A lot of us spend the majority of our adult lives in an office, if not an office, then another place of work. After you’ve really settled into your job, it can be very easy to let your attention drift, which can be a dangerous thing if you want to keep the job you’ve got.
So, whether you run an office and you’re looking for better results, or you’re an office worker, and you can feel your days drifting aimlessly, this essential guide is here to help.
1. Creating a Routine
One of the best ways to be productive is to create a scheduled routine. This could involve setting specific times for checking emails, taking breaks, or even working certain days of the week.
If you’re struggling to stay on task, try setting a timer for 25 minutes and work until the timer goes off. This will help you to stay focused and avoid distractions. Once the timer goes off, take a five-minute break to walk around, stretch, and get a drink of water. Repeat this process until you’ve completed your task.
By creating a routine, you can help to structure your day and make sure that you’re making the most of your time.
2. Using Paper
Most office work has transitioned online and onto our screens over the last decade, but you should never underestimate the simple power of a printer. Having the option to move your work onto a physical piece of paper can help to improve focus and avoid blurry screen eyes.
A good all-in-one printer is a perfect solution. One of these machines will allow you to use the power of paper to your advantage.
By changing your working style from time to time, you’ll find yourself becoming more attentive, noticing more errors, and overall becoming the productive employee you want to be.
3. Get Active
Most unproductive days can be attributed to tiredness. Tiredness is often brought on in the office by the lack of movement. Sitting and staring at a screen all day can have a serious impact on your health and happiness, so get moving a couple of times a day, and you’ll thank yourself!
Try a daily yoga app for a customizable daily routine and take short breaks out of your day to commit to moving your body. This will dramatically enhance your energy levels, as well as be a great stress buster. A little really does go a long way, and if you can, try to get outside for a walk during your lunch break.
4. Creating a Focused Workspace
A cluttered desk is a perfect environment for distractions. If you want to be productive, it’s important to have a designated workspace that’s just for work. This could be a separate room in your house or even a specific corner of your living area.
If you’re working from home, make sure to set boundaries. Let your family and friends know that when you’re working, you’re not to be disturbed. Putting on headphones can also be a great way to signal to others that you’re busy and shouldn’t be disturbed.
If you’re struggling to focus in a busy office, try using noise-canceling headphones to create a more personal and focused space. This will allow you to drown out the sounds of your colleagues and focus on the task at hand.
5. Background Noise
Many people find background noise very beneficial to their productivity. Particularly instrumental music, without lyrics, can allow you to find your inner focus. If you spend a day listening to some classical music, hip-hop instrumentals, or a working playlist mix, you may find the day flies by, and the work is done before you know it.
You can consider a speaker system for your office. It’s worth asking around and making sure everybody is happy with music being played all day. Of course, there are always compromises; maybe you could play music in the mornings and not the afternoons or divide your days by genre. As long as you’re being inclusive to all, background music can be a huge productivity aid!
6. Technology
We rely on technology so much in the office, but sometimes it can be our downfall. The temptation to check social media, answer a phone call or browse the internet can be too strong for some people. If you find yourself getting distracted by technology, there are a few things you can do.
Try installing an app blocker on your computer or phone. This will stop you from being able to access certain websites or apps for a designated amount of time. You can also try turning off notifications for certain apps or even your phone altogether. This will help you to stay in the moment and avoid any distractions.
7. Shifting Focus
It’s easy to get bogged down in a project, and after a few hours, you’ll find you’ve accidentally gone blind to the intricacies of the task at hand. Spending all day on one job to get it done can seem like a good idea, but you are often substituting quality for speed.
Take regular short breaks and divide your day by tasks. Try not to spend longer than an hour on one task without at least a quick break, or ideally by changing focus entirely afterward. If you change focus throughout your day, you’ll feel more energized and active, and you’re likely to feel far happier with your work by the end of the day.
To Sum Up
Productivity can be a challenge for many office workers. Many companies work hard to encourage a productive workforce, but there’s only so much they can do. Individual workers should try to ensure they focus on their work and do the best they can.
By following these simple tips, you can start to see a change in the way you work. Creating a routine, using paper, getting active, and focusing on a designated workspace are all great ways to start seeing an increase in productivity.
And, who knows, maybe by following these tips you’ll be able to take your career to the next level.
