7 Tips For Increased Productivity At Work
7 Tips For improve efficiency, how to productivity improvement
“Don’t be afraid to give your best to what seemingly are small jobs. Every time you conquer one it makes you that much stronger. If you do the little jobs well, the big ones will tend to take care of themselves” – Dale Carnegie (1)
Staying productive at work 100% of the time is easier said than done. It is not uncommon to feel uninspired due to repetitive tasks, too much routine, or unchallenging work. All of these can lead to periods of unproductiveness, and this is hard to combat. Motivation does not always come naturally, and it takes a conscious effort to remain focused and engaged at all times. The following strategies offer a few good ways to start increasing work productivity:
Know your Goals
It’s easy to get lost in everyday tasks, and the work weeks can start to blend together. If you can remember what your ultimate goal is, you can more easily see the importance of each step in the process and how it will help you achieve a certain result. Being able to see your progress can be hugely motivating and help you stay dedicated to your work.
Look Forward to Something
Oftentimes, tasks are difficult or stressful no matter how you approach them. To help cope with this, give yourself something to look forward to that occurs outside of work. Whether it’s the weekend, plans with friends, or the latest episode of your favorite TV show, having something that you know you’ll truly enjoy can help you push through tough days with more success.
Make it a Game
As a way to challenge yourself, try making a game out of your tasks by pushing yourself to new limits. See how fast you can get something done, or give yourself a reward with a snack break after several hours of consistent work. Always be challenging yourself to find new ways to improve.
Find a Coach
It can be easier to find inspiration if you have another person to turn to for encouragement. A coach or mentor can help you feel motivated when you need it most. This person can be a coworker you feel comfortable with, a family member, or a close friend. It should be someone you can trust and confide in, and someone whose words will inspire you. Simply hearing the thoughts of an outsider who is able to see the big picture can help you be more productive and remember what you’re working toward.
Rest and Eat Right
It’s something we all easily forget about, but it’s nearly impossible to feel motivated – let alone productive at work – without proper rest and nutrition. Eating well and getting enough sleep will make you feel refreshed and recharged when you wake up in the morning. This feeling of being well-rested will give you the energy you need to stay focused and on-task throughout the day.
Envision the Outcome
Sometimes it helps to visualize things in order to accomplish them. Instead of focusing on the amount of work you need to do, envision yourself completing it all. If you can imagine the final outcome and the great feeling you will have when it’s all done, the work will seem more manageable.
Remember the Big Picture
Ultimately, your productivity impacts other facets of your work life and personal life. At work, you are building skills that you will be able to apply at future points in your career. Every moment you spend working is therefore important to improving your value as an employee and to increasing your overall success. The ability to be self-motivated, work productively, and stay focused will transcend the workplace and be applicable to all areas of your life.