Everyone has 24 hours in their day, but it seems some people are able to achieve far more during this time than others. Fortunately for “the others,” boosting daily productivity is not rocket science. Instead, it just takes self-discipline and practice. Begin by identifying areas that are hindering your productivity. Check out these three ideas of mistakes you could be making.
1. Not Taking Enough Breaks
While it may sound counterintuitive, working less could help you accomplish more. Committing to a certain task for an extended period of time is not a recipe for success. Rather, without adequate breaks from work, your mental well-being and overall performance may suffer.
More than half of Americans report being too busy to take a lunch break. Unfortunately, these employees aren’t aware that breaks actually make you more productive and increase focus. Having lunch away from your desk or engaging in other activities can help you recharge mid-day. For example, a short walk can increase productivity by up to 30%. Not up for the physical exercise? Consider another engaging activity such as online gaming. 54% of gamers report playing while at work. Fortunately, video games can help relieve stress and help you stay engaged during a strenuous or monotonous workday.
Whether at work or completing your personal to-do list, make time for breaks throughout your work. Rather than cutting out breaks in an effort to save time, realize that a change in activity can actually boost your productivity. Find the work-break combination that suits you best to get more done in less time and with less stress.
2. Having Too Many Distractions
The distractions in our busy lives often seem never-ending and it is no surprise that they hinder productivity. Tech notifications and clutter are two ways that we are distracted, but fortunately can easily be corrected.
Tech Notifications
Research shows phone or email notifications can derail focus even if the call or message is ignored. Just hearing your phone alert can hurt productivity as your mind begins to wander. Despite the best self-control to ignore the notifications, it is recommended to silence text and calls with a “Do Not Disturb” setting. Consider turning off email notifications temporarily, too: just seeing the unread message indicator can ruin focus.
Clutter
Excessive clutter in your work space competes for your attention and can hinder productivity. Whether it’s your physical space or your lack of digital organization, clutter can be a distraction. Take time to organize your spaces. Each item should be there for a reason: remove anything without a purpose or that is distracting. Read more here about the negative relationship between clutter and productivity.
3. Attempting to Multitask
Multitasking seems like a great way to tackle several tasks at once. Most people believe they can easily complete two (more more!) tasks simultaneously. Unfortunately, the human brain isn’t wired to multitask. In actuality, research shows that multitasking may reduce productivity by up to 40%! Overall, people become less efficient while multitasking, and their attention spans and productivity decrease. No matter how simple the tasks may be, toggling between activities limits focus and can increase mental fatigue. Attempt to focus on one task at a time to actually complete each one faster.
Avoid Productivity Mistakes to Make the Most of Your Time
Simply avoiding these three mistakes probably won’t cause your productivity to skyrocket. However, keep these tips in mind and apply them on a daily basis. Take frequent breaks, focus on a single task, don’t allow distractions to get in the way of your goals.
