The amount of time we spend at work can be a huge productivity killer, especially when it’s simply something we have to do for a living, like staying at a desk for eight or nine hours during the week. While some people thrive in the pressure cooker of the office, others lose their focus and motivation as the week progresses. Some people literally get sick of their job. The question we should all be asking ourselves, then, is this: What can I do to be more productive? Here are six tips for you to get more done in less time.
1. Review your to-do lists
Before you head out to work, make sure to check your to-do list. This will help you avoid missing any deadlines, and will help you stay on top of everything that needs to be done during the day. If you’re having trouble getting things done, take some time to review your to-do list.
When you’re on the brink of burnout, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day tasks that take up so much of your time at work. If you’re not keeping yourself organized, it’s easy to forget what you really need to get done by the end of the week. By reviewing your to-do lists, you’ll be able to see if you’ve left anything out or are falling behind in any way. It also helps to look at what you’ve accomplished for the week and how many days it will take to finish everything on your list.
2. Limit your distractions
If you’re like most people, your workplace is filled with distractions. We all have our favorite websites, apps, and social media accounts, and while these can be useful at times, they can also be a huge time waster.
While you can’t control what your coworkers are doing or what they bring into the office, you can limit the distractions you allow yourself to have. You may be tempted to check your work email while on the phone with a client or while chatting with a co-worker, but you can easily turn off your email notifications. You can also avoid your social media accounts and other websites while you’re at work.
3. Block off time on your schedule
If you’re working on a project or have a big presentation to give, it’s important to block off time for it. Otherwise, you may end up forgetting about it or not having time to finish it. If you don’t have any meetings scheduled for the day, you can easily get caught up in a task that’s not on your schedule.
It’s important to set aside time for your important projects and tasks. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself wasting time on the wrong things. You can even create a schedule on your calendar to keep you on track.
Also, avoid the temptation to multitask. While you may think you’re being productive by doing two things at once, you’re actually being less productive. The way you do your work will change depending on what you’re doing.
4. Reward Yourself
If you’re finding it difficult to stay motivated, you may need to reward yourself for the things you’re doing. You can do this in many different ways. For example, you could buy yourself a small treat or treat yourself to a meal out.
You could also consider making a list of all the things you’ve accomplished for the day and then take a small break to enjoy yourself. You can also take a day off from work, whether it’s a paid day or a day where you take off early or late.
As we’ve mentioned, the workplace can be a tough place to be. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with the amount of work you have to do and lose sight of what’s important. By setting aside time to reward yourself, you can give yourself a break from the pressure and stress of work.
5. Set reminders for tasks you need to get done
When you’re trying to stay organized, it’s easy to get distracted. You may think you’re being productive by checking your email, but you’re actually doing the exact opposite.
You can avoid this by setting reminders on your phone or computer. You can set up a reminder for yourself to check your email or to remind yourself to take a break from work. You can also set up a reminder to get a certain task done. For example, you can set a reminder for yourself to complete a report, get a client to approve a contract, or get a client to sign a contract.
If you find yourself getting overwhelmed, you can break down your tasks into smaller pieces. If you have a large project to work on, you can break it down into smaller, more manageable tasks.
By setting reminders for the things you need to do, you’ll be able to stay on top of everything that needs to be done. You can also set up a reminder for the time when you need to be back at work.
6. Don’t schedule meetings too early in the morning
It’s important to work on your most important tasks when you’re most productive. You may think you’re being productive by scheduling a meeting at 9 a.m., but you may be missing out on the best time to work.
You may find yourself getting distracted and thinking about work throughout the day. If you schedule your meeting for the morning, you may not be as productive as you could be. Instead, schedule your meeting for the evening, when you’re more likely to be focused on the task at hand.
You may also want to avoid scheduling meetings during lunchtime or after work. You may find yourself distracted by work or thinking about work while you’re eating or taking a break.
Final Words
By following the tips above, you can stay on top of your work and keep yourself organized. You’ll find that it’s much easier to get things done this way.
If you find yourself struggling to stay organized, don’t worry. You can improve your productivity by setting aside time for yourself and rewarding yourself for the things you’re doing.
What are some of your best tips for staying organized? Let us know in the comments below.