20 June is a very special day. Are you wondering why? Well, as well as being Vanilla Milkshake Day, Filter Bag Day and International Surfing Day, it’s also Productivity Day. It’s the perfect day to reflect on your own productivity at work. Because let’s be honest: we often let ourselves get distracted by trivial matters, which ends up holding us back. A coffee break here, checking WhatsApp messages there. Even these seemingly brief activities can cost a lot of time in the long run. This usually results in stressful periods, as you have to meet a project deadline but have wasted too much time beforehand. However, there are a few tips for working more productively and efficiently. Not only does this make you feel satisfied, but it can also be reflected in your pay packet.
The biggest time-wasters in the workplace
Topping the list of the biggest time-wasters in the workplace is the personal use of smartphones and tablets. Just quickly checking a distant acquaintance’s Facebook status or replying to a message from your best friend can, when added up, take up a considerable amount of time. But real-life gossip in the coffee kitchen can hinder your productivity just as much. Researchers have found that after such a distraction, it takes almost 20 minutes to really get back into the task at hand.
Sometimes, however, it is not just personal communication that hinders your productivity. Business meetings – or even just emails – can also disrupt your workflow. What is intended as a tool to help organise tasks can, if overused, have the opposite effect. Employees feel disrupted when they are called to a third meeting within four hours, which subsequently turns out to be irrelevant. In such cases, it is the employer’s responsibility to identify and reduce unimportant meetings. However, there are some very simple ways in which you yourself can boost productivity.
Tips for boosting productivity in the office
Limiting your activity on social media requires a bit of self-discipline. However, you can support this with the help of certain apps, such as Freedom. The programme blocks social media apps and websites on your laptop for a set period of time. This way, you won’t even be tempted to distract yourself in the first place. Coffee or smoking breaks aren’t a bad thing in principle. They give you a chance to chat with other colleagues, which clears your head and allows you to get back to work with renewed energy. However, these breaks should remain a special treat.
It’s best to arrange to meet your colleagues at specific times, thereby reducing the number of breaks you take. Such meetings can also serve as a reward for the work you’ve done. For business meetings, you can ask for an agenda in advance and even decline to attend if you consider the meeting irrelevant to you and your work. So-called ‘dailies’ can be helpful here, where a small group of colleagues get together every morning for a maximum of 15 minutes to discuss what’s on the agenda for the day.
You can also boost productivity at your desk using very simple methods. You should ensure that it is tidy and that you always have all your essential materials to hand. A suitable ergonomic office chair and adequate lighting help you work efficiently. Feel free to speak to your employer if there’s anything you feel is missing to boost productivity in the office. If you explain that this will enable you to work more efficiently, they’ll certainly be happy to accommodate your request. The COLLECTION Business Centres offer office spaces equipped with every possible comfort. The fully equipped offices provide a pleasant and quiet working atmosphere, with stylish touches that are a treat for the eyes. Boosting productivity in the office should therefore be straightforward.
Cover image: © Shutterstock/kan_chana
