HR has a central role to play in boosting employee and overall organisational productivity. But, it’s very easy for HR professionals to spend so much time on boosting the productivity of others that they neglect their own productivity levels.
There are of course some very well documented ways that HR as a function can improve its productivity – automating processes, giving employees the tools to manage and update their own data, outsourcing certain activities and so on. But, how can you, as a professional, be more productive at work on a daily basis.
We have come up with 10 top tips to boost productivity, but without increasing hours or stress levels. In fact, increased productivity could potentially lead to reduced stress and a reduced need to work overtime or take work home. Read on!
1. Be punctual. If you’re late before the working day has even begun, then you start on the back foot and it can be hard to ever properly catch up.
2. Write a to do list. Either write it at the beginning of the day or better still, at the end of the working day, ready for the next day. This has the added bonus of giving some closure at the end of the day, leaving your mind free of work when you clock off.
3. Prioritise. Establish which tasks are most important and which can wait. Estimate how long you think tasks will take so that you can be realistic about what you will achieve.
4. Get started. It’s very easy to procrastinate, but if you get stuck into work soon after your arrival it sets you up well for the day.
5. Don’t multitask. Multitasking is generally considered a positive attribute. However, it’s often better to concentrate properly on the job in hand until it has reached its conclusion, rather than trying to do many different things at once and not giving any of them your full attention.
6. Take regular breaks. Don’t be a slave to your desk. Taking five or ten minutes during the day here or there as well as a lunch break gives your mind and body time to recharge a bit. This improves your ability to concentrate, which in turn improves productivity.
7. Take a lunch break. What you do in that lunch break is up to you – eat a leisurely lunch, take a stroll outside, chat to colleagues, go to the gym or local swimming pool…The important bit is taking a break. It helps clear the mind and improve afternoon productivity. Anything that involves exercise and fresh air is particularly good.
8. Don’t be distracted by technology. Technology is supposed to help us perform tasks better and more quickly. However, technology can also be a big source of distraction, constantly interrupting people’s work and train of thought.
9. Declutter your working environment. It’s much easier to be productive if you can find everything. Have a clear out, get on top of filing and make sure your desk is clean and tidy.
10. Leave work behind. When the working day is done, leave it behind. Switching off from work and spending time with family, friends, on hobbies, or whatever it is that you like to do in your spare time, allows you to recharge your batteries.
There are some good TED talks on boosting productivity: https://www.ted.com/topics/productivity
Here is one of our favourite about working smarter (not harder)
Comments
I will look at that Leanne (a little later ;-) ), I could certainly do with some tips. I've just looked at my desk and there is a mixture of work, minecraft notes (my children) and a few 'to file' documents. It isn't too bad but if anyone were to scratch beneath the surface, they would find drawers spewing envelopes, bits of card, hair bands, rubber bands, well, you name it really! I am really looking forward to your session on effective desk management next week, I will be implementing some strategies for sure (no pressure!).
I do spend a lot of my time standing up to work at my laptop, prompted by a bad back a few years ago.
On the topic of walking meetings a local networking group near me do just this.
Walking meeting
I haven't made the meeting yet as I am doing another type of walking, usually at a fast pace - the school run!
Helen
Some top tips here and thankfully some have already become part of the daily routine! I too become distracted when researching - coming across this article is a prime example and then I remember my mentor saying to me. "Do one thing well" which has become my mantra! And by that I mean "focus on one thing at a time" allocating myself suitable time frames for completion, this has helped me with my L&D studies, balancing work and family
life.
I find the the idea of walking meetings and decluttering the working enviroment very useful and I've come across a great article http://michaelhyatt.com/clear-your-desk-clear-your-mind. ( decluttering is still on my to do list !)
Leanne
Echoing Helen Jeffery's comments there are some good tips here and I am proud to say I can tick a few boxes and really liked the video of the benefits of walking meetings, maybe I'll think of some ideas to put forward to my company leaders. However I do fall down on the multi-tasking and the uncluttered desk points and I think that's because I work for an SME and the role is multifunctional to the point and with all the best will in the world, being able to concentrate on one thing until it's completed is practically impossible! I'd be interested to know if anyone else has this problem. As for the cluttered desk - well I think that's something I can address.
Jan
Hi Mike
Some great tips and I totally agree about technology - it is there to help but can so easily become a distraction! Working from home a lot I've become very disciplined about sticking to tasks in hand but then try and give myself some time in the day/week to let my mind wander and follow links. It is a great way of learning but can detract from the task in hand!
I often get comments from students about the amount of emails they get at work. I have certainly been in that situation in HR roles and know that sinking feeling when you open your inbox after a holiday or even on a Monday morning!
I have found this article which is quite useful - it does stress that it contains ideas and each situation/person is different. Not everyone is able to read emails at certain times in the day, nor would want to, but it contains some useful tips. What helped me, was where emails were lengthy and possibly open to interpretation, to wait before replying (unless urgent and important) so I could think and perhaps find the person to talk or call instead. Although a conversation can take longer than an email initially, face to face can be more effective at times as it avoids misunderstandings and email 'tennis'!
Here is the link:
Mind tools managing email effectively
Helen