Focus pocus
Nine tips to boost productivity in the workplace
If you feel like you’re working more but getting less done, you’re not alone. Employees are working an average of 44 hours per week, of which only 29 were considered to be productive, according to a new survey of 1,200 full-time office workers.
The recent Productivity in the Workplace study, commissioned by Fellowes, found that respondents feel the key to productivity is making adjustments within the existing workday versus working more hours. Chatty co-workers top the list of productivity killers, with unnecessary meetings, cellphone disruptions and problems with office equipment also on the list. Respondents also identified productivity boosters, including cutting back on meetings, having more quiet spaces to work, schedule flexibility and more up-to-date technology.
Laura Stack, also known as The Productivity Pro, travels the country helping organizations of every size improve their employee and team productivity. She shares the following tips to help people make the most of their hours in the office so they can get back to business.
Give disruptions the boot.
Resist the urge to constantly check email, and turn off email notifications. Put your cellphone on airplane mode, instant messaging on Do Not Disturb, and let calls go to voicemail.
Speak up.
Need something new in the office to help your co-workers and you stay more productive? It never hurts to ask. Office equipment, such as printers and shredders, are now being made with advanced technologies that can make your job easier and help you get back to work.
Cut down on meetings.
Before scheduling a meeting, ask yourself if you really need to have one. Can you cover agenda items via email? Cancel meetings if face time isn’t imperative, and give colleagues more time to get their jobs done. Also, try to schedule one day a week on your calendar that is meeting-free.
Don’t multitask.
When you do have a meeting, make sure you are 100 percent focused. You don’t want to miss crucial updates and next steps on projects; doing so will only hurt your productivity later on.
Practice “on, in, around or shred.”
Eighty-eight percent of people use paper in the office. Don’t let paperwork overwhelm your workspace. Keep items you work with daily on your desk, and those you work with weekly in your desk drawers. Things you work with monthly can be stored near your desk, in the company archives or in filing cabinets. Use an automatic shredder for everything else.
Break it down.
If you have trouble getting started with a big task, break it into smaller chunks. Ask yourself, “What is the next action step I need to take to see progress on this project?” Then set a timer, leap into action, and focus on the next step.
Vary activities.
For mental and physical alertness, vary sitting activities with standing ones, mental activities with physical ones. This will help prevent fatigue and keep your efficiency high.
Put some fun into your work.
Turn boring tasks into a game. Make a deal with yourself that when you complete a certain activity, you will do something fun afterward — perhaps taking a walk or having a piece of chocolate. By creating internal enthusiasm, you can stay focused longer.
Change of scenery.
Try to work in a different setting once a week. Whether you work from home, the library or a nearby park, new surroundings can inspire ideas and give you the energy you need to tackle your to-do list.