5 TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY

Many people are reluctant to admit that time management is one of their weaknesses in the workplace. However, if you fall in this category, the good news is that you’re not alone. A variety of studies have shown that workers all over the world struggle with time management – particularly when the work begins to pile up.

According to the Wall Street Journal, “Fifty-eight percent of managers in the U.S. report working more than 40 hours a week.” However a 2014 study from Stanford University found that productivity per hour declines sharply when the work week exceeds 50 hours. Both of these studies reveal a heavy need for individuals and companies to re-evaluate their time management techniques in an effort to create a manageable work-life balance.

We’re here to help you do just that. Here are five time management techniques you can implement each day to improve productivity, both during and outside of work.

1. Make a proper daily to-do list.Write your to-do list the night before – this will allow you to go into the work day with clarification and direction.

   As you compile your daily goals, consider following the advice of Inc.com and keep the list to three Most Important Tasks or fewer. Cluttering your list with other small, less-urgent tasks only causes more stress and distraction from the major ones.

2. Manage and organize your email to avoid an email avalanche.Set up rules and folders in your inbox to organize email by priority level. A lot of email providers now do this automatically, but keep an eye on your entire inbox to ensure that important emails aren’t getting lost in the shuffle.
3. Turn off email and social media notifications when you really need to focus on getting a task done.This is the age of social media and instant gratification. You may be used to checking that Facebook notification or email alert as soon as it pops up, but turning off these distractions can help you keep focused on the task at hand and increase your overall productivity.
4. Utilize the Pomodoro Technique.A University of Illinois study showed that, contrary to popular belief, being stuck at your desk for long hours actually reduces your productivity level. However, regular short breaks actually allow you to keep focused and re-energized.

   The Pomodoro Technique is very simple in nature – work in 25-minute increments and then take a 5-minute break. After you have completed that cycle four times, take a longer break (15-20 minutes) to re-charge. Numerous studies have shown that this is an effective method in increasing productivity.

5. Get sleep and exercise.This should go without saying. Sleep and exercise allow your body to maximize both energy and focus. Both of these are a necessity when it comes to successful time management and productivity.

These days, distractions are everywhere. Time management and productivity are much harder to achieve, which is detrimental to the work-life balance. However, a few minimal changes can make a big impact on your day-to-day accomplishments.

To learn more about how Conduit can help your company improve time management and productivity – and to receive a free demonstration – contact our full-service agency today.