How To Be More Productive
James Caan CBE
Recruitment Entrepreneur Chairman | Serial Entrepreneur | Investor on BBC's Dragons’ Den (2007-2010)
In my view, one of the biggest mistakes we make as a nation is assuming that productivity is a high-level economic issue that we can't do anything about, when, in fact, it's something that impacts our daily lives and we should all be considering how we can improve our own productivity.
Working smarter not harder is a line I often hear being used around the office, but what does this really mean? How does anyone actually work smarter and how does this lead to them being more productive?
Here are some of my top tips on how to effectively improve your productivity at work:
What does a good week look like?
Every member of my team sends me a weekly report which outlines what actions they’ve been involved with that week and how it relates back to their yearly/monthly objectives. I even do one myself which I go through each Friday with my executive assistant! Reporting on what you achieve every day/ week or month sounds arduous, but I promise you over time you really get a great sense of what ‘good’ looks like. This isn’t just about checking in on what your employees are doing, it’s about ensuring they empower themselves by knowing how much of their time is spent on certain tasks over others.
Set self-imposed deadlines and the 2 minute rule
There are two types of stress. Good stress and bad stress. While we usually think of stress as a bad thing, a manageable level of self-imposed stress can actually be helpful in terms of keeping us motivated and helping us stay focused to meet objectives. If you have two weeks to do something, you’ll take that amount of time to finish it. But what if you gave yourself two/three days instead? Could you do it in that timeframe too? Sometimes these types of challenges push you to work harder and be more productive because you don’t have the time for your mind to wander off task. This works really well if you’ve gotten all your quick tasks out of the way already. If you see a task or action that you know can be done in two minutes or less, do it immediately.
Stand or say goodbye to unnecessary meetings
I don’t know anyone who has never complained about a meeting being a waste of time. So next time, actually ask yourself whether you can accomplish the same goals or tasks via email, phone, or Web-based meeting which can sometimes be more productive. If you absolutely do need to host a meeting, another tip is to do so standing up. Research has found that meetings where participants stand can lead to increased group performance.
The multitasking illusion
Multitasking often masks unorganisation because taking on several tasks all at once can result in lost time and productivity. Tackling one single task at a time means you can move onto your next project with confidence the previous one is completed. You must also resists the allure of emails and whatsapp messages too! During work hours, turn off your notifications, and instead build in time to check email and messages. This is about being productive with your day and not just reactive!
Take regular breaks or consider the 90 minute rule
It sounds counterintuitive, but taking scheduled breaks can actually help improve concentration and this is especially true when you need a creative boost. Working without any breaks can lead to an overall decline in performance. I read something interesting recently which suggested that elite performers such as athletes who work in intervals of no more than 90 minutes are more productive than those who work 90 minutes-plus. So make best use of your 90 minutes and then take a well-deserved short break before jumping onto the next task.
The best way to gain a promotion or provide evidence for a pay rise is to demonstrate how productive you are and how much value you add. Once you know what good looks like you can demonstrate how you can go above and beyond to get projects completed again and again. Being productive at work isn’t just about putting in long hours and booking in more meetings, it’s about working smarter and understanding yourself and how you work and produce your best work.
Have a plan of attack at the start of each day, and then do your best to stick to it. For more top tips on how to be more productive at work register now for Recruitment Guide, my upcoming recruitment training hub which will include management tips and tricks for ultimate productivity in the workplace.
Faculty, Consultant, Professor
8 年Great write up. Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort.
chicken whisperer?voice-in-the-wilderness?the thinking man's circular knitting machine mechanic
8 年I work in a factory, a very easy going factory. Many have been therefor up to 35 years. People love nothing better than walking up to someone who is working and finding out what they can. I think I used to be rather friendly, but when I went on "fixing" it started to be a problem. I would no sooner stick my head down and start reneedling a machine (sometimes more than 1000 needles) when someone would walk up and start talking to me. This would happen a few times an hour. Anyway, I quit talking to people when I am in the middle of my own work, so many quit talking to me. That is fine. I like my machines and they like me back.
Mark Dziuban is a Retired VP of Sales
8 年Saying goodbye to unnecessary meetings is such an important skill to learn. There are only so many hours in a day and spending them on distracting tasks can be a huge waste of time and energy. I try and focus on creating and holding meetings that value everybody's time. Keep to the point. Let everyone speak. Cultivate an atmosphere where people feel comfortable taking risks.
Experienced Clinical Research & Trial Associate | 10+ Years Industry Expertise
8 年Self imposed deadlines are great! They definitely work for me. I read another article that says that you are more productive while working standing up. Here it is also recommended for more productive meetings
Mobility Sales at At&t
8 年Great info