Becoming As Productive And Efficient As Possible At Work

getting distracted because of texting while workingAll of the new technology obviously makes productivity at the workplace a lot easier, but it can also become a distraction as well, once the actual work at hand begins to suffer. How so? To stay on top of things, what’s required is being as diligent as possible to minimize all of the distractions.

So despite the obvious efficiencies and streamlining of modern day hi-tech, this same technology can also place a burden and a bigger strain on the actual output of the work.

It begins with you needing to juggle your time replying to the 42 emails, while there are dozens more clogging up your inbox. The productivity of the actual work as a result quickly begins to be shoved back.

Today’s modern day employees are now expected to be available for access 24/7, while hosting video conference calls with clients from across the globe. They also become obsessed with texting and checking their email accounts during important meetings, and there’s no way to keep off Twitter, or their Facebook accounts anytime during the workday, they’re just way too convenient.

So whatever your distractions may be, which cuts directly into your actual work, the following are steps which can help you to increase your productivity.

Increasing Productivity And Efficiency At The Workplace

Begin With What You Don’t Enjoy Doing… First
So you need to get up early, or are forced to do so, usually before anyone else does. This is the ideal time for you to do your most important tasks, the most arduous, or the most annoying yet vital assignments for the day ahead. You should also do so before the phone calls, or the emails begin pouring in for the day.

The first 90 minutes of the workday are usually the most productive, which will get you off to a great start, so spend this time to do what need to get done. Make a point of getting the most undesirable, or the most time consuming tasks out of the way early.

If you don’t happen to be a morning person, then you should identify when your best personal productivity “peak time” is, where you’re able to fully dedicate your efforts to fulfill your highest priority tasks.

Breaking Up Tasks Into Smaller Pieces
It can easily become extremely overwhelming and stressful if you have a number of large ongoing and pressing assignments or projects on your desk, which are due shortly. So the best method is to just conscientiously attack them by breaking them down into workable pieces, and then begin chipping away.

What this does is it discourages procrastination or finding yourself buried in an insurmountable bind. So if you’re facing a large project, and if you separate it into manageable smaller chunks, like mini-projects, then also set up personal deadlines for them. This way, you can then tackle and complete these smaller tasks which will keep you focused as well as on track.

Make Sure You Pay Attention When You Need To
We’ve all been in meetings where we ask a question only to realize that we just need clarification because we weren’t paying attention, we were distracted. So put down your mobile phone, stop doodling on the notepad, and turn off your laptop during these meetings or conference calls.

Don’t go through the motions since there’s nothing worth doing unless you’re totally and completely engaged. It can become difficult to disconnect at times, but try giving it a shot. The result is how much more that you’ll be able to get out of these meetings once you give it your full attention.

Things That Can Wait
Being as responsive and available as possible is absolutely a critical motive for most professionals. So don’t allow the influx of all the texts or emails to easily distract you from getting your most important work done.

But rather avoid these distractions by setting up a “communications-free” period on a daily basis. Set up a dedicated span of of time, say 2 hours everyday, for instance from 9.30AM to 11.30AM, where you completely commit yourself to work, without any distractions.

If you’re an administrator or a manager dedicated to this, it’s then also helpful and recommended that you set the proper tone so others can follow your lead.

Make Sure You Note Important Ideas
As in writing them down. This can occur when an important or brilliant idea pops into your head. Jotting things down on a piece of paper is the most obvious exercise that many fail to do.

This because we often already have too much on our plates, or are involved in too many meetings, that we can’t remember all of the critical ideas and thoughts that we generate throughout the day.

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Recognizing Downtime By Taking Breaks
At times, being the most productive, getting our brightest ideas, often occurs while we’re relaxing, doing something that we enjoy doing. This can be while we’re cruising down the freeway with the top down, or playing a game of tennis in the afternoon, during the yoga class, while reading a mystery novel, or during dinner with your friends or family.

The point being it’s important to know and recognize when you need some down time, this to refuel and regenerate yourself and recharge. This way, you can be ready, set, and raring to go by attacking your “to-do” list the following day.

Perhaps the most important part of better productivity is developing a system which works the best for you, and then sticking with it. Make sure that you completely engage and dedicate yourself in whatever you do, whether it’s completing a project, or meeting with a client.

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