A focus was placed on the pre-workday routine in the first part of this article, as well as the ways in which you can increase your productivity by taking certain actions. The purpose of this portion is to assist you in increasing your productivity during the workday. Let’s get started!
No one knows how well you work more than you do during the course of your workday. It may be possible for your boss to know just how well you perform if you are employed by a smaller company. However, in reality, only you are able to determine what boosts work most effectively. One (or more) of these suggestions may prove helpful to your workday.
Workday Productivity Boosts
Having begun your day in the best possible way, it is now time to focus on your workday. It is true that most of us believe that we possess strong periods of creativity and productivity at work, but the truth is that there is at least one point in the day when you are not able to solve a problem. Whether you are trying to prepare a PowerPoint presentation, understand an Excel worksheet, or compose an internal email for your boss, there is always a struggle that you face at some point during the workday. What can you do to improve it?
Prioritize Tasks Based on Importance. If you are trying to accomplish everything within eight short working hours, you may find yourself exhausted and overwhelmed. Prioritizing your work tasks according to importance is essential. After you have prioritized your list, begin by completing the most pressing tasks and then move on to less pressing ones.
Avoid Multitasking (if Possible). Even though it may seem impossible on a busy day, try to avoid multitasking whenever possible. Multitasking is not always the best approach to your day, projects, or tasks (no matter how big or small). Therefore, it is advisable to address one issue at a time. Be sure to spend sufficient time on each task at hand, so that you are satisfied with the outcome before moving on to the next item on your agenda.
Take Small Breaks. In reading this, you may be led to believe that this is the opposite of being productive. The truth is that this is not the case. Our brain, contrary to popular belief, controls our attention cycles in the same manner as it controls our sleep cycles. Approximately every 60 to 90 minutes, your brain needs time and energy to refocus. This is where small breaks can be very useful. Your brain will be able to gather thoughts more easily if you take a three- to five-minute break between these attention cycles. As a result, you should indulge yourself in breaks, but be careful not to overdo it.
Stay Organized. In a messy environment, less work will be accomplished, rather than more. Staying organized from your schedule to your desk will enable you to accomplish more overall. Set aside a few minutes each day to organize your schedule, to-do list, and workspace. Your concentration will increase as a result of this and you will be able to stay on top of your tasks. As a result, when you are organized, you spend less time thinking about how to rearrange or declutter your work life and more time accomplishing meaningful tasks.
Use Airplane Mode or Turn Off Notifications on Your Mobile Device. With the advent of technology, it is difficult or even impossible to avoid answering a text message, making a phone call, or responding to an email via a mobile device. At the beginning of your workday, you should consider turning your phone on silent, enabling airplane mode, or disabling all notifications. By doing so, you will reduce the risk of interruptions from external sources. If necessary, set an away message to inform your personal contacts that you are currently working and will respond after working hours have ended.
Use the “Two-Minute Rule” Whenever Possible. There are a number of advantages to the two-minute rule, including its simplicity and ease of implementation. Start or complete a task within two minutes or less. As a result of this rule, you will be able to scale down any tasks or habits that would otherwise take longer. Using the two-minute rule allows you to take action on a plan rather than planning, debating, and overanalyzing it. It is intended to assist you in getting things done off your typical work list as quickly and efficiently as possible. Procrastination will be reduced, and your work will be streamlined as a result. Take a chance on it; you will not be disappointed.
Set Time Aside for Internal Communication. Inevitably, internal emails can become hectic and overwhelming. That is why it is important to take a few minutes out of your day to respond to and interact with all internal correspondence. Setting a certain time block aside allows you to make better use of your time throughout your workday since you are not constantly interacting with others on your team or clients. By powering through the internal communication, you will be able to move on to something more important.
Remind Yourself to be Optimistic. Maintaining a high morale can be challenging, especially when the work cycle appears to be the same each and every day. It is important to maintain a positive attitude while working. You may wish to place reminders in your workspace to remind you of this. By doing so, you will be able to maintain a positive attitude, even in the most difficult circumstances. Keep a few sticky notes in plain sight each day and post them in a prominent location. Declutter the mess by throwing them in the garbage at the end of the day. Alternatively, you may wish to purchase interchangeable affirmation cards to place on your desk. While these are more environmentally friendly, since they do not need to be discarded daily, they still serve the purpose of reminding you to stay positive throughout the day.
Be Back Soon, Folks!
No matter what items you choose to implement from our suggestions list, you will see an increase in the amount of work you are able to accomplish during your workday. Be prepared to enhance your creativity the next time you walk into your office (or home office). In the midst of your workday coming to an end and your commute home underway, you may find our final suggestions helpful in boosting your productivity on your commute and at home.
