Key drivers that affect workplace productivity include building leadership and management capabilities, creating a culture that encourages productivity and increased use of technology to support it. To translate these benefits into better business productivity, follow these simple strategies mindfully until they become second nature to you.
- Prioritise
Create a to-do list and prioritise tasks on that list. This works well if you use the night before to go through the tasks to be completed the next day – approach your to-do list proactively rather than reactively. Even answering emails should amount to a specific task on your list rather than something you do several times a day, disrupting your concentration.
- Set limits
Set time limits for specific tasks; this encourages you to focus better on the job at hand. Since different tasks require different amounts of time, with practice you will get a good idea of the number of items you can realistically target to finish within a particular day.
- Don’t ignore small tasks
Don’t let the small, mundane duties pile up; tackle them regularly. This simple strategy can save you from spending an entire day sorting them all out at once and wasting precious time. However, learn to distinguish between chores and avoid the trap of the ‘seemingly’ short ones that you end up spending hours over – those are best tackled according to set schedules.
- Take breaks
Regular breaks help you concentrate better and can make you more productive. A short walk outside the office, a few deep breathing exercises, a stroll to the vending machine for a drink – all of these can clear your mind and help you work with renewed vigour.
- Harness the power of technology
In today’s technologically driven world, apps are extremely helpful for improving productivity. For instance, Google Docs will facilitate collaboration with several people remotely and quickly, while Skype makes it possible to place calls without spending a fortune. A tool such as Sansan can provide a contact management solution that simplifies the process of reaching out to existing and potential clients, while QuickBooks Online allows you to perform accounting duties anywhere, anytime.
Exploring new ideas, practices and technologies to increase workplace productivity can be crucial to success. Adopting them will also be invaluable in the long run.
