Do you know what the average American employee is doing at work?
According to a recent survey, they’re checking their phone every 12 minutes.
It’s no surprise then that nearly half of employees are miserable in their jobs because of how disconnected they feel from the office environment.
In response to these findings, we’ve put together 7 ways your startup can increase productivity and get more out of its limited resources:
Create a to-do list for the day
At the start of each day, create a list of tasks that you have to complete during the day.
To create a good task list, I suggest using either Notion, TickTick, or Asana.
Here is a simple task list that I created using the TickTick app:
As you can see, it is very simple, but that is all it needs to be, because then I know exactly what I need to do every single day.
However, my favourite way to create a task list, is to use Notion.
For team task management, you can also use Asana.
Read more: The Best Productivity Tools for Entrepreneurs & Startup Founders
Establish office hours and stick to them
If you are employed, your employer will give you set working hours.
For example, if you work 9-5, make sure that you go home or finish working at 5.
Don’t work past your set hours, unless you are doing over time.
Owning a company gives you a unique opportunity of setting your own hours.
If you are self employed it is likely that you will be swamped with work, but it is important that you don’t over work yourself.
Working more than you need to will make you less productive the next day, and will make you lose interest in your work overtime.
Freshen Up Your Workspace
Did you know that your surroundings impact your productivity levels?
Whether you are working at home, or in an office, you want your workspace to be optimal for working.
Take some time to make sure that your working environment is perfect for working in.
Here are several things you can do to make your workspace more productive:
Get a plant
A plant will bring more life and colour into your workspace and will brighten your day.
Put your desk near a window
If you are able to do this, I highly recommend it. It will give you fresh air, daylight, and a nice view, which will promote productivity.
Keep your space clean
A clear desk is a clear mind. If you keep your desk and the surrounding area clean, you will be giving yourself more freedom to think.
Personalise your space
Doing this will make you feel more relaxed in your environment, so that you can focus on your work without being stressed.
Get a better chair
Being comfortable, and having a good posture will stop you from getting a repetitive strain injury if you are working at a desk.
The Pomodoro Technique
This is a time management technique developed by Francesco Cirillo in the 1980s.
There are 5 simple steps to this technique.
- Pick the task that you want to complete
- Set a 25 minute timer
- Work on the task until the timer rings
- When the timer rings take a 3-5 minute break
- Every 4 Pomodoros, take a 15-30 minute break
I also suggest exercising or stretching during the breaks to stay healthy while working.
Take regular breaks from work & get fresh air
If you work at a desk, it is crucial that you take regular breaks for exercise.
Taking breaks will allow you to keep focused and alert.
If you are constantly working with no breaks, you will lose focus and energy.
Getting fresh air will also help to keep your brain active.
Eat healthy snacks to keep you focused
You might not know this, but your brainpower, productivity and motivation can be significantly impacted just by eating the right foods.
If you have not been productive or motivated at work lately, you should try to change your diet.
Have fruit or energy bars during the day to keep you focused and energised.
Here are 5 superfoods that will increase productivity:
- Berries
- Dark Chocolate
- Eggs
- Nuts
- Avocados
These are simple foods that you should try if you want to increase your productivity at work.
Listen to productivity boosting music
For some people, having the right type of music on in the background will boost your productivity.
It might not work for you, but I think you should try it out and see if it helps.
You could search for “productivity music” on YouTube, or find a productivity playlist on Spotify.
Here is a Spotify playlist that I recommend.
Once you have started to add these productivity boosting techniques to your daily routine, you will see the positive impact.
Further reading: 6 Lifestyle Habits of Successful People
