There’s no way around it – people are creatures of habit. When it comes to routines at work, positive habits can translate to success, while negative habits can result in a decline in results over time. So, what’s the best way to set up daily routines that boost productivity and reduce complacency?
Our recommendation: start with your work environment. As with any change, it’s best to start with small, accomplishable tasks. This Valentine’s Day, fall in love with these 5 tips for a more organized and productive workspace:
- Use two monitors
You know what they say, two monitors are better than one. Rather than toggling between 20 open internet tabs, use two monitors in tandem to virtually spread out your working space. You will be able to quickly glance at two documents at once, dramatically reducing the time it takes to complete tasks that require more than one resource. According to Jon Peddie Research, adding an extra monitor will increase productivity by 20 to 30 percent.
- Go electronic
Less physical files will automatically help put your mind at ease. Figure out which files absolutely have to be kept in physical form – perhaps important contracts and receipts – and take the rest digital. Plus, keeping files in electronic form means more ease of sharing. Google Drive, for example, allows multiple users to gain access to the same documents and make edits in real time.
- Declutter often
In general, organization benefits our personal wellbeing. When it comes to maintaining an organized workspace, this positive mental wellbeing ultimately translates to increased productivity. Setting aside time to regularly reset your workspace will in turn help reset your focus. Spend ten minutes every morning organizing your desk space and removing anything that doesn’t absolutely need to be there. Schedule one day a month with yourself to really deep clean. When you do, you’ll feel at ease the rest of the days you’re at your workspace!
- Know your workflow
Are you someone who concentrates better with headphones in? Could you benefit from setting a time limit for tasks or switching between tasks regularly? Are you most productive in the morning? Getting a sense of your personal workflow style will help you be more productive, and therefore more successful, over time. Not everyone works at the same pace, so give yourself the room to consider what works best for you and don’t be afraid to ask for it.
- Switch up your location
Feng Shui, the ancient custom of arranging items in their best possible locations and positions, has historically been used as guidelines for optimizing day-to-day practices. Like Feng Shui for your brain, changing up your location in the office during different points of the day will help boost creativity, productivity and general mental wellness. Along the same lines, don’t forget to take breaks, especially between tedious tasks.
Are you a manager seeking additional ways to facilitate increased employee productivity? See our recent blog, and let us know any additional ideas you have!
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