Being More Productive At Work
To be productive or not to be, that is the most challenging question to be answered these days. Productive are two different things with routines. Being productive is not only producing so much work, but it’s about feeling good about what you have done and what you have achieved. Not to mention people around you can feel the benefits of what you have done. We have 24 hours in a day to deal with every part of our daily life; spending time with our loved ones, works, self-love, and routines.
As Peter F. Dracker states, “Productivity means the balance between all production factors that will give the greatest output for the smallest effort” (The Practice of Management, 1993, p41). In other words, we could say productive is a combination of many factors to make a good result. The advantages and expectations of being productive are that you can produce as many results as possible and produce high-quality outcomes with less effort needed. It means you have to think of making at least the same quality or better quality of works from an event, however, done with less effort than you usually give in.
Having to stay productive is one of my goals; being able to use my time effectively and get everything done yet still have time to rest. With these never-ending tasks I have at work, finishing the offline to the online application, I feel trapped with the limited working time, not to mention other activities or routines that I need to do. I realized that being productive is the key. I have to plan what I do, stay focused, limit unnecessary activities, and use my time wisely.
1. Make a to-do list
Write your to-do lists before you start the day and put it where you can see them. Put the priorities on the top list, followed by other tasks or activities, including your routines.
2. Budget the time
Wake up early in the morning. It gives you extra time to finish your tasks and get your activities done; including exercising and making breakfast which are important for your body.
3. Take a regular break
After two or more working behind your desk, you can feel sore on your shoulder, and feel tired because your eyes are working harder than it should be. Take a 5 min break and do stretching for every 30min of your working-behind-the desk time. Taking a break is not only about resting your body, but it also helps you to maintaining your pruductivity, understanding the problems you are facing, and perpetuating your creativity.
4. Review
Review all your finished tasks. Do correction when necessary before logging off from work.
The challenges I face in being productive at work is the interruption of supervisor orders, the unplanned meetings, and other distractions such as feeling tired, hungry, and socializing with colleagues. The office policy forms the job environment. Our supervisors sometimes forget about their staff’s job, making a productive day is not about the result, but it is a process. If you know it’s not part of your plan and have repeatedly making your day unproductive especially holding back your main job or tasks, having a meeting in sharing your thoughts with your suppervisor can be one of the ways for you to get back on track.
