Make Everyday Productive — Reboot & Refresh(2021)
It’s probably safe to say we’d all love to get more results from putting less effort. Productivity is a shifty blend of efficiency and expertise that allows one to tick off to-do list items and hit desired goals at an unthinkable pace and within a specific time period.
Productivity is less about time management and more about attention management. Time management is not a solution rather it’s actually a part of the problem.
There are only so many hours in the day, so making the most of your time is very important. There are two ways to increase your output–either spend more hours in it or work smarter. Being more productive at work isn’t something impossible, but it does require being more deliberate about how you manage your time. This article will walk you through 10 simple but effective strategies for increasing your productivity at work.
- Tracking down how much time you’re spending on tasks.
You may think you’re pretty good at calculating how much time you’re spending on a variety of tasks. However, some studies show that only around 17 percent of people are capable to accurately estimate the passage of time. An app, Rescue Time can be of help by letting you know exactly how much time you spend on daily activities, including social media, emails, and other applications.
2. Taking regular breaks.
It sounds counterintuitive, but taking scheduled breaks between works can actually help improve concentration. Some research has shown that taking short breaks in the middle of work helps you to maintain a constant level of performance; it helps to get over the monotonous job. While working at a stretch, without breaks leads to a steady decline in performance.
3. Setting self-imposed deadlines.
While we usually consider stress as a bad thing, a manageable level of self-imposed stress can actually be helpful in terms of focusing and helping us meet our goals. For open-ended tasks or projects, setting a deadline, and then sticking to it would be helpful. You may be surprised to discover just how focused and productive you can be when you have a deadline ahead.
4. Following the “two-minute rule.”
An entrepreneur recommended implementing the “two-minute rule” to make the most of the time. The idea is: If you see a task that you know can be completed in two minutes or less than that, it’s wise to do it immediately. According to the entrepreneur, completing the task right away actually takes less time than having to get it done later. Implementing this rule can help a person become more productive.
5. Avoid multitasking.
While we are inclined to think of the ability to multitask as an important skill for increasing efficiency, the opposite may be in fact, true. Psychologists have found attempting to do several tasks at once can result in a loss of time and productivity. Instead, making a habit of committing to a single task before moving on to the next one is more preferable.
6. Giving up on the illusion of perfection.
It’s common for entrepreneurs to get hung up on attempting to make a task less faulty–the reality is nothing is ever perfect. Rather than wasting time chasing after this illusion, it’s better to bang out your task to the best of your ability and move on. It’s wise to complete the task and move it off your plate; if needed, you can always come back and improvise the work done.
7. Being proactive, not reactive.
It’s wise to set aside time for responding to emails, but don’t let anyone determine what your day is going to look like. Have a plan list at the start of each day, and then do your best to stick to it.
8. Give yourself something nice to look at.
It may sound unlikely, but some research shows decorating an office with aesthetically pleasing elements or pieces–like plants or motivational quotes–can increase productivity by up to 15 percent. Jazz up your office space with pictures, candles, flowers, or anything else that puts a smile on your face and helps you remove the stress. It works as a distraction that will help you to come back to work, being more focused.
9. Minimize interruptions (to the best of your ability).
Minimizing interruptions may mean setting fixed office hours, keeping your door closed, or working from home for time-sensitive projects.
If you feel the need to increase your productivity at work, resist the temptation to put in longer hours, or pack more into your already-full calendar. Instead, take a step back, and think about ways you can work smarter, not harder.
