It is natural to feel distracted or demotivated at some point during work. But with the workload piling up, there is often no choice left but to be proactive. If you want your weekends and evenings to be relaxed, it is advisable to be productive during working hours, so that you can complete all your tasks on time.
So, how can you boost your performance and manage your time effectively? This is a million-dollar question that can easily be answered by incorporating a few changes in your daily routine.
Here are the 9 tips that can help you stay productive and focused at work ensuring your optimal performance!
Raising Productivity at Work
1- A healthy breakfast
Begin your day with a healthy and nutritious breakfast. Breakfast is usually the most overlooked meal of the day, but according to a research, people who have a healthy breakfast are more likely to perform better throughout the day. Choose from low GI breakfast options like overnight oats, whole-wheat toast, eggs, porridge, Greek yogurt and fruit. These foods release energy slowly throughout the day, so you are more likely to feel fuller till lunchtime.
Don't ever skip breakfast as that will only make you feel more distracted and tired. Also, try to minimize your caffeine intake. It may be tempting to sip some coffee while working, but keep in mind that too much caffeine intake can lead to insomnia and dizziness, hence, making it even more difficult for you to be productive.
Try replacing coffee with water or a healthy warm beverage like chamomile tea. According to a research by University of Nottingham Medical School, consumption of chamomile contributes in significantly relaxed blood vessels and also smoothens out the muscle fibers. So, if you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed, brew some chamomile tea for yourself as it can do wonders for your nervous system.
You can even take some natural and healthy supplements which can act as a brain booster and increase your productivity at work.
2- A good night's sleep
Sleep is body's natural mechanism to restore the lost energy and prepare it for the next day. Lack of sleep can cause serious health problems like obesity, heart diseases and memory loss. This is why you should aim to get at least 7 to 8 hours of restful sleep each night. You will automatically feel rested and rejuvenated the next day, and it will also make it easier for you to handle all your tasks efficiently during work hours.
3- Exercise daily
Exercising daily has countless benefits; not only does it help your body but also works wonders for your mental health. According to different research, people who exercised regularly showed reduced levels of anxiety and led longer lives. This is why you should make it a point to incorporate at least 30 minutes of easy exercises in your daily routine. A healthy body will lead to a healthy brain, making it easier for you to focus at work.
4- Stay away from social media
After working on a difficult task, it is tempting to check your social media accounts and take a small break. But don't let yourself be fooled. Visiting social media websites regularly drains a lot of energy from your brain, as there is a lot of information that needs to be processed in a small amount of time. According to a research by Technori, mindless browsing on social media can cost you up to $1000 per hour!
Try to break free from social media addiction and use it as a reward to motivate yourself to work harder. Allow yourself to use Facebook for 10 minutes after you complete a task or work continuously for 90 minutes.
If you are having trouble in self constraint, add all the social media websites to a list of blocked websites. Resist the temptation, and watch your productivity levels soar!
5- Avoid multitasking
Multitasking may seem to be really productive, but it actually slows you down. Therefore, try to concentrate on one task a time. This way, you will focus better and complete that task in a shorter span of time.
If you try to write emails, update Facebook and complete an excel sheet all at the same time, you will either make a lot of mistakes or waste a lot of precious time. This is why, it is recommended to focus at one task at a time, and move on to the next one only when the previous task is completed.
6- Cancel out the noise
It is very important to set the right work environment to help you increase your productivity at work. If you work from home, or in a noisy office, try a pair of noise cancelling headphones to get those creative juices flowing. Similarly, if you like to listen to music while working, make sure that the tunes are light hearted and easy to listen to. Heavy or distracting music can make it difficult for you to concentrate.
7- Tidy your desk
A tidy desk can be a very welcoming sight when you start your day at work. So, make it a habit to clean and de-clutter your desk when you leave your work station. Starting a new day with a clean slate will help you perform better. You can also invest in some office storage items like magazine files and drawers that will keep all your things organized.
8- Step out
When you start to feel tired, step out in the sunlight and breathe in the fresh air. The stuffy and unnatural environment of the office can be overwhelming. Experts suggest that going outdoors is an instant stress buster and can help relax those tired brain muscles. Returning to your desk with a fresh mind will certainly restore your productivity levels.
9- Set a to-do list for the next day
It is important to set a to-do list for the next day before you leave work. This way you will be well prepared when you arrive the next day, and can dive straight into the outlined tasks. This will create a sense of purpose and drive, enabling you to perform better throughout the day. Checking off tasks from your checklist will make you feel in control and help you stay focused and on track.
If you are constantly feeling unproductive at work, try to keep a notebook handy and note down all the factors that are causing a distraction or interruption in your work flow. Hopefully, you will come across a pattern in a few days. This will make it easier for you to point out the areas where you need to make some positive changes so you can spend a quality day at work.
These were some of our top tips on how to stay productive at the workplace. If you have any other tips that you would like to share with us, please leave them in the comments below.
This guest post was authored by Alma Causey
Ms. Career Girl was started in 2008 to help ambitious young professional women figure out who they are, what they want and how to get it.
