9 Things to Consider in Order to Be More Efficient in the Workplace

We’ve all experienced the following situation: You are at work, concentrating on your project when suddenly it’s time to go home. You haven’t even finished half of the work you had planned for the day. What happened? Another colleague gave you an unexpected task. You spent too much time replying to emails. You put too many things on your to-do list. 

When we are at work, we focus too much on getting things done. We don’t keep up with how much time and effort we put into our work, as long as we reach our goals at the end. This is what being effective is all about: doing the right things. Now, in the long run you would like to optimize your working habits to become more efficient, by doing things the right way. When you become more efficient in the workplace, you will get the same output as before. However, it will take you less time and effort. 

The question you have to ask yourself is: What can I do to become more efficient in the workplace. Here are 9 tips to consider:

Write down specific tasks

Every goal on your list has to be clear and focused. This is the only way you will be able to work with your list properly.

Set priorities

The first question you have to ask yourself every single time is: Which tasks are urgent and which tasks are important? The important tasks always come first on your list.

Split bigger tasks

Your to-do list is your guide. It shouldn’t overwhelm you right from the start. Therefore, set yourself many small goals so that you can tick them off your list throughout the day. This way you will stay motivated and be satisfied with your own performance.

Set timeboxes

Your working day only has 8 hours. Write down in advance, how much time you will need for each task. Don’t worry, this is just an estimation. The reason why you should do this is to stay realistic while writing your to-do list. If you don’t stick to the timeboxes you have set at the beginning, that’s completely normal. Sooner or later you will develop a sense of estimating your work correctly.

Create a similar order

If you have to complete the same task over and over again, make sure you do it at a similar time of the day. This way, you will make a habit out of it and work more efficiently.

Say no

You can’t do all the work. That’s just how it is. So, if someone offers you a new project and you already have enough work to do, decline it. Your time and energy are limited. Quality is far more important than quantity.

Write down distracting thoughts

We all have many ideas that go through our heads during work, while we try to concentrate. Indeed, they can be very annoying and distracting. A good way to tackle that challenge is to write those thoughts down and get back to them later. This way, you can continue your work without getting distracted.

Check emails later

As soon as we get a new email, we want to reply immediately. Many of those emails are not urgent, but they distract us from our work. Now, once we check one email, we have the need to reply to all of them. Does this sound familiar to you? Yes, we are all guilty of it. This is how you stay focused: check your emails every hour. You won’t miss any important information and you will still be able to concentrate on your work.

Take breaks

Regular breaks at the workplace are very important. They should be part of your daily routine at the workplace. Get a cup of coffee or go for a short walk. Whatever you do, the important thing is to get away from your desk. Recharge your batteries. However, don’t spend your breaks on your smartphones.

Personal habits

How you spend your free time has a strong impact on your productivity. Take care of yourself, so that you can recharge your batteries when you are not at work. Make sure you get enough sleep, exercise and eat healthy. We all know the Latin phrase: “Mens Sana in corpore Sano” which means “a healthy mind in a healthy body”.

Good to-do lists, regular breaks, and a balanced lifestyle are the key to be more efficient at the workplace. Now, if you want to keep an overview of all the tasks and the projects you have been working on for that last couple of weeks, or even months, a time tracking software might be the perfect fit for you! Not only do you keep up with your performances and activities, but you can also see how much time you spent at work.

TimeTrackApp is an effective Time Tracker Software for Businesses and Individuals. Never worry about time tracking management again with our free easy-to-use time tracking software.

Set up a robust time tracking system in minutes and save time for the things that really matter: Learn more about TimeTrackApp.