Though the work may be challenging and demanding a lot of attention, a big problem that many of us experience at times is becoming too overwhelmed by it all. Instead, we can waste time trying to figure out where to start first. However, there are some simple surprising ways to become more efficient at work that can help increase productivity that you may have overlooked.
The first and best thing to do is to step back and take a deep breath, then concentrate on the biggest or the hardest task first. The reason I say this is because whatever else that needs to be done only gets easier, which helps lift some of that pressure. Allocating your time like this by completing the less minor tasks next and then crossing them off your to-do list or schedule will speed up results.
Another way to increase productivity at work and become more efficient is stop doubting yourself. Wasting too much time constantly redoing tasks such as writing a report because you feel it still is not perfect is counterproductive. Take a leap of faith in what you believed was good instead of letting self doubt keep you from moving to another task. After all, what is the worst that could happen?
Delivering perfection for quality work is a goal to strive for. However, to increase productivity to become efficient at work can be better achieved by forming a preliminary idea that you can draw upon with a plan and expand upon it. If you work with a team, make sure that they are on the same page about the path to take to develop that concept and get their feedback.
Avoid unnecessary traps of checking for new emails, text messages, social media or responding to phone calls as soon as you start work in the morning can be distractions that affect productivity. Reading or replying can take away your focus in another direction when you later try to begin that first task. What can be useful is set your email account for an automatic reply, which can be a polite way to let the other person know that you are busy.
Some of us seem to thrive when forced to work under pressure. If you’re one of them, then to increase efficiency as soon as you know the due date of a project, set your calender online to send you an alert a few days before the actual date. This simple reminder can help with motivation and the needed action required.
You may be so busy trying to complete all those tasks that you forget to eat. But neglecting food can cause a low glucose level in the body that can make it hard to concentrate on what you’re doing. After all, food is a powerful factor in our cognitive performance. One of the best things that you can do for yourself if you can’t leave that office is to keep some fresh fruit or raw cleaned vegetables that are cut in thin slices or sticks in a plastic zip-lock bag to snack on. The reason a stash of fresh fruit or raw vegetables at work can help becoming more efficient is because it has been studied to help well-being, curiosity and creativity.
