Increasing Productivity in the Workplace

We are all guilty of starting something and never completing it; other tasks get in the way, meetings pop up, and some things just get lost in the ether. It can be difficult to be productive when there is too much work on your plate.

In an ironic turn of events, I decided to finish writing this article after originally starting it last September. Since then, I have learnt to manage my time more efficiently and keep on top of tasks during the day.

Here are some simple but effective ways to increase productivity in the workplace:

Write out your tasks and objectives

Seeing a physical list of everything you need to do can motivate you to complete it. Organise your tasks in order of importance and set aside smaller, less urgent tasks for later in the day. Tackling larger workloads first thing in the morning will help you get into the flow of work.

Stand up and step away

When you feel like you’re making no progress with your work, just take a quick break. You could be experiencing fatigue, and simply just stepping away for a short while can help reduce burnout. Taking the occasional ten-minute break can give you time to recharge and revisit your task with a clear mind.

Talk to your colleagues

New ideas and advice from your colleagues can help you make headway when you’re feeling stuck on the same task. Having someone else look at your work with fresh eyes can help you view your task from a different angle, spotting areas of improvement and leading to progress.

Remove distractions

Can’t stop looking at your phone? Turn it off and put it away from sight. If your office is too noisy, you could put on soundproof headphones and play some music to help you concentrate. Close your email inbox and only keep essential tabs open in your web browser. Distractions can break your focus and should be kept to a minimum.

Don’t try to multitask

Taking on too much work all at once can cause you to become overwhelmed quickly. Concentrate on one task at a time, and if you feel that you cannot focus, switch to another one. Putting all your effort and concentration into one task is more beneficial than splitting your attention between three unrelated tasks.

Don’t pressure yourself

This is easier said than done, but at the end of the day, you are only human. Pressuring yourself to get work done as quickly as possible is fruitless, as it only causes more stress. Tasks that you set yourself will get done eventually, and it can be ok if work takes longer than anticipated, if expectations are managed. Not everything has to be absolutely perfect; you’re already doing the best you can.

The Development Zone hosts a range of courses to help with productivity and stress in the office, including Time Management, Efficiency and Productivity, and Asking for Help at Work.

If you’re not already signed up to the system, see what e-learning can do for your firm by visiting https://www.mydevelopment.zone for a 14-day free trial.