How to Boost Your Productivity in the Workplace

Staying productive at work is not always easy; some days, you may simply feel drained and lacking motivation. Other days, you may be preoccupied with a certain life event or dilemma that threatens to keep you from getting your work done. Occasionally, you may simply be so overwhelmed by how much you have to get done that you would like nothing more than to crawl under a rock. No matter what kind of workplace motivation problems you may be facing, there are some surefire ways to go about combating them.

Keep a To-Do List
One of the best ways to go about staying productive and on-task is to create a to-do list and keep it in plain sight at all times, according to Standard.net. Whether you create your list on your smartphone, computer, or on a good old-fashioned sticky note, being able to cross items off your list throughout the day will make you feel productive and will keep you motivated to cross off the next item on the list. Be careful, though. Avoid being a perfectionist and realize that, on some days, it may simply be impossible to cross everything off the list. This is especially true if you work as a freelancer, where it can be difficult to step away from the job and it is easy to feel as though you are always on the clock. Be reasonable and give yourself a break from time to time.

Keep an Organized Workspace
Having clutter all over your workspace can inhibit your productivity in a number of ways. For starters, clutter and disorganization can make even the simplest of tasks time consuming, especially, if completing these tasks means spending a half hour of your time simply trying to locate the necessary materials for doing so. Furthermore, WikiHow.com states that having a disorganized workspace can also bring down your mood, which will in turn make you feel less motivated at the workplace. Whether your workspace is a desk, a classroom, a medical practice or even a garage, take the time to organize your space and keep it that way; if you are not sure how, seek organization help from a fellow friend or co-worker. On the other hand, if you are organized; there are several careers out there that would suit you.

Request Alternative Furniture
According to BusinessInsider.com, sitting at a desk all day is not only bad for your state of mind and productivity, but is awful for your health as well. Whether you have a desk job as a customer service representative or work in a more hands-on job like a dental assistant, staying on the move while at work is important. Those with desk jobs should consider requesting a convertible desk that allows you to adjust its height so that you can stand instead of sit in front of it for at least some of the day. All employees should take brief five to ten minute breaks throughout the day to go for a quick walk and to clear their minds. This is a great way to catch your breath and get motivated all over again.

Optimize Your Time
Ever feel like there are not enough hours in the day? What you may not realize is that you could be wasting precious time. Make use of those spare minutes while you find yourself on hold with a client or waiting for a document to print by sending out a quick and necessary e-mail or completing another small task on your list that may have otherwise been pushed back until later. Regardless of whether you are a copy writer, a paralegal or a sales representative, you may be surprised to find just how much you can get done in a small period of time.

As you can see, there are numerous ways in which you can boost your own productivity at the workplace. Be sure to keep the above tips in mind, so that in the near future, your efficiency and hard work will be noticed by your superiors and you might be able to reap some great rewards as a result. In the meantime, just give every day your best effort to be more productive at work.

By Monica Mills
Photo by Dragon Images | Shutterstock

Monica Mills is a freelance writer who enjoys reporting on topics related to career, tech, and healthcare. One of her New Year’s resolutions was to become more productive while working.