10 Ways to Increase Productivity at Work and Become More Effective

Sam Williams
6 min readFeb 25, 2022

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Are you struggling to get things done at work? Feeling overwhelmed and constantly behind schedule? You’re not alone. A lot of people find it difficult to focus and be productive in an office environment. In this blog post, we will discuss 10 ways that you can increase your productivity and become more effective in the workplace. Implementing even a few of these tips should help you get on track and start seeing results!

#1 Track And Limit How Much Time You’re Spending On Tasks

It’s easy to lose track of time when you’re engrossed in a task. Before you know it, hours have passed and you’ve accomplished very little. To make sure this doesn’t happen, start tracking the amount of time you spend on each task. This will help you set limits and make sure that you’re not wasting too much time on activities that aren’t productive.

#2 Take Regular Breaks

Most people would never think of taking a break from work as a bad thing, but for some people it can be. If you’re the type of person who always feels like they need to be busy then taking breaks may not be for you. However, if you find yourself constantly daydreaming or checking Facebook when you’re supposed to be working, then it’s probably time for a break. Taking regular breaks is important because it gives your brain a chance to rest and recharge. When you come back to your work, you’ll be more focused and productive.

#3 Set Self-imposed Deadline

Setting deadlines for yourself is a great way to achieve your goals. It can be anything from a date you want to reach your goal by or a certain number of weeks or days that you want it done. People often set themselves up for disappointment when they don’t meet their goals, so having a self-imposed deadline will motivate you to get it done!

There are different ways to go about setting these deadlines and what works for one person may not work for another, but the bottom line is that you need to find what helps you achieve your goals and then use it! Here are some tips on how to set effective self-imposed deadlines:

  1. Make sure your deadline is realistic. If it’s too ambitious, you’re likely to set yourself up for failure.
  2. Break down your goal into smaller steps so that you can track your progress and stay on track.
  3. Share your deadline with someone who will hold you accountable.

#4 Just Say No To Meetings

Meetings are a necessary evil in most offices, but there is no need for them to be as long and drawn out as they often are. Just say no to meetings that drag on forever — you’ll be much more productive if you’re not stuck in a room with a bunch of people talking about nonsense. Stick to shorter, more focused meetings whenever possible, and you’ll get more done in less time.

#5 Quit Multitasking

There’s a reason why people say “focus on one thing at a time.” Not only is multitasking ineffective, but it can also be dangerous. When you try to do too many things at once, your brain can’t focus on any of them properly. As a result, you may make mistakes or not perform as well as you would if you focused on just one task. So next time you feel like you need to do five things at once, remember that it’s better to focus on one thing and get it done right than try to do everything halfway. You’ll be less stressed and more productive in the long run.

#6 Give Up On The Illusion Of Perfection

It’s easy to get caught up in the idea of perfection. We see it all around us- in magazines, on social media, and even in films and television. It can be tempting to try to replicate that perfect image or lifestyle, but strive for perfection is ultimately a fruitless pursuit. The reality is that perfection doesn’t exist. At best, you’ll create an illusion of perfection that is nothing more than a facade. So give up on the illusion of perfection and embrace your perfectly imperfect life.

#7 Be Proactive, Not Reactive

What do you do when something challenging comes up in your life? Do you take a step back and figure out how to best address the situation, or do you immediately start reacting to it? It’s natural to want to react in times of stress or chaos, but if you’re always reactionary, you’ll never get ahead. To be successful, you have to be proactive. Learn how to recognize when a challenging situation is about to arise, and take steps to head it off before it becomes a problem. Develop a plan and stick with it, no matter what life throws your way. When you’re proactive instead of reactive,you’ll be on the path to success.

#8 Turn Off Notifications

We’re all guilty of it. Checking our phone every five minutes to see if we’ve received a notification. Whether it’s work-related or just another meaningless update on someone’s day, notifications have become an addiction for many of us. And while they may seem harmless, they can actually be quite harmful. Here are four reasons why you should turn off notifications and start living your life uninterrupted.

  1. You’ll be less stressed out — According to a study by the University of Surrey, people who didn’t have their smartphones constantly buzzing and lighting up with notifications reported feeling less stressed out than those who did. .
  2. You’ll be more productive — Notification-free work periods led to students being 25% more productive according to a study by the University of California, Irvine. The students who didn’t have access to their phones were also less likely to procrastinate.
  3. You’ll have more time for leisure activities — According to the same study by the University of Surrey, people who didn’t have their phones buzzing and lighting up with notifications reported having more time for leisure activities .
  4. You’ll be less likely to suffer from “nomophobia” — Also known as cellphone addiction or phone anxiety, nomophobia is the fear of being without your phone. People who are addicted to their phones often feel anxious and stressed when they’re not able to use them.

#9 Give Yourself Something Nice To Look At

There are many ways to increase productivity at work, but one of the simplest is to give yourself something nice to look at. Whether it’s a picture of your family or a beautiful view out the window, simply having something pretty to focus on can help you stay focused and motivated throughout the day. So if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to boost your productivity, try adding some visual stimulation to your work environment. You may be surprised at how much of a difference it makes!

#10 Minimize Interruption

In any office environment, there will always be distractions. However, there are ways to minimize these interruptions and increase your productivity at work. Here are our top 10 tips:

  1. Minimize noise levels by using headphones or earplugs.
  2. Turn off notifications on your phone and computer.
  3. Avoid checking social media or emails constantly.
  4. Take breaks every hour or so to move around and stretch.
  5. Set aside specific times during the day for responding to emails and messages.
  6. Concentrate on one task at a time and don’t multitask.
  7. Close your door if you need privacy to focus on a project.

Conclusion

If you’re looking to increase your productivity and become more effective in the workplace, start by trying some of these tips. You may not be able to implement them all at once, but start with a couple and see how they work for you. And if you find that you need more help staying on task or want to take your productivity to the next level, don’t hesitate to reach out at SenseOrient for assistance. We can help you create an individualized plan that will have you crushing your goals in no time! What are you waiting for? Start increasing your productivity today!

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