Productivity: How to Improve Your Workday Bryan Ziegenfuse
Introduction More companies are offering employees the freedom to complete tasks without being micromanaged. There are work-from-home days, flex hours, and online meetings where you don’t have to leave your desk or your home. However, this can be troublesome for those who have relied on a schedule and solid deadlines.
There are a few smart things you can do to increase your daily productivity either in the office or when working from home while not having to work harder. Try implementing these five tips for improving your workday and managing your schedule efficiently.
Conquer One Task at a Time If you have a to-do list, prioritize it and tackle one item on that list at a time until it is completed. While multitasking may seem like you are getting more accomplished, it actually hinders your productivity. It is much more efficient to complete a task, take a break, and go on to the next project.
Move Often As mentioned, taking a break is a good idea after completing a task. Get up and move to clear your head and realign your body. Take this a step further. A good practice is to set your phone to remind you to walk or stretch every 30 to 60 minutes. This increases oxygen to your brain and keeps your joints and muscles from becoming stiff and out of alignment.
Delegate Jobs that Others Can Do It is important to know the strengths of your team and to have faith in them. There is no reason for you to do everything, such as making copies, going to the post office, or picking up coffee. If you have a staff, use them to take care of things that are not a productive use of your time. In fact, hire an intern and make good use of his or her service at an affordable pay rate.
Skip the Junk & Fast Food Do you hit that 2:00 PM slump where you are craving a candy bar, a cup of coffee, or a nap? This won’t happen if you eat a good breakfast with plenty of dietary fiber to hold you until lunch. Enjoy a healthy salad with lean protein at lunch.
Clear Your Desk and Organize at the End of the Day A good practice to put in place is to dedicate the last 15 to 30 minutes of your day to declutter and organize your desk. Fill out your timesheet, if required to do so. Answer emails and return phone calls. Arrange your tasks for tomorrow in terms of priority. Then, walk away from your desk for the night. Coming into an organized office in the morning is setting you up for success rather than failure or defeat.
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