In the last year our lives have changed dramatically, and so has the way we work. Some people are working from home, some are lucky enough to still be going into the office. Regardless of location, there seem to be more distractions and elements to drag us down than ever before. Productivity at work can seem impossible some days when you feel like there are so many other things to worry about.
If you are struggling with this sluggish feeling and lack of motivation, or you are just a go-getter always looking for a way to become a more productive employee; here are five ways to rev up productivity at work. Start and end your day knowing you are accomplished, creative, and your most productive self that day.
Eliminate distractions
Eliminating distractions can be easier said than done. Especially, when working in a busy office space or chaotic home office loaded with distractions. Start with a clean workspace, get rid of unnecessary clutter on your desk, keep it simple. Turn off notifications if you need to and check your phone and email between tasks instead of during tasks. Electronics have been thoroughly integrated into our everyday lives, but sometimes they are our biggest distractions. It can be helpful to step away from your computer and complete as many tasks that you can without it. Giving your brain a break from staring at a screen can revive you and help with concentration.
Learn to Delegate
It can be overwhelming having a mile-long to-do list staring at you every morning. Cutting down on your to-do list by delegating tasks to others can make all the difference in the world. Especially if it isn’t a task that only you can complete correctly. Once you become comfortable delegating you will be amazed how much time you have to concentrate on the important things. The biggest key to delegation is making sure you aren’t micromanaging the people you delegated to, it will diminish the benefits of delegation. If you are micromanaging and hovering over the people you delegated to, you will not be able to get the things done that you need to. It does take a lot of trust, but it will allow you to concentrate on what you need to do.
Take Breaks
A popular productivity trick is to work in 90-minute increments. Track how much time you are spending on tasks and take short breaks between each one. Reward yourself for completing big tasks to incentivize yourself to perform the next task quickly and to the best of your ability. Give yourself something to look forward to once you finish each task. Use things like checking social media, a snack, whatever it is that will motivate you to get down to business and work uninterrupted for 90 minutes.
Stop Multitasking
Stop trying to do everything at once. It can be hard when you feel bogged down by endless to-do lists, but try taking each task one at a time. Do the little things first before you move onto the bigger tasks. Prioritizing what needs to get done first and get each task completed before moving onto the next. Multitasking often leads to making mistakes and careless errors since you aren’t focusing on any of the things you are doing. Multitasking causes unnecessary stress and lowers the quality of work which could be avoided by taking tasks one at a time.
Take Care of Yourself
Most importantly, make sure you are giving yourself the attention you need. Get enough sleep, work out, drink water, and eat a healthy diet. Listening to music while you work can help get you into your zone. Listening to music you enjoy can make work more enjoyable and go by faster. Making exercise a part of your daily routine, or even just 3 times a week will help increase your energy and productivity more than you think. Being well-rested and energized will motivate you to get more done during the day. Take time for yourself throughout the day and do things that make you happy, pursue hobbies outside of work, and compliment yourself because you are doing a great job and you deserve it!