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The concept of productivity is as old as the idea of work. Since always, people have been trying to do their best at work. Productivity has also been one of the most sought after attributes in employees and companies across the world prefer people who can maintain their productivity even in stressful situations.
But it is still not a value that every employee can boast. There are some tricks that you can use to master the art of productivity.
Track and limit how much time you’re spending on tasks. Only 17 per cent of people are able to accurately estimate the passage of time. It is important to know how much you spend on daily tasks.
Take regular breaks. Plan and keep equal intervals between your one-stretch sitting time, so that you can refresh your mind as and when needed. Taking scheduled breaks can actually help improve concentration and maintain a constant level of performance.
Multi-tasking is a good idea, but not so good when it comes to work. Attempting to do several tasks at once can result in lost time and productivity.
Organise and be proactive. Have a plan in hand and then do your best to stick to it.
A good looking office with elements that are soothing and pleasing has a positive impact on your productivity levels. Research shows that aesthetically pleasing elements in the workplace can increase productivity by up to 15 per cent.
Even brief interruptions appear to produce a change in work pattern and a corresponding drop in productivity, say experts. Minimise interruptions when you are working on time-sensitive projects.
Sometimes, looking at daily tasks and long-term goals can be overwhelming. Make small goals for a day. This will keep you on track in your day-to-day work life and make the bigger projects seem less discouraging.
Take care of the biggest and most demanding tasks in the morning. The time you are most alert is when you are most productive too.
Never take your hard work for granted, or beat up on yourself for not ticking off tasks from your list. Only you can be your biggest motivation and if you decide to judge yourself on wrong metrics, there are chances you’ll prove yourself true.
Always make workplace friends who are encouraging and positive. After all, a man is known by the company he keeps. And this is true for the workplace as well. Having positive people around can have dramatically better results when it comes to productivity.
Nasreen Syed is Senior Account Executive at Cicero & Bernay Public Relations, an independent PR agency headquartered in Dubai offering new-age public relations consultancy to the UAE and across the MENA region. | www.cbpr.me