By Kevin Dennis, WeddingIQ
When it comes to the office environment, productivity is perhaps one of the most coveted qualities of today’s business professionals. In fact, there are so many hacks and products out there that ‘guarantee’ increased productivity, that it’s become somewhat of a buzzword. With everyone looking for ways make the most of their time, here are some of my favorite ways to boost your productivity levels without giving into the hype.
Start with commitment
Regardless of how many programs, tools or resources you have in place, your productivity won’t increase until you commit to it. Rather than jump headfirst into productivity hacks that will eventually be left by the wayside, first take some time to ask yourself why this lifestyle change is so important and what you hope to gain from it. By setting goals, you’ll be ensuring the long-term success of your productivity efforts.
Create a to-do list
I could speak for hours on how beneficial to-do lists are, so if you don’t have the to-do habit already, it’s time to reconsider the way you work. Despite our belief that we are habitual multitaskers, our brains can really only focus on one thing at a time. When we have a lot of things on our mind, it can lead to overwhelm and burnout. To combat this, to-do lists are an easy (and free!) way to keep all of your thoughts in one place so you can put your mental energy to work for one task at a time. Whether you choose to keep your to-do list on your phone or jot it on a piece of paper, you’ll start to get a better idea of what needs to be done once you have it all out in front of you. Plus, there is no better feeling than crossing off a to-do!
Incorporate technology
These days, it seems as if there’s a technological fix for everything. Between apps and online programs, you can find a solution to help anything from organizing your inbox to tracking your travel expenses. With that said, keep in mind that every app offers different things to a person – while your coworker may love their to-do list app, you may be looking for other features or a different type of interface. For that reason, it’s important to experiment with all types of programs until you find one that best suits your needs.
Take a break
While this may seem counterintuitive, I’m sure most can relate with the feeling of being confined to your office with nothing to look at but your computer screen. While slogging through your work may seem like the only way it will get done, rest assured that you can afford a five- to ten-minute break. Take a step outside and go for a walk around the block or try out the new coffee shop down the street. If you can spare the time, squeeze in a workout or yoga session during lunch. A simple change of scenery can make all the difference when you’re starting to feel burnt out and you’ll be surprised how productive you are upon your return to your desk.
Even the best of us face challenges with productivity and we’ve all experienced ‘a case of the Mondays,’ but that doesn’t mean that you have to give into it. By incorporating these strategies into your day-to-day workflow, you’ll soon find that your time is better spent and your overall work is much more efficient.
Kevin Dennis is the editor of WeddingIQ and owner of Fantasy Sound Event Services, a full-service event company based in Livermore, California. Dennis is the current chapter president for Silicon Valley NACE, and the immediate past national president for WIPA.
