Are you looking for a new way to level up your workplace productivity, but you’re stumped by the sheer number of options vying for your attention?
With so many different methods, tools and gadgets designed to help the modern professional maximize their productivity, finding a solution seems like yet another item on an ever-growing to-do list. To help you reclaim your time and become more effective, we’ve got a few productivity tips to power up the efficiency in your work.
First things first
Be sure to understand the “why” of your organization. Aligning your goals and priorities with your team and organization means success looks the same for everyone and helps get buy-in from all parties for your new workflow.
At Paycom, we prioritize client service in everything we do, whether that client is an external organization or another team within our organization. Learning how to arrange your workflow in line with these priorities also adds meaning to your work.
Identify your responsibilities and how they fit into the existing system
Before you begin implementing any productivity tips, it’s important that you know how you contribute to your organization.
What do you need to get done during a day, a week or a month? Knowing the specific tasks you must perform is the first step in overhauling your productivity. From there, get an understanding of your organization’s workflow so you identify your place within it, taking into account the needs and expectations of those around you.
We also recommend taking an inventory of the resources you have at your disposal. There’s no need to reinvent your process if simple adjustments with readily available tools can have a positive impact in your workflow.
Place a premium on your time
Understanding how and when different tasks are consuming time on your schedule is a first step in pointing yourself toward the activities that really make a difference in your work. Here are a few ways to do more with this finite resource.
- One task at a time. Multitasking may not be as efficient it seems. According to one study, more than two-thirds of employees say they waste an hour each day just switching between apps! Prioritize your tasks into time blocks so you can focus on them individually for better results.
- Consider how you communicate. In collaborative efforts, communication is essential, but make sure you’re using the most effective channel for any given task. Sometimes email is best, but other times in-person meetings are essential. Consider the workflow and time required to maximize the effectiveness of your interactions.
- Start early! Procrastination adds pressure to the process, and why would you want to make suffering part of your daily routine? Avoid putting off tasks and you’ll avoid that last-minute deadline stress.
- Take a hike. Or at least stand up and take a walk. For employees at Paycom offices in Oklahoma City and Grapevine, Texas, open green spaces and on-site fitness centers offer fun ways to step away from work and get the blood flowing.
Find a mentor
The advice and perspective of an experienced colleague can be an invaluable guide as you improve the way you work. Their insights can help you identify potential pitfalls, and they may even have some tips and tricks that they’ve found particularly useful for improving workflow efficiency.
Pick a system
There’s no shortage of options when it comes to choosing a productivity method. Perhaps you’ve been hearing a lot about SMART goals or your social media has been awash in posts about Getting Things Done. Maybe you even have a colleague who prefers to Eat That Frog.
Each system has its pros and cons, but don’t succumb to decision fatigue while searching for the perfect solution. After all, your goal is to get to work!
Any system is better than no system at all, and no matter which productivity method you choose, there’s bound to be some fine-tuning as you make it part of your workflow. If you see a system that seems like it might work, just dive in and give it a try! You always have the ability to evaluate your new system over time, figuring out what works and what doesn’t and either adjusting or revamping accordingly.
Looking to join a team where an organized workflow contributes to the organization’s purpose? Apply to Paycom today!
