Procrastinating. Taking it easy. Letting ‘tomorrow me’ worry about it. Whatever you call it, don’t worry – we all do it!
It is difficult to keep focus on something minute after minute, hour after hour. It is natural to find yourself distracted by things other than your task at hand, no matter your role and your working environment.
However, productivity is of course of high importance in any job. Afterall, you’re employed to – and expected to – do your work, and always to the best of your ability. And it’s not just about getting your work done; a productive person is someone that your colleagues and bosses know they can trust, are reliable and are worth investing in for the future.
So, to help you make the most of your time, here are a few easy and effective ways to become – and continue to be – more productive at work.
1. Keep everything simple for improved work efficiency
It can be easy to overthink and overcomplicate things, but by keeping it simple you’ll likely find you’re more relaxed, have more clarity in your thinking and find it easier to focus on – and tackle – the task at hand.
So, we recommend things such as simplifying your working environment so that it’s less cluttered, more task-focused and more comfortable for you (the old saying ‘a clean space creates a clean mind’ does ring true!); making sure you focus on one task at a time, rather than trying to multi-task, or at least sticking to a set list of priorities; and try to keep yourself away from anything that’s a potential distraction (i.e your mobile phone or other technology) as more distractions will likely equate to less productivity.
2. Why do I struggle to be productive at work? Use all the help you can get
If you’ve a heavy workload, there is no shame in getting help to keep your productivity levels up. And we’re not just talking about asking for help from your colleagues or boss – there are so many productivity tools and a variety of useful software available now to help take some of the strain from your shoulders.
Utilise task and time management tools to keep track of what needs doing and when; try to centralise the elements you need to complete your tasks effectively and efficiently; and where, possible, look to automate certain aspects of your role, so there are a few less things to worry about – leaving you more time to focus on producing what’s more important.
And of course, if and when needed, don’t be afraid to reach out to your colleagues – they may be able to share some of your workload, and help you manage and maintain your productivity. It may be a case of coming together as a team and delegating tasks between you. A problem shared is a problem halved!
3. Meetings: Are they needed?
Meetings, especially ones that may not actually be necessary, can have a big impact on productivity. Not only could they potentially take up a significant portion of the working day, but they can also interrupt people in the ‘flow’ of their work – taking them away from a task at hand, which may prove difficult to come back to after being taken away from it.
When thinking of setting up a meeting, ask yourself whether the discussion or request could be taken care of via another channel, such as email for example. And encourage your colleagues to take the same approach.
If it is considered that a meeting is the best course of action, be sure to make sure that it has a set agenda that people stick to, utilise the time used effectively, and make sure it doesn’t run beyond it’s allocated time slot.
4. Make a schedule and stick to it (when possible!)
Giving structure to your day, breaking it down into blocks assigned to certain tasks and goals is a great way to take control of your schedule, and to keep yourself on track.
Of course, everyone will work differently, so it is important to find a schedule that suits you (and the requirements of your role and company too). Perhaps you’ll find that 60 or 90-minute blocks will work best for your tasks and goals; and maybe it would pay for you to schedule your most important work in the morning, when you’re feeling fresher and more focused. Whatever works best for your productivity.
For this to work, it is important that those around you understand your schedule – not only will they need to know when is best to approach you, but you’ll also have to be able to adjust and adapt accordingly to any un-scheduled requests.
5. Improve work efficiency, take breaks
Many of us will be guilty of skipping a lunch break to ‘just finish off that last little task’ or working into the evening. It may seem like it’s the best way of keeping on top of things, but actually – whilst being hardworking is of course key to any role – it may be counterproductive to take such an approach.
A tired, mentally and physically exhausted person isn’t someone who can perform and produce to the very best of their ability. It is important to get your rest to avoid burning out, so take breaks when you can! Get away from your working environment for a little whilst, go for a walk and get some fresh air. It really is good for you.
Outside of work it is important to de-stress and relax your mind and body too – as hard as it can be, try not to think about work too much and just take each day as it comes.
6. Love what you do!
If you’re unhappy at work, you won’t be as productive at work. It is easy to slip into a trend of putting less effort in, and getting as much out, when you’re doing something – or are somewhere – that you simply don’t enjoy or have a passion for.
It is important to be in a role that inspires you, is rewarding, and allows you to be the very best version of yourself. You’ll be more productive, more positive, and make the right impression on your colleagues and your boss, and produce work that is of your highest possible standard.
If you want to learn more tips and tricks on how to love what you do and excel in your career, check out our career advice blogs. You'll find helpful insights on topics such as job search, resume writing, interview skills, career development, and more. Whether you're looking for a new job, a career change, or a promotion, our blogs can help you achieve your goals and enjoy your work.
