Get a head start on your work day
Roll up
your sleeves and follow these hacks to improve your productivity
With our corporate schedules comes a daily routine. You wake up
at the same time every day, follow your morning routine, go to work, wrap up
meetings, complete important tasks, run errands and hit the bed. A pattern
seeps in naturally. But every single day when work ends, there are chances that
you may not be satisfied with what you have accomplished. Here's how
intelligent planning and focussed efforts can help you increase your
productivity:
Track
your time
It is always advisable to make the most of the time you have at
hand. You may be allotting extra time to tasks that could be accomplished in a
shorter span. Research suggests that only 17 per cent people are accurately
able to estimate the passage of time. It's easy to waste time shuffling through
dozens of emails or over the phone. Giving yourself a deadline and adhere to
it. This will help you utilise your time better.
Learn
to say no
For some people saying no is hard, but if you really want to
elevate your productivity levels, then you must learn how to refuse to do
things that may eat into your valuable time. Don't do things just to please
others. When you take on too much, all your work suffers. You may end up
missing deadlines you've set for yourself. Sometimes you just have to say no,
and understand that there's nothing wrong with that.
Make
the most of your commute
Depending on your mode of commute, you can utilise a lot of time
while travelling to and fro from work. You can schedule calls, answer emails or
catch up on news. You can also plan your day ahead while you are stuck in
traffic or make a to-do list. You can also spend some leisure time and read a
book or watch a movie you have been longing to.
Follow
the twominute rule
If you have a task or an action that can be completed in two
minutes or less, it is advisable to do it immediately. Whether that means
responding to an email or confirming a doctor's appointment, get those small
tasks done with, rather than let them collect and snowball into too many tasks.
Avoid
multi-tasking
Psychologists have found attempting to do several tasks at once
can result in lost time and productivity. Instead, make a habit of committing
to a single task before moving on to your next project.
Take
intermittent breaks
Taking scheduled breaks can actually help improve concentration.
A small walk in the park, a cup of tea or a quick chat over the phone can help
you relax. Research shows that taking short breaks during long tasks can help
you maintain a constant level of performance, while working at a task without
breaks leads to a steady decline in performance. So, take some time off
Agencies Oct 06 2017 : The Economic Times (Mumbai)
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