3 WAYS TO IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY AT THE WORKPLACE
Companies in Malaysia are undergoing a very exciting time in terms of meeting the ever exacting customer demands and fiercely changing competitive marketplace.
Taking regular breaks while working is healthy for both the mind and body. However, spending too much time on certain things can be detrimental to your productivity. These are a few common time wasters and how to deal with them:
1. THE INTERNET
The pull of the Internet is no surprising thing. If your work does not require the use of the Internet, the surest method to avert distraction is to remove easy access to it. Remove any web browser shortcuts off of your desktop. If you ever do need to use it, you would have to navigate your way through your program files instead of just clicking on your desktop or application bar.
If you do require Internet access, install browser plug-ins to control your access to certain sites. You can control your restrictions to specific sites and limit browsing for pleasure during working hours.
2. YOUR EMAIL
Yes, even your most useful tool during work can become a distraction. Create an organised system that allows you to control incoming emails so that your attention won’t be pulled away due to every new email that comes in. You could create files to prioritise emails according to importance. Files labelled “Urgent”, “Later”, and “Others” will help you establish which require your attention immediately and which you can address later on.
Review emails in the “Later” and “Others” folder every morning and move any important ones to their appropriate folders. Set aside five to ten minutes every two hours or so going through emails in the “Urgent” folder.
3. YOUR COLLEAGUES
You’re bound to make some friends after spending eight hours a day with the same group of people. Keeping in mind that having associates who can relate with your work experience gives a significant social balance, sometimes, conversations can pull you far from more imperative tasks.
Allocate some time to spend with your colleagues, whether it be a lunch date or even just grabbing a cup of coffee. If someone stops by your desk for a chat, give it a few minutes but don’t be reluctant to let them know that you have something you have to complete. If your company allows, plug in earphones and listen to music to pull yourself away from more annoying distractions. If music doesn’t help you work, just wear the earphones anyway to block background noise and dissuade people from interrupting you.
Distractions are not necessarily bad. Studies demonstrate that employees who permit themselves short breaks are able to deal with stress better and are generally more productive than those who force themselves to work without any time off. You just have to figure out how to balance work with play, and treat brief periods of relaxations as a bonus for completing tasks.