Tips and Tools to Stay Focused and Increase Productivity at Work

2015 has been a great year here at Workspace Solutions, and we’re even more excited to see what’s to come in 2016! As we press on into the new year, we can’t help but reflect on the passing year. You might be in the same boat – measuring your businesses productivity, seeing how you can improve, etc. Did you get everything done that you wanted to accomplish last year? If not, you’re not alone. Time slips away – and fast. It seems like there’s not enough hours in the day to accomplish all of our tasks! In order to make sure 2016 is a great year for your business, here are some tips and apps to help you stay focused and increase productivity. With a little help, you can be sure 2016 is the most productive year for your business!

Time Management

First and foremost, the most important aspect of maximizing your productivity is to master time management. If it seems like there’s not enough time to get everything done, chances are, you may be wasting valuable time on things that just aren’t important. So, where is all of your time going? Apps like Rescue Time run securely in the background on your computer and tracks time spent on applications and websites. It then sends you detailed reports to give you and accurate picture of your day and indicates your biggest time thieves. The first step in maximizing productivity is cutting out those big time wasters.

Stay Focused

With today’s digital world, it’s easy to get distracted. A recent study showed that for every interruption it takes approximately 25 minutes to get back on track. So, when you have the urge to check facebook, again, or think you need to know what’s happening in the news, apps such as Anti-Social can help you stay focused on the task at hand. It blocks any distracting websites that make you unproductive. You can set it for as little as 15 minutes or as many as 8 hours.

And, if you keep your phone beside you while you work you know that every time that screen lights up with a notification, it interrupts your productivity. Set aside a few hours each day to focus only on your work. Put your phone on airplane mode or put it in the next room to avoid looking at it.

Don’t Multitask

What?? DON’T multitask? But isn’t it the best way to make sure all of my projects get done? Stanford University recently released a study that found that multitasking is less productive than doing a single project at a time. And, that multitasking not only reduces performance but, also lowers your IQ.

Next time you’re working on a project, shut off your phone, close your door, and turn off notifications for emails.

Do Creative Work First

This might seem counterintuitive to what you typically do. Most of us spend the first few hours of the workday doing something mindless such as returning emails. Even mindless activities can tire the brain pretty quickly, which means your concentration and creativity are at an all time low before you even begin the day’s important tasks. In order to combat this, switch your day up. Work on the most pressing issues first, and then move on to the more mindless tasks.

If you’ve hit a wall in your work, and don’t know where to go next, take a break from it and come back. Many issues such as writers block can be fixed by coming back to the project with renewed concentration and a fresh start.

Know Yourself

Studies have also shown that most people are only truly focused for about 6 hours per week. This means that what you put into those 6 hours can make or break your entire week. The key to maximizing productivity is knowing when those six hours occur for you and working on the most important tasks during those times. Some people concentrate better in the early morning while some might focus better at night. Know which camp you fit in and be sure to devote some time during those hours, especially.

Check Your Office Furniture

Your office furniture can also play a big role in your performance. An uncomfortable desk or chair can decrease productivity. Not all office chairs are created equal. Make sure you choose the best chair for how you’ll use it. Before you purchase new furniture, talk to our team at Workspace Solutions in Fort Wayne, Warsaw, or Indianapolis. We chan help you choose from a wide variety of innovative office furniture that can help you maximize productivity

We also offer office design and planning so you can be sure to get the most out of your office space!

Let us help you make 2016 the most productive year you’ve ever had!