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• HOW TO MAXIMIZE PRODUCTIVITY IN THE WORKPLACE

  22^nd June 2022

  Wondering how you can maximize productivity in the workplace? Here are five tips to help your organization function more efficiently.

  
  

  It is a known fact that increased productivity leads to increased profits for the organization and an overall satisfied workplace. It also results in improved customer service and business relations. But what can you do to maximize productivity and ensure efficiency?

  
  

  Let’s take a look at 10 tips to help you maximize productivity in your workplace.

  
  
  

  1. Use time-tracking software.

  It is very essential for businesses to monitor how their employees use and manage time. Time-tracking software makes it easy for you to plan your day and know how long each task will take for you to complete. This will allow you to have more control over your schedule, leading to a more productive outcome.
  And if you’re the employer, you can use these time-tracking reports to check how your business is functioning and analyze areas that your organization can improve to run more efficiently.

  
  
  
  
  

  2. Have regular breaks.

  
  

  As humans, we tend to get carried away with our tasks and forget to take breaks. Working constantly will lead to fatigue and burnout. So, organizations should encourage their employees to take regular breaks from work.
  Sometimes, even a 10–15 minutes break in-between work can help you recharge, feel refreshed, and improve your focus. This will allow you to return to your work with a fresh perspective and lead to increased productivity.

  
  

  3. Delegate tasks.

  
  

  You must’ve heard that delegation of tasks isn’t risk-free, but when you delegate tasks, you trust that employee to complete the work within the given time. This added responsibility and trust will improve their morale and result in job satisfaction. Increased job satisfaction automatically leads to increased productivity.
  Also, when you give your employees the chance to gain new skills, experiences, and grow, it will benefit your company and provide your employees with a sense of purpose and personal achievement in their careers.

  
  
  

  4. Improve workplace conditions.

  
  

  A workplace that is too cold or too hot will mean the employees are constantly distracted. They will spend more time huddling into their coats or finding a place closer to the electric fans/ air conditioning.
  In order to maximize productivity, ensure that your work environment has a comfortable working temperature and that both the heating and air-conditioning systems are functioning correctly as the seasons change.

  
  
  

  5. Implement positive reinforcements.

  
  

  Take the time out of your day to tell your employees if they’ve done a good job and offer constructive criticism on areas they can improve. Interact with them and offer encouragement and rewards for a job done well.
  Motivate them to work harder and present them with personal incentives. These could be anything depending on the employee — A takeout lunch? Book vouchers? Online shopping coupons? The more customized it is to their likes, the better.

  
  
  

  6. Encourage self-imposed deadlines.

  
  

  Self-imposed deadlines help us to manage our time more effectively and get the work done. Encourage your employees to set and stick to self-imposed deadlines while they work on the given task.
  Studies have shown that watching the clock can help increase your focus, improve productivity, and lead to better results.

  
  
  

  7. Implement the 2-minute rule.

  
  

  The idea behind this rule is to utilize time at work correctly. According to the two-minute rule, if you see a task or an action that can be completed in less than two minutes, get it done immediately.
  When you complete a task right away, it takes less time than it would take when you procrastinate and do it later.

  
  
  

  8. Discourage multitasking.

  
  

  Most of us believe that multitasking is essential for increasing efficiency, but psychologists have found that it actually has the opposite effect.
  When you attempt to multitask and work on multiple tasks at once, you are losing out on valuable time and productivity. Instead, choose one task to commit to and complete it before moving on to the next.

  
  
  

  9. Minimize interruptions.

  
  

  As humans, we are dependent on technology, and we can’t be expected to resist the urge to check our notifications. So, turn off unnecessary text and social media notifications during work hours. This will help you avoid distractions and focus on the task at hand.

  
  
  

  10. Set realistic goals.

  
  

  Encourage your employees to set goals and hit a daily task list. Setting goals will help improve your productivity as you’ll be concerned with reaching them and therefore be more focused and consistent with your work.

  
  

  To make the goal-setting process more efficient, follow the SMART model:
  
  S — specific, significant, stretching
  
  M — measurable, meaningful, motivational
  
  A — attainable, achievable, acceptable, action-oriented
  
  R — realistic, relevant, reasonable, rewarding, results-oriented
  
  T — time-based, timely, tangible, trackable

  
  

  Remember that a stressful workplace will not result in positive outcomes for anyone. When you work under such conditions, you are more likely to be dissatisfied, unproductive, and have higher levels of absenteeism.
  
  The number one thing you should keep in mind as an employer is to ensure that you have a positive and stress-free environment where your employees are happy. Showing them that they are valued in the organization and constantly finding areas of improvement will increase productivity in the workplace.
  
  So, go ahead and implement these tips and see how your workplace productivity increases and enjoy the benefits.