Let’s face it; everybody has off days at work.
But, when you find you’re regularly not finishing your workload, are persistently struggling to get that big promotion, or can’t seem to push your business up to the next level, you may not be working as efficiently as you could be.
Whether you want to achieve what seems to be impossible goals or if you’re looking for ways to motivate your workforce, here are some efficiency-boosting ideas to solve your work-place woes.
Organization
In any role, in any business, being organized is a key factor with efficiency. In all honesty, this is probably of the things I struggled to most with. I was still able to get things done, but imagine how much more I could have done if I had been more organized. Setting down structures to guide you will save time, money, and mental bandwidth.
It’s essential to plan your week as much as possible. The best time to do this is at the end of the previous working week. That way, you can recharge over the weekend safe in the knowledge that your tasks are organized for Monday. It’s also when everything is still fresh in your head so you’ll remember what you had been working on. You’ll be able to pick right back up where you left off.
You can also track your working hours, with an app like Hubstaff. Once you know how long a task takes, it’s easier to set aside time to complete it.
There’s lots of other great software available to help you get organized. Trello provides task software to aid in individual tasks and team projects. Similarly, Slack and HeySpace give you transparent, digital spaces for you to work in.
If you’re running a business that relies on a lot of organizational technology, it’s helpful to outsource your IT maintenance to Network Support Services. Doing so will help to up your office’s efficiency.
Motivation
We all work more efficiently when we feel motivated. But motivation is something you have to work at to maintain.
When you set goals, make sure they are both challenging and achievable in a set time frame. It is vital to learn good working habits, the most important of which is finishing projects that you start, but which challenge you enough to grow.
Generally speaking, the shorter your deadline, the more efficiently you work. If you have more than enough time to complete your task, procrastinating on Twitter is going to start looking pretty tempting.
Take a moment to reflect on what you have done each day. Identify any roadblocks or challenges you may have encountered. What can you do to avoid them next time? Focus on the progress you have made and recognize all that you have accomplished thus far. The deeper you cultivate this feeling of achievement in relation to good work, the more motivated you will feel daily.
Self Care
The happier and healthier you are, the more efficiently you will work. But, a lot of people neglect self-care when they need it most.
Sleep and a balanced diet need to be a priority. Know when it’s time to stop working, pause, and take a much-needed break. Try not to snack on sugar to see you through. Keep yourself hydrated and try and get at least one brisk walk in per day.
Take care of your mental health. If you feel stressed or unhappy, seek support. Sure, your job is important, but nothing is more precious than your health. Nothing that happens in the office is worth risking it!
And there we have it. By focusing on organization, motivation, and self-care, you can be sure to improve efficiency in any workplace. Here’s to YOUR success!
Carolyn R. Owens has over 25 years of proven experience and serves as a Career Strategist, Leadership and Life Coach. She is the Chairwoman and CEO of Infinity Coaching, Inc. where they help you up-level your skills so you can up-level your income. Infinity Coaching, Inc. provides one-on-one and group coaching, organizational training, and personality assessments. Carolyn is certified to give both The Energy Leadership Index Assessment and Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Assessment. You can find out more about both assessments and other products and services at https://infinitycoaching.net.
