You have a set number of hours at work each day. Because of this, you must take steps to make the most of your time. You have two basic options to increase your output—put in more hours or work smarter. For most people, working smarter is the preferred option.
Increasing your productivity is not rocket science. However, you do have to be more deliberate when it comes to time management. Keep reading for some tips to increase your efficiency and productivity while at work.
Set goals
Success is dependent on setting goals. You can create goals to help you shape your path. It can be an extremely effective way to improve overall productivity and efficiency.
Sometimes, issues arise if the goals you set aren’t realistic. While creating goals is important, you need to determine the number of resources and the time your goals require to achieve. You may think you can skip steps to achieve your goals, but if you don’t take your time and account for each step along the way, you may end up failing completely.
While this is true, goals are extremely effective when it comes to increasing efficiency. They also help you focus on the desired outcome. Take time to set realistic goals and see your efficiency and productivity increase significantly.
Track time
You may believe you are good at gauging the amount of time you spend on certain tasks. Unfortunately, research has shown that just 17 percent of people can actually estimate how much time has passed accurately.
Now is the time to begin tracking how much time various tasks take. Once you know this, you can find ways to increase efficiency and reduce this time. For example, if you waste time traveling back and forth to the office to pack orders, consider investing in a mobile packing station. You can still get the job done and reduce travel time, making you more efficient.
Ditch digital devices
Like most people, you probably spend a lot of your time staring at a screen (of some type) during the day. Even if using a computer is part of your job, other digital devices are a distraction. In some cases, they can even impact your health.
Take steps to improve your work efficiency by stepping away from your computer or smartphone. During a meeting, take notes on paper, which will help you remember what is discussed and improve your thought processes.
If social media is distracting you, but you still have to access other websites for work, consider using a productivity app that will ensure you only access sites related to your day-to-day work. You should also put your phone on silent while you work, which will help you remain focused on what you are trying to accomplish.
Take breaks
While it may sound slightly counterintuitive, scheduling and taking breaks throughout the day will help improve your concentration. Research has shown that taking several short breaks during a long task can help you maintain a steady performance level. However, if you work with no breaks, your performance will begin to decline as time passes.
Say no
You may feel pressure from yourself or from others and wind up taking on tasks you should avoid. You may want to prove you can multitask, resulting in you taking on things you should delegate to other people. You may relate the word “no” to a missed opportunity or failure; however, this isn’t the case.
Take steps to learn to say no if you already have enough to do or if you aren’t interested in taking on a task. Also, try delegating smaller tasks to people around you. Taking time to free up your schedule will help you better focus on the work that matters most. This also helps you improve overall work efficiency and productivity.
Use the two-minute rule
The two-minute rule is used to help you make use of the small amounts of time you have to get something done. The idea is if you have an action or task that you know can be handled in two minutes or less that you take care of right away. Handling this task and getting it out of the way will be more beneficial than coming back to it later on.
Avoid meetings
One of the biggest efficiency killers around today is meetings. Unfortunately, they are booked every day, killing productivity potential. If you want to improve your efficiency, avoid meetings when you can.
If you want to increase efficiency and productivity at work, be sure to take steps in the right direction. The tips and information above will help you get started. Chances are, you can find other ways to increase your daily efficiency, too. Doing so will help you get more done and feel more accomplished at the end of the day.
