In General Discussions
Everyone has those days in a month when a lot of work gets done, but the feeling of productiveness just isn’t there. It might be that you finish a lot of small tasks, but the large, important ones stay untouched, and that makes you dissatisfied. Your focus may not be aimed at your work, and you lose a sense of what you’ve accomplished so far, or what you’re trying to accomplish. That’s why you may feel disoriented, and lose track of your tasks. There are a few things that can help you stay focused, motivated, and productive in your workspace. Keep reading if you want to learn how to do more things in a day and be satisfied with that. Sort things out in your head It’s difficult to start working on something if you have a bunch of things wreaking chaos in your head. You can’t decide where to start, and it takes a lot of time to organize all of your thoughts with all the new ones adding up to the list. The traditional approach is the best one for this problem; write things down. Make a to-do list in your notebook, or use post-it notes. You can also write everything down on a whiteboard, and start from the most important and urgent tasks. Plan your whole day, add new tasks when you get them, tick them off when you complete them, and see for yourself how productive you’re being that day. Organize your space If the desk you’re working at is unorganized and messy, you probably won’t get much work done. It’s difficult to navigate through a mountain of papers and documents, and it takes a lot of time to find the things you need. Get rid of all of the unnecessary files that just take the space you need to do your work, and organize the rest by their importance. Use storage boxes or containers, as they will help you group your office items. When you get done with a document, immediately put it away into its designated place to keep the place clean and organized. Don’t forget to clean everything up before going home, as you don’t want to start your next day buried in papers. Make yourself comfortable You have to make sure that your workspace suits your body and personality. Adjust the computer screen to avoid any pain in your neck, back or potential headaches. Lighting also plays a big role in how productive you’ll be. Your office has to be well-lit, with as much natural light as possible. Try changing your ordinary lightbulbs for LED bulbs, which can set a better atmosphere, and help protect your eyes. If you need more light than your office allows for, then you can get a desk lamp and secure yourself as much light as needed. Also, pay attention to the room temperature, as that might impact your mood and productivity. Take frequent breaks Constant sitting at the desk for a long period of time might not be as productive as you think. You have to make a lot of decisions during your day, and that certainly wears you down. That’s why taking a five-minute break every hour will replenish your energy and reduce the negative effects of the constant sitting. Shorter, but more often, breaks refresh your mind, boost your productivity and creativity, and help you stay focused on the task when you get back to your seat. The important thing you have to note down is that you have to eliminate all distractions when taking a break, so you could allow your brain to really get some rest. Set a time limit It’s much easier to complete a task when you have a time limit. If you set the maximum time you want to spend on a certain task, you’ll get it done faster than usual, and you’ll have more time for something else. Consider the importance and difficulty of the task when setting the time limit, as some tasks need more of your attention than others. If it takes more than an hour, then split it into two parts, as you need your five-minute break to get refreshed. Everyone has their own modus operandi, their own personalities, and there isn’t a universal formula for a productive workspace. However, these tips will surely motivate you to think about what changes you can implement in your daily work habits that will help you be more productive.