Workplace Warrior: 5 Steps to Better Productivity
I’m always looking for ways to be productive and I’d like to think that most people are as well. No one wants to waste their energy. That’s why I was intrigued by this infographic from Lucidchart. They conducted a survey to determine the ways people are more productive.
While some of their findings we can’t change, like being the youngest makes you less productive. There were some common themes worth mentioning. Here were my five big takeaways:
- Stepping away from the computer. We regularly hear that finding time to disconnect from our technology is good for us. It doesn’t have to be for days or weeks. Simply setting clear boundaries can be just what we need to be more productive. For example, no devices during meals. Or no devices on date night.
- Curate your workspace. Personally, I love this one. I like being surrounded by fun things when I work. It makes me happy and I think my productivity is better. Even if you work in a traditional office environment, is there something you can do to your office space that will make you smile.
- Working from home. Not everyone has the ability to work from home, but if you can even have an occasional day away from the office…take it. I won’t lie; there’s something wonderful about working from home in your pajamas. Changing up your office environment can be a huge boost to productivity.
- Practice self-care. The infographic mentions diet and while I can see hunger being a distraction, I do believe in practicing good nutrition. I know I’m more productive when I eat right and exercise. I’m also more productive when I get a good night’s sleep.
- Breaks, lunches, and vacation! It may be tempting to postpone or not take time off because of the emails that will be waiting for you when you return. Resist this urge. We need our breaks, lunches, and time off. It allows us to turn off our work brains and return refreshed and perhaps even more prepared to tackle a big project.
Some of you might be saying, “This isn’t really a new list.” And that’s exactly the point. The things we can do to make us productive have been around for a while. Our challenge is often sticking to them. When we get busy or a big deadline is approaching, we might start to abandon these steps. Which impacts our productivity. Ultimately, it ends up being a self-fulfilling prophecy. So, consider today’s post a reminder. Take care of yourself and your productivity will take care of you.
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