Is It Possible to Be Productive All Day?

March 1, 2019

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Most HR managers are busy all day, every day. But how often does your “busy work” translate into real productivity? These tips will help you maximize your productive time – and savor your breaks – to be as productive as possible.

What Does It Mean to Be Productive All Day?

First and foremost, it is impossible to work at maximum productivity every minute of the workday. In fact, we all need to take breaks and have some downtime in order to recharge our batteries. The real first step in maximizing productivity is understanding that we all have limitations and we all have periods of time where we do our best work.

Focus on Intervals

Interval training – short bursts of high-intensity activity followed by rest – is the hot new way to maximize calorie burn in a workout, and those same principles can help you be more productive throughout the workday. Turn off notifications on your email, phone, social media, etc. Then set a timer for 50 minutes and focus intently on your work for that period of time.

When the timer goes off, get up and move around let your brain relax. After ten minutes, do another interval.

Stop Multitasking

It is a myth that you can multitask and turn out effective work. Focusing on multiple things at once does not allow you to get more done, it simply makes you less productive and increases the chances that you will make a mistake.

Know Your Personal Rhythms

Some people have more energy in the morning and crash mid-afternoon. Other people can’t seem to get their engines running until after they eat lunch. Tailoring your workday as best you can to align with your own energy levels will boost your productivity. Work on your most important tasks when you have the most energy and focus on tasks that don’t require as much brainpower when you’re feeling low energy.

Say No

It is nice to help out your team, but you only have so many hours in each day. “No” can be the most important word in your professional vocabulary. If someone asks you to take on more work and your plate is already overflowing, there is nothing wrong with saying no to a colleague. You have to ensure your own tasks and projects are complete before helping others.

Take Ten at the End of the Workday

Before you go home for the day, look at your task list for the following day and take ten minutes to develop a plan. Make your to-do list and block out your work. That way, when you come into the office in the morning, you already know what you have to do and you have a plan for getting it done. This will create less stress and will allow you to jump right into work once you are settled at your desk.

For more tips on maximizing productivity and getting more from your workday, contact PrideStaff today.