Contents
Many work hours are lost each year due to illness or employees taking days off, however, what’s more surprising is the amount of time lost while the workers are in the office. Productivity is a significant area of concern for small and large corporations, as losses can reach billions if not addressed. Using analytical tools and with software monitoring, businesses can track the activity of workers, but that doesn’t fix the problem. Workers will need to be responsible for their actions and be prepared to make changes to improve their productivity levels.
1. Distractions in the Workplace
A significant area of concern for employers is keeping employees focused on the job. There are a plethora of devices, and most workers have a computer screen so it can be easy to waste the day browsing online, updating Facebook or playing games. There are services available to restrict web use in an office but many companies need access, so employees need to be self-disciplined to eliminate wasted time.
2. Checking email is a full-time job
Many workers get sucked into the cycle of checking emails, replying and responding when they should stay focused on the task at hand. Unless an email has an urgent response needed, it can wait until a specific time you have set aside to deal with email communications. A good practice is to set some time in the morning, after lunch and before you finish for the day to deal with emails and correspondence. Try not to deviate from your schedule, as regularly checking email will reduce your productivity throughout the working day.
3. Procrastinating Over Tasks
Every task undertaken at work will need some thought to ensure you complete it most efficiently and thoroughly. Taking too much time to decide how to handle a phone call or word an email to a client can detract from your productivity. Clear and concise thought is needed and once a decision has been made, act on it. Procrastinating is a common hinderer of productivity in telesales environments where constant activity is as important as the quality.
4. In the Wrong Job
If you dread going to work on a Monday morning or eagerly watch the clock until its time to go home, then you might just be in the wrong position. For many, financial security often takes precedence over personal satisfaction and, as such, find it challenging to be able to bite the bullet and attempt to do something that is either more suited to them or, crucially, something that gives them personal satisfaction and a sense of purpose.
People don’t need to be economy wizards, accountants or business executives to be successful. Some make for excellent florists, hairdressers or teachers. Some people are good with numbers, while others are good with people. Fortunately, being able to take on these kinds of challenges isn’t as difficult as it first might appear.
Thanks to the proliferation of online educational institutions all around the world, there is no shortage of options to choose from. You can find courses being offered in numerous fields, covering topics as diverse as beauty therapy, agriculture and even mental health. There truly is no shortage of options for those keen on changing their vocation. Crucially, a lot of these courses are also offered with practical work placement, which means you’ll be far more prepared for that career change when it comes. Additionally, for those that might be a bit timider in their approach, a lot of these courses offer enough flexibility where you can still be employed and study at the same time.
5. Spinning Too Many Plates
Multi-tasking is regarded as a fantastic skill for any worker to possess, in actuality, this is not so conclusive. It has been noted that handling multiple tasks at one time can lead to time loss and oversight as your brain is looking at more than one complex problem. When possible, workers should seek to tick off a task before proceeding to another. This helps improve the quality of work and will keep time delays to a minimum. Being careful not to burden employees with too many tasks will help to keep them focused and won’t overwhelm them which can lead to disinterested and unhappy workers.
6. Under Planning
Not having a plan of how to execute the tasks in the workplace can lead to constant time delays and disruptions. As mentioned previously, you need a clear course of action in place so you can complete jobs promptly. Employers can help with putting in place a road map of how specific tasks need to be handled within the company. This will keep employees informed and company procedure uniform across the board. Workers should also have a schedule in place for each day or week listing the work requirements that need to be addressed.
Be Productive
By putting a little thought into how you go about your work day and picking up good habits, you can increase productivity levels and will also feel better about yourself as a natural consequence. Tracking the time spent completing tasks will give you insight into how much time is required. If meetings are a regular part of your day try to limit them to keep the day clear for work.
Through putting strict work practices in place, you should notice a definite change in your output and improvement at the company. If you make the changes suggested and still feel distracted or uninterested at work, it is time to look forward, towards the future.
“The opinions expressed by BizWitty Contributors are their own, not those of BizCover and should not be relied upon in place of appropriate professional advice. Please read our full disclaimer."
