To be more productive at
work is not rocket science. But it does require how you manage time. John
Rampton has suggested 15 ways to increase productivity but I am selecting just
ten.
(i) Track
and Limit
If we track time spent on
social media, email, processing and other apps, we may be able to estimate
passage of time and that excludes meetings. Some say only 17% of people are able
to track.
(ii) Regular
Breaks
Scheduled breaks can
actually improve concentration. Some research again shows that short breaks
during long tasks help maintain level of performance. Conversely, no breaks
lead to decline in performance.
(iii) Self-imposed
Deadlines
Many of us think stress
is a bad thing but at manageable levels, self-imposed stress is helpful to meet
goals and keep the focus. So watching the clock has benefits.
(iv) “Two-Minute”
Rule
Entrepreneur Steve
Olenski suggests the two-minute rule for tasks or action that can be done in
that period and so do that immediately. That builds confidence and success in
completing more complex tasks.
(v) Limit
Meetings
Meetings are one of the
biggest time wasters. The average office worker spends 31 hours each month in a
meeting. The average civil servant spends perhaps more than double that!
Ask yourself what can be
accomplished by email, WhatsApp or other web-based device, before scheduling a
meeting.
If you absolutely must
have a meeting, then have a standing meeting. That will limit time spent.
(vi) Quit
Multitasking
Many think multitasking
is great for improving efficiency – the opposite is true. Trying several tasks
at once results is lost time and productivity – psychologists testify to this!
So move from one task to another sequentially.
(vii) Give-up
“Perfection”
The illusion of
perfection can waste any entrepreneur’s time. Just do the best and move on. If
need be, come back later and adjust what can be adjusted!
(viii) Work
in 90-minute Intervals
Researchers at Florida
State University found elite performers (athletes, chess players, musicians
etc.) work in intervals of no more than 90 minutes. And so the actual work time
is certainly less than 8 hours.
(ix) Minimise
Interruptions
Interruptions are when
you have unscheduled visitor. Brief interruptions hamper work pattern and hence
productivity. So you may need to close the door or work from home for real,
sensitive projects.
(x) Commute
Time
Some of us may use public
transport, like a train, and still others may have a driver to ferry them to work,
then use that time to reply emails, check on the news, or do some brain
storming.
There you have it – ten
ways to increase productivity! Try 2-3 of the above and see if it works for
you!
Reference:
15
ways to increase productivity at work,
John Rempton
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