There are a limited number of hours in the day, so making the most of your time is crucial. There are two ways to increase your productivity: increase your working hours or working smart. I don't know about you but the latter is preferable. Being more productive at work isn't a blatant science, but it does require that you be more in-depth as to how you manage your time. This post will walk you through trendy techniques to increase your productivity at work.
Consider how your business currently operates and be open to the possibility of changing how you work. Know that it is as important to create long-term and short term lists as it is to prioritize tasks, particularly in a small business.
Is there a better way for employees to organize their day to help them boost their productivity? Provide each employee with a plan and encourage them to make a list to make sure they complete their priority jobs on time and stay focused throughout the day, resulting in effective work.
An entrepreneur, Steve Olinsky recommends applying the "two-minute rule" to get the most out of small windows at work. The idea is: If you see an action or task that you know can be accomplished in two minutes or less, do it right away. According to Olinsky, completing a task immediately takes less time than having to return to it at a later time. Implementing this made him become one of the most successful content strategists on the Internet.
The social media can be a massive productivity killer, but it's not practical to have a no-phone policy. Rather, try to keep employees engaged and focused while letting them breathe.
Encourage employees to switch off their cell phones, but take regular breaks during which they can check their phones freely. This will make sure that the time you spend at your desk is more productive.
Look for tools that automate everything from scheduling and paying bills to email replies and updating contact lists. Add also as many apps as possible that offers a way to digitize any manual process, such as making menus or giving gifts. `
Comfortable working temperature ranges between 68 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit (20-21 degrees Celsius). An environment that is too hot or too cold is distracting, as employees will spend more time walking around to get an electric fan or their coats. Make sure your air conditioning and heating systems are working properly when the season comes.
First, identify the areas where you regularly waste time. Next, select the mobile services or apps that meet these needs directly. My favorites are Headspace and Evernote. There is a technical solution to almost every problem you will encounter, but if you use all the services and apps, it will really reduce your productivity.
You might think you are very good at measuring how much time you spend on different jobs. However, certain research suggests that only about 16 percent of individuals can accurately estimate how much time has passed. A tool such as Rescue Time can help by telling you exactly how much time you spend on everyday tasks, including email, social media, apps, and word processing.
If meeting is absolutely necessary, there is some evidence that stand-up meetings (which are exactly what they sound like: everyone standing) can lead to more group excitement, less territoriality, and better group performance.
It is common for entrepreneurs to become obsessed with trying to master a task; the truth is that nothing is perfect. Instead of wasting time chasing this illusion, do your homework to the best of your ability and move on. It is better to complete the task and get it off your plate; if necessary you can always go back and edit or improve on it at a later time.
Using work time to exercise can help improve productivity, according to a study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Where possible set regular times within the week to go to the gym or go for a walk. Keeping yourself warm may be just what you need to clear your mind and regain your focus.
Letting incoming phone calls and emails define the way you spend your day will mean you'll do a good job of quenching the fires, but that may be all you get. My friend and business partner, Peter Daiseme of Hostt Free Hosting says, “Make time to answer emails, but don't let them dictate your day. Make a plan of attack at the beginning of each day, then do your best to keep it up.”
Automating processes and workflows obviously generates huge returns on efficiency, but sometimes we forget that most of our productivity is accomplished through sustained periods of time where we think, work hard and make progress, not through smaller and smaller increments in our pending assignment list applications or finer details using our trade tools.
Researchers at Florida State University found that elite performers (chess players, athletes, musicians, etc.) who work in intervals of not longer than 80 minutes are more productive than those who work more than 80 minutes. They also found that high achievers tended to work not more than 4.5 hours a day. Seems really good thing to me!
Calendars are by far the least used productivity tool. Reminders go well with good planning. As soon as you enter the week into your calendar, your productivity has some bars to guide you.
There is power in goal setting, and popular smart phone features are a simple way to stay productive and focused. Save goals and set reminders to keep them on top of your interests.