In the United States, only 33% of employees feel engaged at work. Indifferent, dissatisfied, and hunting for other jobs describe the rest.
As if that’s not enough, these negative emotions are also racking up huge costs — up to $550 billion every year!
That doesn’t even include the costs of lost productivity due to back pain. Consider this: Every year, lower back pain costs the U.S. $100 billion. Productivity and wage losses account for two-thirds of that.
But we hard workers aren’t without hope. There are plenty of different ways to boost productivity at work and get our juices flowing.
Ready to feel super satisfied before going to, while at, and after work? Then let’s get right into it!
1. Boost Productivity Early by Not Skipping Breakfast
Nutritionist Adelle Davis was right all along when she said we all should “breakfast like a king”. Many studies already proved how important breakfast is for energy and metabolism. In fact, researchers found this meal should make up 15% to 25% of our daily energy nutritional sources.
Of course, what you eat and how much of it matters, as overindulging can leave you uncomfortable. That discomfort arises from the food expanding your stomach to more than its normal size. It’ll also make you feel tired, sluggish, or even sleepy.
Stick to breakfast foods like protein-rich eggs and whole grain bread. Oatmeal also fills you up and gives your body good carbs to turn into energy. Leafy greens, fruits, and yogurt will complete your meal.
By making it a habit not to skip breakfast before heading off to work, you’ll enjoy higher levels of energy. More energy means higher productivity at work. Plus, it’ll help cut your unhealthy caloric intake throughout the day.
2. Make a To-Do List (And Stick to It)
And also stick it on your cubicle wall, behind your computer, or anywhere you’ll always see it. This’ll remind you of your priorities and act as a sort of warning when you’re about to watch videos of cats and dogs.
3. Watch Videos of Cats and Dogs
Science says cat videos are good for you because seeing these cute creatures can boost your mood. That can then help reduce stress, which can help you focus more while working.
Better yet, your workplace may actually have cats and dogs around, which is now a thing. After all, pets in the workplace, especially dogs, can provide social support. There’s empirical evidence that dogs also help boost performance and productivity.
Of course, you should watch these videos on your break and not use them as a reason to procrastinate. You may want to include this activity in your to-do list, so you’ll have something to look forward to at work.
4. Track Your Work Time
Tracking your work time — from the time you clock in to the time you leave — can help you be more productive at work. There are apps that exist to do exactly that.
But how do they help increase productivity?
First, it’ll boost your spirits knowing that you’re not late for work, so you won’t be all stressed out. That’s already a form of accomplishment, which can make you feel good about the rest of the day. Those positive feelings can help reinforce your goal of staying on top of your daily to-do list.
It also lets you manage your time better, since you’ll know how much time you’ve spent on a certain task. Which you should do, as it tells you whether you’re spending too much (or too less) time on projects. If your time tracker tells you you’ve already extended work for an hour, time to sit up straight and be more focused.
These apps also warn you of possible distractions (which is why you likely had to extend time on a project). There are only a few things that can wake you up faster than seeing actual numbers of hours and minutes have gone by.
There are plenty of other benefits of time tracking, and you can read more here about them.
5. Set an Alarm
Pair up your time tracker with an alarm telling you to take a break. To be more specific, an alarm for a 17-minute break after 52 minutes of dedicated work. According to a study, that’s how the most productive people stay productive at work.
You can also use the 5-minute break rule for every 25 minutes of dedicated work time. Either way, you need these breaks to avoid overworking your brain, which can lead to loss of focus.
6. Stick to One Task at a Time
Multitasking is a huge productivity drainer, and psychologists attest to that. This not only extends the time you need to complete tasks, but also increases risks of errors.
So, avoid writing a report, talking on the phone, and glancing at another screen at the same time. Stick to one task and finish that before moving on to your next to-do.
Knowing you’ve accomplished something also brings positive vibes. These positive emotions can make focusing on and completing another task more doable.
7. Start the Day with Easier Tasks
Speaking of tasks, try completing smaller tasks early in the day before moving on to a big project. Say a major project will take you four hours to finish. If you have 30-minute tasks due the same day, start with these first.
This way, you’ve already accomplished a lot even before the lunch bell rings. After taking a breather during lunch, you’re ready to take on that huge project. This also helps you avoid multitasking, since you’re already done with the mini tasks.
Get More (and Smarter) Work Done with These Productivity Boosters
Higher work productivity doesn’t mean you should be typing away all day in front of your computer. In fact, that’s counterproductive, as sitting too much hurts your health. So, get up, stand up, stretch, take a breather, and follow these techniques to boost productivity at work!
And here’s a final tip from us: Make sure you also master the tricks to keeping stress levels down. Give your mental health a boost whether at work or at home with these tips we have!