Productivity is the biggest buzzword in the workplace. Everyone- from the CEO to the unpaid intern- is trying to maximize their working hours and finish tasks as quickly as possible. Becoming a highly productive employee isn’t without its challenges. It is easy to get sidetracked when there are a lot of disruptions and distractions at work. So, what can you do about it? While no system can completely eliminate diversions, here are eight tips to become more productive at work.
1. Stop Multi-Tasking, Start Mono-Tasking
If you think you can accomplish more tasks doing multiple things at once, think again. Researchers conclude that doing several things at the same time hampers productivity and shifting tasks takes up as much as 40 percent of someone’s productive time.
It’s more efficient to monotask or work on one task at a time.
2. Eat That Frog
It is a simple productivity technique, coined by self-help guru Brian Tracy with a simple premise: Tackle the most critical and undesirable tasks on your to-do list first.
Completing your most important tasks before anything else will give you a massive sense of accomplishment. It will start the ball rolling and motivation you to eagerly complete your other tasks during the rest of the day.
3. Don’t Wait for Motivation or Inspiration
In the book, The Motivation Myth, author Jeff Haden explains that successful and highly-productive people instead focus on getting started—whether or not they’re motivated.
Instead of waiting for a jolt or epiphany that’ll get you out of procrastination, take action now. Taking action is what leads to motivation, which in turn leads to more action. Just start working, and the motivation will follow.
4. Wake Up Earlier
It’s not a coincidence that many successful and highly productive people rise at the crack of dawn. Waking up earlier, particularly waking up before 6 am can give you the time to start your day right and give you ample time to implement any morning routine of your choice- it can be a workout, meditation, or morning journaling routine.
Instead of feeling rushed each morning, you’ll have more time to do things you would enjoy. Once you find the right morning routine, you will look forward to waking up and seizing the day.
5. Wear Headphones
When you work in a highly collaborative environment or open office layout, it is incredibly easy to get distracted by the conversations around you. Wearing headphones can ward off some noise pollution and deflect coworkers bothering you with menial and unnecessary conversations.
However, don’t use headphones as a crutch—use it sparingly and only when needed. Your colleagues may not appreciate the “don’t talk to me” vibe many headphone-wearers exude in the office.
6. Cut Down on Meetings
Meetings are the ultimate office time suck. They can use up much valuable time that could have been used to do something else. Solve this by not agreeing to meetings with no clear agenda or end time.
7. Organize and De-clutter Your Desk
A clutter-free workspace may be the secret to better productivity. Time management expert Julie Morgenstern says that your physical workspace “can either energize you or deplete your energy.”
It is essential to create or use an organizational system that’ll help you know where to find the tools and documents when you need it. Try using the popular Kondo method to transform your office desk.
8. Use Productivity Tools
Using the right tools at work can help you complete tasks and streamline processes as efficiently as possible. There are many time and task management apps and software available.
This article was written by Catherine Tabuena. Catherine Tabuena is a content writer, e-book ghostwriter, and retired professional singer. Her articles have appeared in BuzzFeed, Medium, Thought Journal, and Nexxt. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resources from Charter Oak State College. She is a lifelong music lover and a devoted hobbyist of kooky subjects such as classical music, opera, metaphysical science, stoicism, and krav maga. She also bakes delicious chocolate chip cookies. Learn more about her at ctcontentwriter.com