30 Foolproof Ways To Be More Productive At Work
When it comes to work, productivity is obviously crucial. We need to make sure we get as much done as possible in the hours we spend at work so we can keep our personal time to ourselves. However, it’s not always easy to stay on track and keep a positive mind. Whether you keep a chocolate bar or an energy drink at your desk to get through the day, there are better options. Based on the advice of Hillary Wright, Y7 yoga instructor, and Miranda Hammer, R.D., we’ve compiled a list of 30 things you can do to make your time at work more productive.
Beauty Sleep
We all need rest. Getting a good night’s sleep is crucial for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and ensuring that you can make use of your day. Without rest, you’re not only lagging behind, but you’re also never performing at your best. By getting seven to eight hours of sleep every night, you make sure you feel rejuvenated and fresh daily. This will also translate into increased productivity.
Never Skip Breakfast
Breakfast is the best way to start the day by providing the necessary fuel and energy to take on the day. Having a healthy, substantial breakfast is essential for getting the proper start on the day and preparing for a productive morning at work.
Prepare Meals the Night Before
Make a meal the night before and store the ingredients in the fridge that need to be kept cold. This way, assembling lunch in the morning is seamless and quick. Even better, plan your meals for the entire week, so you’ll not only save money but also time. The best part is, saving time in the morning means sleeping in longer.
Use the Stairs
The elevator may be tempting, but using the stairs helps get the heart pumping and ensures that you’re alert for the start of the day. Even better, it is also better for you than taking the elevator.
Skip Happy Hour at the Office
While happy hour can increase morale and networking within the company, a few drinks can really slow down functionality. Even a few drinks leave us not at our best and productivity and focus are the first things to go. Try tea, kombucha, or even coffee instead.
Choose Nutritious Foods
When it comes to keeping yourself at your best, make sure to choose nutritious and energy-boosting foods. Energy bars, granola bars, fruits, salads, and many others are great choices. Be sure to stick to healthy options that won’t make cause you to burn out.
Take a Yoga Break
While some companies will suggest taking a few minutes to walk around every hour or two to get the blood flowing and allow for a stretch, consider amping this up a bit. Doing a short yoga exercise can really help increase blood flow and relaxation.
Hydrate, Hydrate, and Hydrate
One of the biggest mistakes people make throughout the day (which actually leads to a lot of headaches) is a lack of water. It is important to hydrate throughout the day and consistently drink water. It is okay to have some coffee or tea, but straight water is one of the best things for keeping focus and maintaining a high output.
Take a Deep Breath
Sometimes it’s important to just relax and try to control stress. Taking deep, full breaths throughout the day will keep blood oxygenated, which gets more to your brain. This will keep you functioning at your best.
Twist (and Shout?)
While shouting at the office is not the best idea, it is great to twist, fold and extend throughout the day. Stand up straight while sitting and make sure you stretch out your spine and keep it mobilized.
Make Good Lunch Choices
We already suggested planning lunches, so this might not be a problem. However, when going out for lunch or hitting up the cafeteria, be careful about the foods you choose. Vegetables, fruits, and other non-sugary and non-sweet treats are great. Ensure to include proteins and some fats, but avoid sweets to maintain good health and energy.
Snack With Purpose
Many of us do it; snack because we are bored, tired, or emotionally drained. Consider doing something different instead, like going for a walk, jog, or bike. Keep snacking to times when you’re actually hungry and in need of some energy.
Organization is Key
The fact is, a scattered office usually means our thoughts, projects, and general working state is also scattered. Maintain an organized workspace to stay on track and keep projects on schedule.
Meditate to Refresh
Just like yoga, meditation can be calming, refreshing, and help with stretching. It keeps body and mind in a good state so you can retain focus and productivity. Find a calming space in the office and take a 5 or 10-minute break throughout the day.
Avoid Deserts at the Office Party
We’re not saying that celebrating at the office is bad. Networking and bonding are great for both personal comfort at the office and solid teamwork. Avoid sugary, fatty treats that will hurt productivity and just enjoy the celebration.
Manage Portions
Whether it is food or coffee, having too much of anything can be bad. This includes fats, caffeine, and sugars. Maintain balanced and healthy portions throughout the day to maintain steady productivity.
Get Out and Stretch Those Legs
Going for a walk throughout the day is an incredible way to both increase blood flow and clear the mind. Doing this a few times a day is a great way to keep productivity high and make sure you can clear your head.
Network With Peers
Make use of time going to and from the bathroom, walking to clear your head, and on the way out of the office. Instead of spending it all on yourself, take the time to have conversations with peers, both work related and personal.
Use An Alarm
Taking even a few minutes out of your day to sit, calm down, and relax will help for clearing the head, regaining focus, and increasing productivity. Set an alarm every hour or two to stay on track.
Use Checklists
Making a to-do list in the morning or night is a great way to keep on track and get the tasks necessary done. More than that, it ensures that projects and jobs are prioritized properly.
Allocate Specific Time to Emails
Answering emails can take up a lot of time. When this is done every time an email comes in, it means putting off another task. This often means you lose focus and have to restart your thought process to get back into it. Instead, allocate a one hour period in the day where you answer emails. Depending on how many you get, you can even spend an hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon. It will really help you increase productivity and stay on track.
Exercise and Do Yoga Regularly
A consistent yoga routine will greatly help not only health but peace of mind. It allows for stretching, exercise, and meditation. Be sure to do this regularly - even outside of work - to keep focus and energy.
Stand and Stretch
If walking around - or socializing - really isn’t appealing, make sure to stand up and stretch out for five minutes every hour or two. It’s important to stay loose instead of getting stiff. This can have a real impact on productivity, even though it is not necessarily obvious.
Be Positive
Show those pearly whites throughout the day. Smile and keep your head held high. A positive outlook and attitude can go a long way for increasing output and productivity.
Limit Obstacles and Disruptions
Reducing the potential distractions is important for keeping on track. More than the actual time away, it disrupts focus, which can greatly reduce productivity.
Prioritize Challenging Projects
It is a good idea to get the more difficult tasks done first. Putting them off can be terrible for productivity and actually set you back significantly. Getting these done first will also help increase motivation for the next task.
Keep Caffeine to the Morning
Make sure that you only have caffeine in the morning. Drink water, juice, or tea during the afternoon to avoid having too much caffeine. It can cause a burnout and may even disrupt your sleep.
Keep A Clear Head With Noise Canceling Headphones
Using wireless, noise-canceling headphones can help keep you on track so that activity around you in the office isn't so distracting. They can help for blocking out unwanted noises and make sure retaining focus is much less of an issue.
Make Weekends Relaxing
The weekend is a great time to gather and collect yourself, as well as get much-needed rest before starting the next week. Don’t feel guilty. This is a terrific way to recharge your battery and stay on track during work time.
Do Not Be Too Critical
It’s important to know that some challenges can hold us back. Don’t be too harsh on yourself throughout the day and forgive certain mistakes or less productive days. Consider that day done and start fresh the next day.