Do you want to be successful and move your career forward? Of course, you do! If you answered “No,” then you should stop reading. But seriously, some of the factors that determine how smooth or bumpy your career path gets are out of your control. Fortunately, most are not.
One trait that will take away many of those career-path bumps is being a productive employee. There isn’t a boss on the planet who doesn’t love a worker that gets things done efficiently and effectively. And the good news is, even if you aren’t highly productive today, it doesn’t mean you can’t change that starting right now.
Productivity is essential to your success at work. Here are some tips for improving yours:
A productive day begins the night before you leave work
At the end of your workday, set priorities for tomorrow. With that list on your desk or workbench, you’ll know what has to be done when you arrive in the morning. Even if you get another assignment, you’ll still have your checked-off to-do list to refer to when you return.
Take a short break whenever you feel mentally exhausted
You’ll be more productive if you feel refreshed, so don’t make the mistake of working when you are mentally fatigued. Take a short walk to the water cooler or get a cup of coffee. Those breaks, no matter how brief, will increase your productivity by increasing your blood flow and allowing you to return to work with a fresh outlook.
Forget about multitasking
While it might be fashionable to multitask, it’s overrated. Doing more than one thing at a time is more harmful than helpful. Multitaskers end up becoming distracted, which makes them less productive. Taking one task at a time and completing it correctly allows you to move on to your next job quickly and without any do-overs.
Minimize distractions
You can’t prevent all interruptions during the workday. However, you can make it clear to any chatty co-workers you have a deadline to meet, so the small talk will have to wait until later. A closed office door can also prevent unnecessary intrusions and distractions.
Give yourself deadlines, and abide by them
Budget your time the way you budget your money, and you’ll meet your deadlines ahead of time. You might find deadlines to be stressful at first, but most people who follow them begin to thrive under them and notice a remarkable increase in their efficiency.
Keep your work area clean and clutter-free
Keeping an orderly work area will help your productivity since you won’t be spending nearly as much time looking for tools or misplaced papers. There is also a psychological benefit to keeping a neat work area or desk: Mess causes stress, and it’s undeniable that stress hurts productivity. So straighten up and get more done!
Do you need the help of a professional recruiting agency?
Contact Pro Talent Group, one of Indiana’s fastest-growing minority- and woman-owned businesses. We have provided opportunities for contingent employees through our offices in Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky. And we can make direct hire placements in engineering, manufacturing and administrative positions nationwide.
