Tips for Staying Productive at the Workplace

You get into your office, a few minutes before work begins, holding a coffee in your hand because frankly, you need that early morning caffeine boost. You like your job, but it is difficult to hit the floor feeling productive every single day. It even becomes harder when your job involves sitting down for extended periods. This might be the nature of your job, so, how do you prevent burnout and change things up a little to make a space that is more enjoyable and productive?

Fortunately, there are several things that you can do to set the tone and keep you motivated to be productive at work. In this read, we are going to discuss 10 strategies that you can apply today to stay productive at the workplace, regardless of your role at the office:

1. Plan

Make a habit of getting to your desk several minutes earlier and making a list of things to do before you embark on your job. A work time tracker will help you remain focused throughout the day. Also, ensure that you put the important tasks at the top of your list.

2. Power Hour

It is advisable to dedicate the first hour to doing as much as you can as this is when you are extremely fresh and active. During this time, you’ll want to avoid things like voicemails, email inboxes, blogs, and the like. By getting straight to work, you will be able to set a tone that puts you in a productive state and gives you a great sense of accomplishment by the end of the day.

3. Time Chunking

In order to remain more happily involved in your project throughout the day, it is imperative to shift your focus between repetitive or tedious and those that are more engaging. Assign a time frame for each task and go back and forth between them.

4. Take Breaks

When you were a child, chances are you enjoyed recess more than the classes. However, your teachers knew that you required small breaks in order to learn better. Well, the same concept applies to work. Allocating time periods when it is okay to get distracted can play a role in making you more productive throughout the rest of the day. However, you will want to keep the breaks small to avoid too much distraction.

5. Organize Your Email

If you have a lot of correspondence on the regular, then you’ll want to maintain your sanity by keeping your email inbox organized. Consider filters and folders to keep the inbox organized and you will enjoy the benefits similar to a tidy cubicle or desk.

6. Rock the Clock

Instead of working on a task until it is done, consider having a set period of time and then shift to another one. This will help get rid of the tedium that comes with working on the same thing while keeping you productive throughout the day.

7. Hydrate

Drinking water is imperative for a wide array of health reasons. So, fill up that water bottle and keep it close to you throughout. Having a water bottle by your side will prevent the need to get up from your desk over and over to get more water, thus distracting you from work. A good recommendation is a one-liter bottle, which you can refill during lunch break.

8. Listen to Music

For most people, music helps them settle into their work routine. Low-volume music will help avoid distractions from the noise at the workplace. However, ensure you pick a playlist that will help you remain focused. Classic music, for example, has been shown to increase IQ and so, you may want to give it a try.

9. Leave the Desk for Lunch

When it’s lunchtime, you will want to take a break away from your desk. This may disrupt your productivity flow, but it gives the much-required respite and relaxation from work. Enjoy the lunch break and once you go back to your desk, you will notice an increase in energy and focus. Another way to boost your energy during this time is light exercise. A quick walk around the park or up the stairs should do the trick.

10. Keep it Professional

Deal with personal emails and calls on your own time.  By separating professional and personal life, you will be able to focus more on what needs to be done at work. If you have important personal things to handle, deal with them during breaks.