressed you are, the easier it will be to accomplish your daily goals.

The Pomodoro Technique is the most popular way to incorporate breaks into your workday. This method suggests that you’ll work more intensely for a short amount of time rather than longer periods and advises working in 25-minute increments, with short 5-minute breaks in between. This is because working hard with no distractions for 25 minutes feels easier than working for 1 hour. Knowing that you have a break you’re working towards provides motivation, but having it timed means you won’t fall off track.

It’s often uncomfortable to think about starting a big task or project, especially when you don’t even know where to begin. The Pomodoro technique allows you to break down each task into smaller parts. This will keep you focused on the task rather than getting overwhelmed by the entirety of your project. It allows you to resist all those self-interruptions and retrain your brain to focus.

5 — Recognize Your Most Productive Hours

Once you have your to-do list set for the day, it’s important to note when you might be more focused throughout the day. For example, some people find early in the morning to be the best time to get things done with zero distractions. For others, it might be later in the afternoon.

Once you can pinpoint a time of day that works best for you, grab your to-do list and tackle your most important tasks. Once you start feeling yourself losing focus, you can work on smaller jobs that don’t require as much attention.

6 — Recharge and Be Kind to Yourself

When you work hard, you must take time to recover. Recharging is the most important thing to keep in mind when it comes to staying productive. It’s imperative to take time for yourself, eat something nourishing, and find ways to keep yourself relaxed once the day is complete. That way, you can tackle the next day with a full battery.

Try implementing some of these tips in your daily routine and see what works for you and what doesn’t. When you feel disappointed that you didn’t complete everything on your list, focus on the things you did complete. Then, remember that tomorrow is a new day where you’ll have ample time to get more done. Remember, we aren’t superhumans that can complete 100 tasks a day, and you’re doing the best you can!

Brooke Rudolph is a Social Media Consultant with VERB Interactive — a leader in digital marketing, specializing in solutions for the travel and hospitality industry. Find out more at www.verbinteractive.com.