Staying constantly productive at work can be difficult, especially when, at the end of the working day, you were not able to complete all tasks on your list. At times, you find your to-do list even longer by the end and it is something that can immensely affect one’s motivation and productivity.
One of the most important factors to being productive might be managing your time, but it is, more often than not, difficult to even know where to start from. Here are some ways you can work smarter and increase your productive flow in the process.
1. Stop Multitasking
If you have a few smaller, easier tasks, you might be tempted to complete all of them at once. No matter their size, juggling a few jobs at the same time is actually not as effective as people think, so focus only on one task until you complete it and you will end up finishing all of them much faster.
2. Take Breaks
Many think that working longer equals getting more work done. However, this is not the case, since working for too long can lead to burnout and a major decrease in productivity. Taking regular breaks is incredibly important because they increase concentration and boost one’s mood. Consider taking a five-minute walk around the office as often as possible or go grab a coffee and rest for ten minutes whenever you feel your concentration is starting to drop.
3. Unsubscribe from Spam Email
A messy inbox can make important business emails hard to find. Also, receiving newsletters or spam mail constantly throughout the day might distract you from your work. Services like CleanEmail, offer you a chance to unsubscribe from spam by identifying and categorizing each message. All you have to do is scan your mailbox, check your subscription list and unsubscribe from the ones you want to.
Notifications on your phone and computer are another hindrance to your productivity, so you should consider turning all of them off during your working hours. Let your coworkers know that you are busy and consider turning off your work chat if you can. Managing the noise in the office as much as possible will increase your focus and make you more productive.
4. Set Smaller Goals
Seeing a handful of projects in your calendar and looking at a list of all the tasks and goals that need to be accomplished can be quite daunting and overwhelming. However, breaking bigger goals into smaller parts will be much more productive since you will feel more in control.
5. Complete Bigger Tasks When You Are Most Alert
Knowing when you have the most energy and work best is extremely important. Completing bigger tasks when you are the most alert will ensure that they get done faster and on time. For example, if you are a morning person, work on the biggest tasks at that time, and complete smaller ones in the afternoon. If you have more energy in the afternoon that is the best time to handle all your bigger projects.
Conclusion
It is important to remember that not every day will be very productive and keep in mind that it is perfectly normal. Direct your energy towards finding what works for you, follow the tips above and you will be surprised by just how much you will be able to accomplish.
