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We’re a few months into the year now, and for many, it’s around this time that they hit a bit of a slump in productivity at work. The novelty of a new year and that brand new start may have worn off and the grind may be wearing them down a little.
So, what can you do if staying motivated and moving along at work is becoming a harder and harder task each day? Contract Accountants has some advice to keep that productivity going.
Time yourself
One of the most demotivating things at work is starting a task with no clear end to it in sight, especially if that task is an arduous one. By allocating timeframes to every task or job you have to do, you tend to work more efficiently and get things done in a more timely manner. If it’s a large task, break it up into sections so that you’re not spending hours on end on the same thing. Set your own deadlines and stick to them.
Prioritise
Take time every morning to assign a level of priority to everything you need to accomplish that day. This will help you get a clear picture of what you need to do and allow you to order your workload.
Take breaks
It sounds pretty obvious but so few actually do it. When you’re faced with a busy day, breaks are often the first things to go, to the detriment of your productivity. Breaks are incredibly important to give yourself not only time to relax but time to reflect as well. You’ll find you not become more efficient with your work, but your quality of work will improve as well.
Learn to say no
This doesn’t mean you become a troublesome team member, it simply means that you need to consider saying no to requests, meetings and the like. Is it a meeting you really have to be in? Is it a task that would be better suited to someone else? We all want to be as helpful as possible in the workplace but don’t be afraid to be a little discerning when requests come your way.
Stop doing so many things at once
Contrary to popular belief, multi-tasking is a productivity killer. When your attention is spread between a range of tasks, they will all take longer to accomplish and usually to a poorer standard. By directing your time properly, and prioritising, (see above) you will be able to accomplish all of the tasks you need to on time without overlapping them.
Silence your cell phone
If you’re in a line of work where this is possible, take periods during the day where you are not going to be disturbed by notifications that an email came through, a tweet was responded to, or a SMS was sent about what time dinner starts on Friday night. It’s a good idea to do this for the tasks that require the most concentration.
Allocate email time
Reading and responding to emails can be huge interruptions throughout your day that can really interfere with your productivity. By allocating time slots for checking and responding you can avoid that constant interruption and you will eventually get to a point whereby you are able to forget about emails during the in-between periods and concentrate on the task at hand.
Stay clutter free
Boosting productivity isn’t just about the way you arrange your working day, it’s also about the environment around you. Clutter is a surefire way to ruin efficiency in the workplace, so make sure you keep that desk tidy.
We all have lulls in productivity at certain points during the year. By stepping back and reviewing where you could be helping yourself more, you will be able to approach your work with renewed motivation.