“Exertion or effort directed to produce or accomplish something; labor; toil.”
The above is the dictionary definition of “work”, which also can mean being productive. Every workplace relies on their employees to be efficient, hardworking and productive to get the job done. But as with most things, motivation tends to fade away (especially if you feel your work can be monotonous)! So what can you do to have a productive day when you’re feeling burnt out? What tips for productivity can help you to have the energy and stamina needed to not just get through the day, but thrive?
Since I, too, fall victim to not always waking up in a 100% productive mood, I thought I’d share some of my strategies for productivity with you. And maybe you’ll learn how to experience your most productive day yet ;-).
So, without further ado, here are my 7 Strategies to Master Productivity in the Workplace:
1) Have a healthy breakfast and enjoy balanced snacks throughout the day
Have you ever gone to lunch with your coworkers, stuffed your face with a burger and fries, and returned to work feeling lethargic and drained of motivation? Or, have you ever skipped a meal at work and felt overly moody, agitated, and tense? Well, it may seem obvious, but what we eat has a huge impact on how we perform and how productive we are. I always make an effort to start my day with a healthy breakfast that includes protein and berries, additionally, I keep protein bars or other healthy snacks around the office. Also, drink a lot of water. Staying hydrated keeps the energy levels high and your moods at bay.
2) Take advantage of tech tools
There are all sorts of tools available to make your life easier, to use your time in a more efficient way, and to make your workload seem more manageable. Boomerang is a great app for scheduling emails so you don’t get bogged down. Evernote is another great organizing and time-saving tool. It helps to declutter, make and share notes and lists, and keep them all in one place. I also like Todoist which is another great organizing app. There are plenty more out there, so find ones that suit your situation.
3) Move your body
Hopefully, you have time for an exercise routine in the morning or evening, but if you find yourself lagging during the day - start moving. Take a walk outside, or even around the office. Stand up at your desk and run in place, stretch, jumping jacks - anything to get the blood flowing. We just got the team a standup desk - this is great for posture and to get your blood flowing!
4) Prioritize your tasks
This is very helpful for staying focused and productive. Sometimes, every task seems as important as the next one - but find a way to figure out which needs to be done right away and which can be pushed down the to-do list a bit. I’m not talking about procrastination, rather figuring out which is a higher priority.
5) Silence your phone
Of course, if you need your phone for work purposes, this may not be possible. But if you’re working in an office and you don’t need your phone, silencing it can stop the temptation from responding to texts or social media alerts that are not relevant to your workday.
6) Get out of the office
Sometimes all you need is a shot of fresh air, so if it’s available to you - get outside and take a walk around the block, sit on a park bench, or find a grassy patch and have your lunch in the sun. It will do wonders for your mood and your productivity.
7) Learn to say no
It’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to take everything on and be that person who can be counted on to get the job done. But it’s not always the best use of your time and it’s a habit you want to think about breaking. Only take on those projects that are absolutely necessary or that you feel won’t take away from your priorities.
You’ll be more efficient and happier in the long run ;-)
Do you have some tips or tricks for more productivity at work? Any apps that you use? Share in the comments, I’d love to know. I’m always looking for more ways to enhance my workday!
And before you go, if you feel like you have done everything to become more motivated, energized, and productive, there may be something sneaky standing in your way of success.
If you want to find out what that is, I highly recommend you take my short quiz here and discover what’s blocking you from achieving your goals.