6 Tips for Becoming More Efficient at Work
An efficient workplace is the key to a successful business, so how can you maximize your time and get more out of the day? Here are six useful tips for boosting efficiency at work.
- Make a to-do list
It’s easier to stay on track when you know exactly what needs to be completed within a certain timeframe. Start each day by writing up a list of tasks and allocating time to get them done. For example, ‘edit presentation from 10 am to 12 pm. Setting your own deadlines can make you more efficient as it creates a sense of urgency, as opposed to something like ‘work on a presentation at some point today.
- Communicate and collaborate
Being able to share ideas and collaborate can give you a new perspective, which means that talking through an idea can be a better use of your time than working on a project alone.
Effective communication means having all communication methods on a single, easily accessible platform. A unified communications system is a great way to do this, streamlining all communications channels into one, easy-to-use software.
- Don’t try to multitask
Multitasking might sound like a good way to get more work done in a shorter time frame, but the reality is that trying to complete too many tasks at once will slow you down. If you overload yourself with things to do, you’ll find it difficult to complete any single piece of work, and anything you do manage to finish may not be to a good standard. Prioritize one task at a time and give it your full attention, then move on to the next one.
- Take regular breaks
If you feel like you’re running out of ideas and you’re struggling to work out what the next steps on a project are, it’s time to take a break. Taking some time away from the desk gives your brain a chance to rest and reset so that when you get back to work, you’ll be able to give it your full attention.
- Develop a routine
Having a routine can help you to focus, meaning you get more done throughout the day. If you’re familiar enough with a routine, you’ll always know when it’s time to move on to a new task and how long you have left to complete anything you’re currently working on, which can help you to concentrate and get more work done. This improves your efficiency in a similar way to a to-do list, but a routine gives the day more structure and prompts you to develop efficient work patterns that will soon become second nature.
- Avoid distractions
Before you sit down to work, it’s crucial to clear the space of any potential distractions. Your personal mobile phone should be either switched off or on silent, and placed out of sight so that you can’t be tempted to reach for it. Make sure everything you need is nearby so that you don’t have to interrupt yourself by getting up to look for something. If you really need to focus, silence your email notifications and set up an automatic reply saying that you’re not currently available.
