Working hard these days isn’t just about putting the hours in and seeing incremental results anymore. There are thousands of tips, tricks, and techniques on how to get the best out of an eight-hour working day. But how can you make these techniques work for you?
Reading and researching can only get you so far; you have to actually put things into action and see how they work for you. Instead of relying on ‘trial and error’ use the ‘Test, Measure and Adjust’ system to see how much more effective each technique makes you.
If you are working on lots of projects simultaneously then one of the most efficient ways to work is by time blocking. First, make a list of absolutely everything that you would like to complete in the next week or two and schedule into your diary in manageable blocks. It may seem daunting to start with, but when you start breaking things down into more manageable tasks, they will suddenly feel much easier to achieve throughout the week. If you work with a team then it is also much easier to avoid distractions if you make it clear when you are busy and when you are free to answer queries from them. If you use a shared electronic calendar it becomes even easier for people to see when you are available and when you are not.
You could also try dividing your week into blocks of time, like a school timetable. It might be in two-hour blocks, or four equal blocks (otherwise known as the “Four Quarter” method) or even half day blocks, with a dedicated break for lunch. You then need to prioritise your workload, and schedule the tasks into your day. You could even go one step further if you have recurring weekly or monthly tasks and set up a ‘default diary’ so that nothing is overlooked.
This method allows you to pick up and put down work from different projects while staying productive. If you keep your brain active you don’t tend to get as tired as quickly as you would if not working efficiently. There are of course downsides to this technique. For example, if you don’t like working with too many restrictions, then it may be too rigid of a system for you.
Another popular method you may have heard of is the Pomodoro Technique. This advocates working in short bursts and taking regular breaks. It works best in 25 minute chunks with a 5 minute break and a slightly longer 15-30 minute break after every 4 ‘Pomodoro’s’.
It might turn out that using a hybrid of lots of techniques work best for you. Whatever you choose do make sure you keep measuring the results and make the relevant adjustments to keep improving.
Looking outside of time management, your working environment could be holding you back. If you’re in the office, take a look around and ask yourself if are you comfortable, or are there things you would like to change about your desk or office? Having plants in the office building is a long-known method of helping improve the working environment. Studies show that having oxygenating plants at worker’s desks not only boosts productivity, but also their mood and feeling of wellness.
At the end of the day, to be able to squeeze out that little bit more productivity from your days and weeks, you need to personally learn how you work most efficiently. What works well for your colleagues or staff might not work at all for you. Learning how to work well for yourself will always lead to much higher levels of productivity and more job satisfaction.
By taking a holistic approach to productivity and giving yourself the right tools to work at your best, you will see dividends in terms of increased output without needing to exert too much extra effort.
Do you have any more productivity hacks? What is your favourite way of working? Let us know in the comments!