The word productivity is
often used in the workplace. It can describe the performance of individual
workers, a department, or even an entire industry. Attempts to
increase productivity by multi-tasking, working longer hours, and remaining
constantly tied to technology often backfires.
The harder we work to get ore done, the more likely we’ll feel frustrated by our lack of attention span and reduced performance. The solution to decreased productivity isn’t that we should try to work even longer hours. Instead, we can take steps to work smarter instead of harder and we’ll get the same job done in less time.
Working smarter is something that we all strive to achieve and most top inspirational sites and blogs have covered it in one way or another – here is a compilation of the best ideas for working smarter, not harder.
Limit your to-do list
One way to
do this is by choosing 1–3 most important tasks. These are the big, tough
tasks for your day that you really need to get done - The ones that will keep
you in the office past finishing time or working after dinner if you don’t get
through them. The rest of your to-do list can be filled up with minor tasks
that you’d like to do, so long as you’ve prioritized 1–3 most important tasks.
Make sure you work on these before you move on to anything minor and you’ll
probably find you feel a whole lot more productive at the end of the day.
Make a “to don’t” list.
Prepare a
list that contains all the things you shouldn’t waste your time on – useless
tasks, unnecessary meetings, worthless phone calls, and so on. Then place it
next to your to-do-list – and stick to it
Guard your calendar.
Make sure
your time is focused on your one or two top priorities. Ask yourself: “Is this
how I want to be spending my time right now?” Remember: you are your
calendar. So treat your calendar with respect.
Never
say up front that you can beat a deadline.
Just
turn your work in early and look like a hero. Related advice (which is ancient
but unassailable): Under-promise, over-deliver.
Work in chunks.
Instead of
sitting down to complete an entire project, sit down to accomplish one goal
element or work for a certain number of hours. Forcing yourself to complete the
entirety of a project or complex task will stress you out and make you less
productive. Instead, allow yourself to work in shorter “bursts” to
keep your mind fresh and reduce your anxiety. That way, you can work to the very
best of your ability.
Prioritize your work
80 percent
of your accomplishments come from 20 percent of your efforts. So think
strategically: What 20 percent of your work is the most valuable—to you and to
your employer? Once you’ve identified it, try to focus the lion’s share of your
time and energy in that direction. Learn to say no to nonresidential
demands. And don’t waste time perfecting every interoffice memo when
you could spend the time more profitably on something else.
Schedule Concentration Time
Block out
some time every day when you can’t be disturbed except in an
emergency. Use that time to get the most important tasks of the day done. If
someone stops by your desk and asks for a moment of your time, you can honestly
and politely reply, “No, I’m in the middle of something right now, and I
can’t give you my full attention.” Close the door to your office if you
can.
Be Social at Work
Chitchat can
be very important because it builds relationships and helps you stay
plugged into the office grapevine. Share a joke, anecdote, or personal story
while standing at the photocopier or waiting for a meeting to start. Schedule a
coffee break with an office buddy. Also, consider helping organize the company
sales drive and annual activities.
Establish a closing ritual.
Know when to
stop working. Try to end each work day the same way, too. Straighten up your
desk. Back up your computer. Make a list of what you need to do tomorrow.
It does seem
strange, but slowing down can actually speed up your productivity. Be more in
the moment, but make sure to rest when you need it and you’ll certainly find
that your productive time is even more productive.
At Rayneau Group of Companies Ltd, we believe in working smarter, not harder, and wish you the best in achieving that goal.
