This post is written by our regular contributor, Mike.
Being more productive at work is a great goal to aim for but it isn’t always as simple as avoiding the break room or logging out of Facebook.
Knuckling down and focusing harder could work for a while, but then at some point even hard work reaches a plateau.
To continue growing more productive we need to examine all the things that affect our work because even small changes can affect our output in big ways.
This post builds on our post 10 Ways to Stay Busy When You’re Bored at Work. For some, it’s not so much about boredom as it is about a lack of productivity.
Today I’ll share some tips that will keep you engaged and focused while you are at work. We’ll touch on health-related topics as well as attitude-related tips. Ultimately there is a lot of different things that drive someone to be more productive, so find out which of these apply to your situation and give them a try.
1) Get Quality Sleep
As young professionals there is often pressure to burn the candle at both ends, and while this might work for a while, ultimately there is no substitute for simply getting proper rest. How much sleep you need varies from person to person, but getting that balance right is important to increasing your productivity at work.
If you have trouble falling asleep then try establishing a routine. Having a regular bed time as well as a regular time you wake up will help you get quality sleep. Other tricks, such as cutting your caffeine after lunch, switching off electronics at least an hour before you go to bed, and drinking sleep-inducing teas like Chamomile can also help.
2) Cut the Carbs
Eating foods filled with processed carbs and sugars is cheap and easy but also gives you spikes in energy that hurt your productivity. Switching from a carb and sugar heavy diet to one that favors vegetables and protein is going to improve how you feel and think by releasing energy steadily throughout the day. Steady energy will improve focus and help eliminate drowsiness, which ultimately will improve productivity.
3) Know When You Work Best
I work best in the mornings, from roughly 6–9am. It’s when I’m most alert and creative. But I have a friend who’s CEO of an app developing company and most mornings he won’t be out of bed before 10am. He’s a night owl and works best best from 12-3am, so that’s when he works.
Not everyone has a schedule that’s flexible enough to be able to choose the hours they work, but the point is to know when you work best and then do whatever you can to ensure you’re working during that time. If you work well in the morning then arrive early; if you prefer the evenings then stay later when everyone’s gone home.
4) Build Relationships
Regardless of where you work, company politics are a reality, and so your relationships with other employees are important. Go out of your way to make positive relationships with those you work with and also with those in positions above yours and in different departments.
People such as janitors and security guards are often overlooked but full of unique perspectives on the company and its employees. Allies at work will help you progress in the company but developing good relationships also creates an environment that is pleasant to work in and conducive to productivity.
5) Arrive Early
Getting to work early is an easy way to do more with your working hours by simply increasing them slightly. Use the time to answer emails or review any presentations you have. A little extra time to prepare can affect your performance greatly. It will also give you a head start over other employees while showcasing commitment to your superiors.
View arriving early as an opportunity to stand out in your office and to go beyond what is required of you before the working day ever begins.
6) Take Pride in Your Appearance
Dressing for success is a familiar idea – we dress up for job interviews and important meetings because we know that how we look affects how others perceive us. So why don’t we make more of an effort with how we dress everyday?
Our appearance affects how we perceive ourselves and our work. If you dress casually, then you’re more likely to treat your work casually. However, if you make your appearance important to you, it can help to give your work a sense of importance as well. Start taking your attitude towards your work seriously by first taking yourself and your appearance seriously.
7) Be Positive
Even if you hate your job and everyone around you hates theirs too, it doesn’t do any good to focus on that. Being negative creates apathy towards your work that limits your drive to be productive.
Instead of being negative, find ways to be positive – even about the most menial or boring jobs. Staying positive is a winning mindset at work and in life, so even if you’re only reason to be positive is the opportunity to practice being positive, then that’s reason enough.
Remember: there is something to be learned from every job. DC wrote a great post about 10 things he learned while working at Pizza Hut. He learned a lot working as a cook at Pizza Hut and some of that attributes to his positive attitude and desire to learn and grow regardless of what job it is.
8) Bring Your Dreams With You
Just because you don’t currently have your dream job doesn’t mean you have to leave your dreams at the door. The key is to find ways to incorporate your dreams and personality into what you’re already doing.
Think about how you can use the things you like to improve your work right now. Offer to help in departments that have need for your skills; volunteering above and beyond your job description gives you the freedom to be more creative with how you contribute. If it’s an area you’re interested in then any kind of foot in the door is worth exploring – you never know when doing what you enjoy could turn into a job opportunity for you later.
Always remember what motivates you day in and day out. Use that motivation to make the most of your time at work.
There are lots of factors that affect our work output and the best approach is to try experimenting with a few and see what works for you. Be open to change and regardless of whether you’re seeing results or not, keep striving to become more productive.
What things stop you from being productive? What’s your best method for increasing productivity?
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I did a number of these when I had a traditional 9-5 job and they helped. Now that I work from home this has been an on and off challenge for me. The big struggle is to avoid distractions as they generally just lead to a time suck. I’ve found that having a to-do list really helps keep me on track as I’m motivated to cross things off.
Great list. I’m particularly fond of ‘Build Relationships.’ My experience has been, that ultimately, the quality of our relationships is what drives the successes we achieve.
I’ve found quality sleep to be the most important for me. If I get enough sleep, I’m able to do 12 hours of work in 8 hours. If I don’t, it takes me 12 hours to do 8 hours of work
Taking pride in my appearance wasn’t something I took seriously until recently. I decided to spend a little extra time on getting ready in the mornings and for some reason, it really helps with my confidence through out the day! It’s an unexpected way to be productive, but it totally works!
A great post, indeed.
I always find that a good night sleep is the best thing that I can do to be productive. Not having enough sleeps means that my mind is not working efficiently. Not having enough sleep makes me tired and just want to delay all the tasks that I need to accomplish.
Nice post! Here is what has worked for me and helped me be successful in my career – I attend to the worst problem first thing in the morning.
“If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning.” –Mark Twain
Great tips! I’ve learned that for me I need to tackle big projects first thing in the morning when I’m most productive!