5 proven steps to boost productivity and reduce stress
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 21, 2012
Contact: Elizabeth Hall, Senior Web Editor
(800) 543-2055 (703) 905-8000
editor@BusinessManagementDaily.com
5 Proven Steps to Boost Productivity and Reduce Stress
Falls Church, Va. — According to a Lexamark International study, 92% of studied respondents say they make or take work-related communications outside of the office, including during vacations. Like most people in corporate America, there never seems to be enough hours in the day to complete tasks, leaving employees the options of either burning the midnight oil or infringing on ‘personal time’ with work projects. While one can’t create more hours in the day, there are effective ways to use that time more wisely. Discover better, proven and efficient tips to increase productivity and decrease stress.
According to Business Management Daily’s Senior Web Editor, Elizabeth Hall, “When it comes to boosting productivity, you want to make every hour count, so you plan your day in 15-minute chunks and prioritize your tasks accordingly. However, there’s a caveat: Although that’s smart time management, it doesn’t guarantee you’ll work productively.”
Hall adds, “So to make sure your time is best spent, you’ll operate most efficiently if you banish aimless anxieties and the urge to procrastinate.”
Here are the 5 proven tips that Hall suggests for increased business productivity:
1. Confront, Don’t Complain. There’s a time and a place to vent your frustrations. But if you deplete precious time during the workday by dropping what you’re doing and talking about your irritations, you’ll dig yourself in even deeper. If you’re annoyed at a co-worker, don’t complain to whoever happens to walk into your office. That’s unproductive. Instead, speak directly to the person with whom you’re upset. This saves time and reduces the spread of ill will.
2. Block Out Some “Worry Time.” If you grow anxious thinking about all the work that awaits you, reserve blocks of time to indulge yourself in worry. Don’t let these thoughts creep into the rest of your day—or you may wind up worrying about a job rather than doing it.
3. Get It Down. Have a pen and paper ready and list your anxieties, numbering them in order of importance. This exercise will help you clear your head—and maybe even reprioritize your tasks—so that you can return to work free of mental distractions.
4. Anticipate First, Reflect Later. If you make a high-profile mistake, you may feel compelled to dissect what happened in excruciating detail. You can do that on your own time, but don’t waste the work day analyzing or justifying your decisions.
5. ‘POP’: Plan, Organize, Prepare. Plan ahead using solid project management skills. Make sure you map out milestones on your timeline and anticipate ample turnaround time for deliverables and deadlines. Organize your notes, tasks and workload. Prepare for projects, such as fact gathering, logistics or calling hard-to-reach project stakeholders.
Hall concludes, “These are simple, proven tactics that can help you prioritize tasks and anxieties … and stop you from working in constant crisis mode.”
For more information on boosting productivity in the workplace and to download the free report, 10 Time Management Tips: A how-to guide on efficiently managing your time through effective delegating, calendar management and using productivity tools, visit www.BusinessManagementDaily.com.
About Business Management Daily
Business Management Daily provides plain-English, actionable news, information and tips to busy professionals in the areas of human resources, leadership, management, administrative skills, office technology, employment law, tax and more. Subscribe to our free e-newsletters and download our free reports. ‘Like’ us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter at @BizDaily.
-END-
