Creative Ways to Get More Productive at Work

It may seem counterintuitive, but taking a small break and stepping away from your desk may help you become more productive at work. Studies have shown that we become less productive and more fatigued the longer we are at a task. Get your blood flowing and your brain firing on all cylinders by incorporating these creative ways into your workday.

Plan & Prioritize

Set a time to look at your upcoming commitments and deadlines. Prioritize what you must do, what you need to do and what you want to do. Keep in mind that prioritizing your to-do list takes time and effort. Make it a date with yourself and incorporate it into your routine at a time when you aren’t pressed for time.

Create a Routine

Set yourself up for success by creating routines throughout your day. From when you check and respond to emails to when you take a break, routines help you create a specific time for each common action throughout the day. When you know that you have set aside time for responding to emails, taking breaks or eating lunch, that allows you to focus on the task at hand at other points in your day.

Escape Your Desk

Step away from the desk and explore another part of your office. This could be as simple as finding a quiet bathroom on the other side of the office, reading a magazine in the break room or even taking a short walk outside. The important thing is to allow your mind time to wander and regroup. If you find yourself extremely stressed, try listening to a short, guided meditation in the comfort and privacy of your car. Even 5 to 10 minutes of meditation and relaxation will help increase your productivity immensely.

Make Your List

When you start feeling swamped and feel like you’re losing track of your tasks, sit down and write a to-do list. Be sure to throw in some items that you’ve already accomplished so you have something to cross off right away. Also, add in some items that you can complete quickly. Seeing this will help jump start your motivation and keep you on track to finishing out the day without fear that you’ll forget something important.

Meetings on the Move

There are times when meetings must be had in a room with a white board and access to technology. However, there are plenty of times when a meeting could benefit from being on the move. Major companies, such as LinkedIn and Google, now encourage their employees to hold meetings while walking around the campus. They find that it encourages productivity and makes employees feel more comfortable addressing their managers.

Just remember, meetings on the move are more ideal for brainstorming and problem solving than disciplinary meetings or performance reviews.

While we all have days that seem to drag on forever or where we feel like the work piles up faster than we can get it done, there are ways you can overcome the stress and increase productivity. All it takes is for you to slow down, focus on the task at hand and give yourself a break—no matter how silly you think it is, do it for your productivity.