Making the most of your time at work is something that most of us strive for. Let’s look at some habits that you can adopt so you’re able to leave the office knowing that you accomplished everything you aimed to do that day.
1.) Our brains aren’t built for multitasking so stop doing it
It’s counterproductive and a productivity killer. You can start increasing your productivity today simply by focusing on one task at a time and giving it your all before moving onto the next task.
2.) Prepare a To-do List for the Next Day
To-do lists can be a great tool for productivity. They help you to get organised and stay focused. And, if you’re like me, you’ll also take great satisfaction in ticking a task off when it’s done. One tip to help you get your day off to a flyer is to make your to-do list at the end of each workday or the night before. By doing this, you won’t waste time in the morning when you’re in your peak productivity state.
Try out the Ivy Lee method below and see if it works for you:
The Ivy Lee Method
Ivy Lee was a productivity expert who achieved peak productivity each day by following these five steps.
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At the end of each workday, write down the six most important things you need to accomplish tomorrow. Don’t write down more than six tasks.
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Prioritise those six items in order of importance.
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When you arrive tomorrow, concentrate only on the first task. Work until the first task is finished before moving on to the second task.
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Approach the rest of your list in the same fashion. At the end of the day, move any unfinished items to a new list of six tasks for the next day.
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Repeat this process every working day.
3.) Take regular breaks
It can be tempting to avoid taking the time for a break, but when you neglect to give yourself a time-out for a few minutes, it can harm your overall productivity by resulting in fatigue or burn-out. If this happens, you may not have the energy or motivation to continue making progress. Consider planning out several short breaks during your workday. Most workplaces have a mandatory schedule with dedicated break times, so employees can take at least a five- to 10-minute break after every few hours of active work. These short breaks can allow you to recharge, clear your mind and get ready for the next task.
4.) Focus on your biggest tasks first
Focusing on your biggest and most time-consuming tasks before any other assignments can actually help you stay more focused than working on smaller and shorter tasks first. Consider planning your assignment list according to these tasks, where you may dedicate your time in the morning when you first arrive to work or at a time of day when you are most alert and energized.
5.) Use the two-minute rule
The two-minute rule involves completing tasks that are two minutes or less as well as taking two minutes to get started on small tasks that you may have been putting off. During these short stints of time, if there is a task you can complete in two minutes or less or a task you can get organized to start on, this is the time you would do it. For instance, it may only take two minutes to log the tasks you have already completed, respond to a quick email, write down your next objectives or print out the outline for your upcoming project assignment, but the two minutes it takes you to complete these little tasks can oftentimes add up to a completed to-do list at the end of the day.
Additionally, small tasks are still an important part of your overall work productivity, so practicing the two-minute rule can allow you to focus on those small tasks in between the time it takes to work on larger and more complicated tasks. Consider those two minutes between break time and getting started on your next project or the two minutes it takes to get ready for lunch and consider using that time to take note of what you need to work on next, your daily goals for the next day or responding to that voicemail that has been waiting for you since you got to work.
6.) Just say no to meetings.
Meetings are one of the biggest time-sucks around, yet somehow we continue to unquestioningly book them, attend them and, inevitably, complain about them. According to Atlassian, the average office worker spends over 31 hours each month in unproductive meetings. Before booking your next meeting, ask yourself whether you can accomplish the same goals or tasks via email, phone, or Web-based meeting (which may be slightly more productive).
7.) Take advantage of your commute.
This goes for any unexpected “bonus” time you may find on your hands. Instead of Candy-Crushing or Facebooking, use that time to pound out some emails, create your daily to-do list, or do some brainstorming.
8.) Give up on the illusion of perfection.
It’s common for entrepreneurs to get hung up on attempting to perfect a task–the reality is nothing is ever perfect. Rather than wasting time chasing after this illusion, bang out your task to the best of your ability and move on. It’s better to complete the task and move it off your plate; if need be, you can always come back and adjust or improve it later.
9.) Turn off notifications.
No one can be expected to resist the allure of an email, voicemail, or text notification. During work hours, turn off your notifications, and instead build in time to check email and messages. This is all part of being proactive rather than reactive.
10.) Give yourself something nice to look at.
It may sound unlikely, but some research shows outfitting an office with aesthetically pleasing elements–like plants–can increase productivity by up to 15 percent. Jazz up your office space with pictures, candles, flowers, or anything else that puts a smile on your face.
