Five easy ways to be more productive at work


It’s a great feeling when the work day comes to an end and you have accomplished everything that you had planned to do. The bad news is that this feeling of accomplishment isn’t always achievable. You find yourself starting the day with a full to-do list, and by the end of the day you’ve only manage to cross out half of the tasks. You try to push yourself as hard as you can but it simply doesn’t work. In the end, work keeps piling up, you fall behind your deadlines, and your level of productivity puts your job at risk.

Being productive at work without overexerting yourself is possible. All you need is a few simple guidelines and you’ll be leaving the office a satisfied worker every day. Here are five ways you can become more productive at work:

Five easy ways to be more productive at work

1. Plan your day

For any goal, you need a plan. If you want to accomplish something during your work day, lay out a plan as to how you’re going to do it. Make a list of all the tasks you need to do, then assign them timelines and deadlines. It is advisable to schedule those tasks that are more challenging in the morning, when you’re still fresh and highly attentive. Keep a schedule for the tasks that you carry out every day.

2. Avoid multitasking

Multitasking is very tempting when you have a lot of things to take care of within a limited amount of time. This is the wrong way to do things, though, as evidenced by several studies which indicate that multitasking leads to diminished productivity due to reduced creativity, poor memory and a higher chance of errors. Tackle one task at a time for assured quality. That way you won’t spend a lot of your time correcting earlier mistakes.

3. Take breaks

As much as you want to get as much work done as possible, giving up a few minutes for a break every couple of hours will increase your productivity. A simple walk to the restroom or going outside the office for your lunch break can refresh you enough to allow you to keep on at a steady performance level. If you don’t take time for a quick refreshing snack or muscle stretch, fatigue, hunger, and frustration will be sure to cut down on your productivity.

4. Be punctual

Leaving the work place at the required time is just as important as getting there on time. Avoid overworking yourself with the hope of getting more work done. Any work you do during overtime when you’re fatigued will probably be full of errors. Leaving work on time will make sure that you get enough time to rest and come back refreshed the next day.

Five easy ways to be more productive at work

5. Get rid of distractions

Your constant email checks may seem harmless, but the truth is that they eat a lot into your time, concentration, and ultimately your productivity. This also includes phone notifications and frequent visits to your social media accounts. Save these activities for your short breaks and lunchtime, when they cannot get in the way of your concentration. Even better, schedule them for the evening, at the end of your work day.

Incorporating these easy habits into your work day will leave you with fewer unfinished projects at the end of the day. Making these simple changes can make your life at work better and more satisfying.

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