Productivity is not about spending long hours but instead how much work a person can complete in a short amount of time. Working long hours doesn’t necessarily mean working more productively. There are many causes of low work productivity, such as lack of proper training, a toxic and stressful workspace, lack of communication between coworkers and supervisors, and many more. Luckily, there are several ways people can increase their work productivity, regardless of the environment of their workplace.
● Multitasking elimination
The first and most cliché way that anyone would tell employees is to stop multitasking. It may be a cliché, but it’s useful and shows significant improvements to work productivity. The reason multitasking decreases efficiency is pure science; the simple human brain cannot comprehend multiple tasks altogether and switches from one task to another, exhausting the mind so much that the person does not want to work anymore. Thus, lowering work productivity. To prevent this, a person should stick to one task and complete it. This way, most jobs are completed in a short amount of time without the brain getting exhausted.
● Eliminating distractions
It’s essential and vital for any task to be completed without distraction. Not only is it highly efficient, but it also makes it less susceptible to errors. Before starting your day, have things of your importance, such as pencils, sticky notes, papers, etc. on your desk. If possible, ask not to be bothered by other co-workers and keep the door closed, so people you don’t want to be distracted. Distractions don’t always have to be physical. An employee should keep themselves focused on the task at hand and not think about other things.
● Complete the most significant task first
A person with several goals to reach should try to reach the most significant goal in their head. Completing the biggest task on the list also gives you more time to work on smaller tasks, meaning all the other tasks will take less time, increasing productivity. This applies to many other types of tasks, such as chores at home and studies.
● Silence all electronics
Smartphones and tablets are, according to research, the biggest reason that employees have low work productivity. Silencing notifications will help not only increase productivity but a person’s health. An employee spends ¾ of their time on screens; buzzing notifications do not support the cause and may result in headaches, which slows down the efficiency of a worker.
● Take short breaks
After a workout, the human body needs rest, and just like that, the human brain needs rest too. Taking a short 10 minutes break or more after each task may help in increasing work productivity. The short intervals will give the brain time to relax and catch its metaphorical breath. Others might see this as a waste of time, but the outcome of the tasks is guaranteed to be perfect and error-free, which boosts work productivity.
It’s important to know that productivity shouldn’t always have you in a panic mode. Taking short breaks, refreshing your mind, organizing tasks, and decluttering are some ways you can boost work productivity instantly.
