Struggling to get back on track after the festive period? January can always feel like a bit of a drag, but don’t fret, we can help you to become much more productive in the office this year…
- Track time spent on tasks
One of the difficult things that people find is not having enough time in the day to get everything they need to done. However, if you track the time it takes you to complete different tasks, you will see areas where you can cut down. For example you never want to spend more than 30 minutes going through your emails during the day, because it gets in the way of everything else.
Take regular breaks
It might sound like the opposite of what you need, but actually taking a break now and again will allow your mind to reset and focus on the task ahead. Spending hours and hours at your computer doing the same thing can make your brain tired and this is what causes you to daydream and drift off.
Set deadlines
Take a look at everything you need to achieve in the working week. Now list it all, and set a priority for each task. Always make sure to complete the highest priority tasks first, and by setting yourself a deadline it will feel as if you NEED to get the work done urgently, therefore you will work more effectively.
Follow the “two-minute rule.”
The two minute rule states that if there are any tasks which can be completed in less than two minutes, just get them done immediately. The reason for this is that you will get rid of a task and have less on your to do list, and it frees up your time for concentrating on the important tasks which need completing instead.
Just say no to meetings
Meetings can either be the best hour of your week, or a total waste of time, and unfortunately they are usually the latter. If a colleague asks you to be part of a meeting, you can tell them that you are too busy. By doing this you will have the office to yourself for a while and be much more likely to get what you need done.
Hold standing meetings
If you need to have a meeting, don’t provide chairs. The reason for this is that everyone will talk more quickly and get to the point so that they can get back to their desk and sit down again. By making people uncomfortable in their heels for 10 minutes, you save a huge chunk of time.
Quit multitasking
There are certain times in life when multitasking is the best option: like cooking. But when it comes to your work, it actually makes more sense to stick to one job at a time because you are able to focus and complete the work with a much better quality. And never get up and start cleaning during the day, you are procrastinating from your work and wasting valuable time. Instead, hire a Contract Office Cleaning Service
to do it for you.
- Use your commute
Not if you are driving, obviously. But if you take the bus or train to work, take this time to start making a to do list for the day or looking through emails. Get ahead and by the time you reach the office you are ready to get going on your tasks.