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10 OFFICE PRODUCTIVITY TIPS - 23 June 2015
Many people struggle with staying productive in the office. Staying focused on tasks and working efficiently is something that more and more people contest with while doing work everyday. This can be easily seen by just looking at the thousands of productivity apps available to people on the market. However, there are simple things that can be done to fight back against that procrastinating feeling, and help get your productivity back on track. These are ten simple tips which may help you do just that.
Keeping your workspace neat and tidy. By keeping your desk clean you're minimalizing the chance of being distracted. Keeping the desk simple will help keep your mind on track of the task in hand and will help you think more clearly. Not to mention the time you'll save by not having to search as much for items.
Add a visual stimulant. Having a more colourful surrounding can have a major effect on your mood and in turn your work output. A certain colour pallet may be needed to achieve the target you want with blues being associated with calming and coolness, and reds sharpening accuracy and adding drive to a person.
Decorate your workplace. Having colour around you is just one technique but pimping out your desk may help even more. Whether it be bringing in little odds and trinkets to feel more homely or adding a picture as something to work for. Plants can be another great addition with a recent study from the Texas A&M University saying they can improve productivity and creativeness by 30%.
Start with the hardest. It may sound like the most difficult but by getting the hardest task out of the way first the rest on the list will feel like a breeze maybe even enjoyable. So stop pushing back that one task and get it over and done with, it will bring down stress levels and help with your productivity throughout the rest of the day.
Ignore notifications. Whether it is texts on your phone, e-mails on your computer, or even those pesky updates. Just forget about them all, turning off your notifications will help majorly. With no little side-track interruptions you'll be able to stay focused and work more efficiently throughout the working day.
Stay mobile. Sitting or staying in one position for too long may make you feel sleepy or lethargic, getting less and less work done. By walking around and even working standing up you should keep your body and mind active and so keep you concentrating.
Prioritize the menial tasks. May sound contradicting but sometimes working through the smaller tasks can help keep you motivated when you get to the bigger ones. Another reason for doing this can be procrastination, if you keep putting off a bigger task when you eventually complete it there may not be enough time left for the smaller tasks. So starting with smaller tasks may help prevent procrastination.
Take short breaks. About 10 or 15 minutes every 2 hours will help with circulation, reducing eyestrain, and reducing muscle tension. A nice walk helps keep the mind clear, and may provide a fresh prospective when returning to the task at hand.
Turn up the music. Not too loud of course, but having a quiet level of music playing in the background can majorly increase productivity output. If you listen to music through headphones you can listen to your own personal style of music which will help get you into the zone. While listening to hard rock may not be the best idea, having soft, easy listening material playing could drive you straight through the workload. A bonus of listening through headphones will signal your co-workers that you don't want to be disturbed.
Change locations. By having a change of environment and scenery, it could increase your motivation and invigorate you. Staring at the same wall for five days a week can damage creative instincts and demoralise until it affects your work. While some may choose to work from home or a coffee shop, just changing to a window or even a different desk may help with productivity and get you focused again.