Do you ever wish there were more hours in the day to get everything done? In today’s fast-paced world, where distractions lurk around every corner and demands on our time seem never-ending, optimizing our productivity has become more important than ever.
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Whether you’re striving to meet deadlines, juggle multiple tasks, or simply find more balance in your work life, optimizing your productivity can make a huge difference. In this post, you’ll find practical tips that will help you reclaim your workday, including time-tracking, music, and so much more. Let’s dive straight in!
Avoid Bad News
Happy people are more productive. However, constantly focusing on the news cycle hinders your productivity and acts as a distraction. Instead, dip in just enough to stay informed and use your time for tasks that benefit you and your business.
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Avoid the insanity of the 24/7 news cycle and focus on positive activities that can improve your mood and productivity.
Use Toggl for Time Tracking
Distractions like timesheets and invoicing can eat up your workday. Thankfully, the Toggl app helps you track your time usage efficiently. It’s free and allows you to define categories for different work types.
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By stopping and starting Toggl throughout the day, you gain hard data on how you spend your time. Afterward, you can explore this data through various charts to discover how you can manage your time better. Toggl is great for teams and individuals! So, you can use it to manage your employees’ time, too.
Let the Light Shine in
Darkness and artificial light aren’t ideal for your productivity. A North-Western study found that natural light exposure helps workers get nearly an extra hour of sleep nightly, boosting their quality of life.
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Workers without windows suffer the most, leading to sluggish outputs. So, if you’re in an area with limited natural light, invest in a lamp that replicates natural light to boost your productivity and well-being.
Use the Calm App for Relaxation
Relaxation and meditation can boost your productivity. The Calm app offers 25-minute calming clips and longer courses. Some meditations are free, giving you a taste of what to expect.
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You’ll need to subscribe to access more features, which cost about the same as Netflix. However, unlike Netflix binges, Calm’s meditations can positively impact your productivity. So, try it to see if relaxation and mindfulness improve your work performance.
Experiment With Music
A study found that 38% of workers aren’t allowed to listen to music in the office, but 79% could improve productivity with music. The ‘reasonable listening model’ suggests music boosts your performance up to a point.
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Pop, chart, folk, and indie are the most popular office music genres. So, experiment with different music types to discover if it enhances your productivity without causing distractions.
Try ASMR and Noisli
While music can boost your productivity, other noises can be distracting. ASMR videos featuring sounds like towels being folded or whispering can induce relaxation for some.
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For those who find ASMR annoying, Noisli offers an alternative by masking office noises with pleasant sounds like coffee shop murmurs. Both options can help create a more focused and pleasant work environment; you should try them!
Monitor Employee Behavior
Tracking your behavior, like phone usage and building exits, can boost your productivity, according to a study from Dartmouth College. It might seem a bit invasive, but this data helps you identify your strengths and areas for improvement.
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While some prefer a trust-based approach, new tracking technologies are changing how we measure productivity at work. These tools can help you work smarter and enhance your performance.
Go Green
Adding greenery to your office can improve air quality and boost your productivity by 15%, according to a study. Plants create a more pleasant and healthier work environment, enhancing your performance.
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So, consider incorporating a few plants into your workspace to enjoy these productivity benefits and create a more inviting atmosphere.
Your Presentation Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect
Striving for a perfect presentation wastes time and may not be necessary. Client surveys show engagement increases with imperfections and authenticity. So, focus on serving the audience, knowing your material, and practicing.
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Interaction, rapport, and energy positively impact how your presentation is received. So, to make a lasting impression, prioritize authenticity over perfection.
Let Go of the Past
A CRM Learning article states that 80% of work-related conversations focus on past problems, 15% on the present, and only 5% on the future. To improve your productivity and business growth, focus on future events.
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Learn from past performance, but avoid getting stuck there. To do this, create and maintain forward momentum by aiming for future goals and aspirations.
Embrace Cold Emails
Drafting and sending cold emails can be productive. A well-crafted email, GDPR compliant, can win influencer support. But it’s best to show knowledge of the client and genuine care in your content.
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You can commit to emailing five new contacts you’d like to connect with consistently. You’ll be surprised by the positive responses and opportunities that may arise from this!
