Everyone wants to boost productivity. Whether it’s a business or an employee, working productively brings more revenues and personal satisfaction.
However, not all of us are able to stay engaged and productive. This is in spite of using technologies and automation to reduce manual labor.
Therefore, you need a few productivity hacks to improve your output. We have rounded up the most effective ones based on modern working trends worldwide.
1. Learn to Manage Your Time
Working long hours doesn’t mean you are productive. The least productive country, Mexico, has the longest average working week of 41.2 hours.
Therefore, success lies in managing your time efficiently and meeting deadlines. You can sort your work in short sprints like agile software development teams do. Digital front office transformation for financial institutions can help, too. Break down your goals and focus on a few at the moment.
2. Learn to Rest
Research has proven humans need adequate rest to work productively. However, our brains keep on working similarly to your phone running background processes.
As a result, the secret to excelling at your work is to learn to rest, as per Greater Good Magazine from the University of California.
How can you ensure you are resting well?
- Follow a morning routine to take advantage of your peak energy levels
- Take a walk to beat the stress and think creatively
- Nap when you need to recharge your energy levels
- Don’t work after your assigned hours
3. Cut Out Distractions
Distractions can hamper your attention and take a toll on your productivity. We all know how a loud colleague makes you feel and disrupts your work.
However, distractions are not just limited to the office. 10% of remote workers cannot focus on their work due to distractions at home.
Therefore, create a dedicated workspace to eliminate distractions. You can use a room in your home to work in isolation.
Additionally, you can also go for a shared workspace if you feel lonely at home.
4. Choose the Right Tools
We have software for almost every business process. However, just using a digital solution will not improve productivity automatically.
For that, you need to determine your needs and select technologies accordingly. For example, a small business with limited operations may not need full-scale accounting software.
Instead, the company can track businesses expenses using a spend management tool. Therefore, use a tool only when you can create value and generate enough returns from your investment.
5. Collaborate Only When Necessary
Collaboration seems to be the buzzword in the industry. From app development to web design, teams are collaborating more for improved outcomes.
However, research shows co-working is not always the way to boost productivity. Rather, it can become an obstacle to discharge your responsibilities efficiently.
Therefore, collaborate only when necessary. You may be able to complete some tasks more productively by working alone.
Else, create a blended approach and dedicate a specific time to work together. You can work at home or in your room for the rest of the time.
6. Keep Meetings Short
65% of managers feel meetings restrict them from completing their tasks on time. Additionally, unproductive meetings can also make people unhappy and affect team performance.
Therefore, keep meetings short and discuss only what’s necessary. Don’t digress from the agenda or criticize the performance of others.
Moreover, create the topics to be covered in the meeting to stay on track.
7. Create a To-Do List
The best way to stay on track is to note down your tasks. You can use a simple sticky note to stay on top of your day-to-day responsibilities. There are also mobile apps that let you create your list and even set alarms to meet deadlines.
Teams can use a project management solution to track progress. A basic Kanban board is also a good way to harness productivity and know where you stand.
Final Thoughts
Boosting productivity is not possible by adopting technology without consideration. You need to manage your time and focus on one task at a moment. Additionally, note down your goals and use a to-do list or mobile app to track your progress. Moreover, get adequate rest and learn to stop working at the right time. You should also take enough breaks and get enough sleep to maintain your energy levels.
Last Updated on by Sathi