How to Be More Productive At Work: 7 Steps

We would all like to become more efficient at work. No matter how great we are at our jobs, there’s always room to be more productive and more focused on goals and getting things done. 

Here are 7 steps that you can take to optimize your time and become more productive at work:

1. Get a good night’s rest

Everyone has heard the many benefits of getting a good night’s sleep. Getting enough sleep affects mood and happiness. It enables you to be physically fit; both because your body heals cell and tissue damage while you sleep and because being well-rested empowers you with the energy to get out and exercise. It improves mental concentration, alertness, concentration and memory. All of these reasons, and many more, add up to a vastly-improved state of mind and well-being, thus enabling you to wake up ready to take on your day.

2. Plan your day out with a to-do list

Before you start your day, focus on all of the things that you need to get done today. Take stock of the previous day’s accomplishments, then outline a to-do list that will help you deliver your projects and meet your goals. Write it down or type it up in any format that makes sense for you and keep it handy as you work through your day. This will keep you organized and focused and the best part is the satisfaction you’ll get from crossing each item off your list as you go.

3. Caffeinate – but do it at the right time!

Did you know there are good and bad times to drink coffee? If you’re a coffee drinker, caffeine can be a nice pick-me-up. But certain times of the day are better than others for enjoying a cup of joe. As it turns out, first thing in the morning is actually one of the worst times to drink coffee. This has to do with our bodies’ natural levels of cortisol production – our bodies produce different levels at different times during the day.

According to TIME, if you consume caffeine during a period when your body’s cortisol production is high you interfere with the production of the hormone, which would normally give you a natural boost. As a result, your body begins to produce less cortisol as it becomes reliant upon the caffeine. If you do it in the morning, you increase your tolerance to caffeine as caffeine replaces the production of cortisol.^[1]

Cortisol levels spike at three different times during the day. The best times to drink coffee, or any caffeinated beverage, are between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. and between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.^[1]

4. Tackle the hardest task first

The most productive people start each morning by taking on the worst item on their plate. By tackling the hardest or most-dreaded thing first, you can get it out of the way. On top of being able to check it off your to-do list, you will have freed up the rest of your day for other, likely more enjoyable, work.

5. Keep your desk clean

Look around at your desk. Could it be cleaner? Chances are that the daily obligations and stresses of your job have left you with little time for housekeeping and you may have let your work space get a bit messy. It’s understandable if you have deprioritized cleaning your desk, but a tidy, organized work space can lead to more work efficiencies. Take a few minutes to organize your desk will ensure that you know exactly where to find specific files, collateral and office supplies next time you need them. Keeping your desk clean can save you time in the future.

6. Get your mind off things for a while

Everyone hits a mental roadblock from time to time. Whether you've been thinking in circles, spinning your wheels or just focused on the same topic for too long, taking a mental break can do wonders. Do a few stretches in your chair, go for a quick walk around the floor or around the block, grab a coffee or even squeeze in a workout. Get your mind off things, even if it’s just for a few minutes, and you will be able to return with a fresh set of eyes, reinvigorated and ready to attack the problem at hand.

7. Don’t waste time

This may sound obvious, but can you honestly account for the minutes or even hours spent daily checking your personal email, social networking sites or other time-wasting sites? Sure, cat videos and listicles about your favorite TV show are attention-grabbing, but resist the urge to click! These sites are specifically designed to be sticky – their revenue often depends on keeping your eyes on their pages. If you can’t simply resolve to stay off of those sites, try a browser extension that can help you block out the distracting noise. You can also start to store your phone in a desk drawer where it’s out of sight so you won’t be tempted to investigate all the alerts and notifications that pop up on your screen.

There’s no time like the present to start taking these steps towards becoming more productive at work. In addition to working smarter and more efficiently, you’ll feel more organized and accomplished. So use these tips to work towards your goals and don’t lose your motivation.

Do you have any tips that you use to increase productivity? Let us know in comments below!

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