Workplace productivity is about the quantity of work that an employee can complete in a given time period. Productivity is the quantity of work completed in a given period of time.
Productive employees have the ability to produce the maximum possible output regardless of the conditions. Productivity enables businesses and employees to do more.
WHAT ARE THE OFFICE PRODUCTIVITY MYTHS?
There are so many myths about office productivity. We are going to debunk a few of them today.
Myth 1: Working from home will increase your productivity:
Working from home may not be the best idea for people who have trouble managing their time and focus.
Myth 2: More meetings means more productivity:
The truth is, meetings can actually reduce your productivity if they take too much time away from your work.
Myth 3: If you’re not busy, you’re not being productive:
This is one of the most common myths about office productivity that needs to be debunked. Productivity doesn’t mean you need to be busy all the time.
Myth 4: We need to work hard in order to be productive:
The fact is, productivity is a state of mind, and you can find ways to be productive without working hard.
Myth 5: Working long hours is the only way to get things done:
The fact is, working long hours does not necessarily correlate with productivity.
Myth 6: Taking breaks from work is a waste of time and hinders productivity.
A proven fact is that taking breaks from your work actually helps you stay focused and increases your productivity.
WHAT KEY CAUSES WORKERS’ TO BE UNPRODUCTIVE?
1. Distraction
One of the main causes of distractions at work comes from technology. We are wired to check our mobiles and email often because of habit, not because of anything important. It doesn’t mean that technology is bad for productivity. It definitely contributes a lot to workplace productivity.
Another main distraction, which I’d like to highlight, is those friendly chats. It again carries us away from our work, unsurprisingly, and from our productive time. More often than not, it has negative effects on your productivity.
2. Employee Disengagement
Employees who are dissatisfied with their work are much less productive than those who are. Unhappy employees frequently contribute less to the workplace since their efforts are not sincere.
3. Multi-Tasking
People spend more time multitasking under the false notion that it is prudent. By multitasking, you are really draining your energy. More significantly, you lose focus when working on critical tasks late in the day.
4. Poor Communication
Poor communication can occur in any vertical of the organization. For example, the vision of the company, job role clarity, or expectations of both employees and management may not have been discussed properly. These may lead to an unproductive environment and leave an open door for errors as well.
How Technology Can Actually Improve Office Productivity
Technology is a great way to increase productivity. So, if you are looking for ways to increase your productivity at work, you may want to consider some of these tips.
Tip 1: Use Technology to Reduce Distractions
Tip 2: Automate and Simplify Your Tasks
Tip 3: Use Technology to Effectively Communicate with Your Team
How Paper To-Do List Can Help Productivity
The most important thing about paper to-do lists is that you can use them anywhere, anytime. No matter where you are, as long as you have a pen and paper with you, you can jot down your thoughts and ideas.
Some people might say that paper to-do lists are not as efficient as their digital counterparts because they lack features such as reminders and notifications.
But in reality, this is not true at all! The best thing about analog to-do lists is that they don’t distract you like digital.
Select the best method that suits you the most.
4 TIPS FOR IMPROVED WORKPLACE PRODUCTIVITY
1. Eliminate Interruptions and Get Laser-Focused on What Matters.
When you are required to be focused on work or projects, provide your phones and laptops for your employees to use for emergencies only.
Create a policy that states employees can only interrupt others who are on their lunch break or if it is an emergency.
Turn off or silence your phone while at work if you are not receiving official calls or messages, but have it on all the time in case of an emergency.
2. Avoid Ineffective Meetings.
You can reduce the number of unnecessary meetings. Only invite those who must be present and who can contribute or make decisions. Most of the time, at cross-functional meetings, we may see a large number of people attending but have nothing to contribute.
Turn your meetings into opportunities for employees to establish friendships and increase communication. Don’t shun meetings entirely. Regular town hall meetings via Zoom video calls make distant workers feel involved.
3. Maintain a Time Log.
Keeping a time log allows them to better plan and organize their day’s work. Time-tracking tools or applications are available to help measure productivity. Don’t try to micromanage using time trackers because it will limit productivity.
4. Encourage Regular Break Times.
Don’t underestimate the importance of taking frequent breaks for productivity. Even if they are productive, everyone gets tired of their jobs. Encourage your employees to recharge with regular work and return to work with a clear head in order to be more effective.
Create an environment in the office where employees may unwind and interact with one another. I would highly advise folks who work from home to take breaks in places where they frequently receive neglect. Take a deep breath of fresh air or a sip of your favorite coffee.
Final Thoughts
Employees that are pleased and motivated are essential for any firm seeking to increase its competitiveness. Individual productivity improves organizational performance. Simple initiatives can be enough to boost productivity without the need for major reforms in processes, etc.
