The need to increase work productivity is a challenge no individual or business can overlook. Considering a Bureau of Labor Statistics report, most Americans spend more on the job than they do sleeping. Productivity has become quite essential than ever. However, it’s equally interesting to know that not all the time spends in the office is spent working. If you have to work with little or no supervision or run a business, it’s easy to get caught in a routine and the mundane, especially for remote workers. Indeed, everyone experiences downtimes, but you may often be unknowing doing things that dampen your productivity.
A proactive approach to productivity will help better results. If you wish to boost your daily output and mitigate productivity killers, here are six useful tips you can use immediately.
1 Eliminate Motivation Killers
The first step in solving any problem is to identify the problem. To increase your productivity, you first need to find out those things that work against your motivation and drive to achieve more during work. Here, you’ll need to critically observe your surrounding, both personal and professional, for any problems that adversely influence your motivation to work.
Some common demotivators at work include toxic people, autocratic leadership, and lack of development opportunities.
2 Set SMART Goals and Remain Accountable
Naturally, you will perform better if you have a target that you need to achieve. That’s why specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals are so effective at driving workplace performance. Whether you’re self-employed or answering to a supervisor, setting daily goals and meeting these targets can be very rewarding at a personal level.
You can have long and short-term goals that guide your daily and weekly actions and determine your work pace. Once you’ve outlined these expectations, you’ll need to be accountable and provide regular feedback that shows you’re on track.
3 Be Responsible With Technology
It’s almost unthinkable to leave out the technology in today’s workplace. Whether you’re working from a home office or commuting to the way, technology plays an integral role in efficiency, depending on your level of dependency. Like most tools, technology is only as good as its user.
And though it can increase your productivity in many ways, it can also be a significant cause of distractions. Some work and project management tools such as Trello and Asana can significantly help increase performance. Hence, you should try a line that demarcates where efficiency end and where technology starts to hinder productivity.
4 Set Standards And Develop Skills
You should establish a standard for your brand and work diligently to meet this standard always. Colleagues, superiors, and clients should know what to expect from you. Not only will they come to admire and respect you for this, but you’ll also become familiar with meeting these standards each to sit down to work.
Absent explicit expectations that show your standards, it’s easy to find excuses and fall short of your targets. One way to ensure that you’re always moving forward is to identify development opportunities to help you advance professionally and sharpen your skills.
5 Develop The Ideal Workflow
So now you’re motivated and ready to put in the time. But how do you proceed from one task to another and spend your time efficiently? This is a problem many professionals struggle with, especially remote workers.
The solution lies in planning your workday such that the priorities of each day are clearly outlined. You don’t want only to work hard. Instead, you want to work smart. Thus, conserving your energy and resources and doing your best work at the right time. Chances are you may have some extra time on your hands if you develop a proper workflow.
6 Manage Your Workspace
Managing your workspace can be particularly vital if you work from home because many fall for the temptation to work from the bed, couch, or easy-chair. You may never know how this affects your productivity until you begin working from a consistent room with a desk, chair, and some office equipment.
Even in the corporate world, your immediate working environment affects productivity. Therefore, keep your workspace tidy and free from distractions. You’ll notice the shift in energy level when you get into the right space and sit down to work. It may be the best time you spent being productive.
Conclusion
It’s a challenge to make significant changes to your daily routine and build a more productive work-life balance. However, it is possible to become a high performer if you can make a few simple changes to your workspace and routine. Looking on the bright side, the fact that you’re reading about ways to increase your productivity means you’re already on the right track. Now, you just need to take a few more steps to reach your true potentials professionally. Remember, everyone is different, and you’ll have to find what works for you.