How to create a productive workspace
The working class is migrating to a mindset of working smarter and not harder. With developments in technology and readily available information on the most productive workspace setups, the working class of the twenty-first century is in a strong position to be the most productive working class in history. Everybody can do their part to allow themselves to work smarter and to be more productive. We spend up to 80% of our lives working. To make work easier, it makes sense to be in an environment that will allow us to work productively.
There are a few simple ways to create a more productive workspace. Below are some tips that you can follow to improve your productivity.
Have a productive office desk
The office desk will be your primary command station. The desk should allow you to have easy access to all of the tools, stationery and storage needs in order to fulfil your working task requirements. Invest in an office desk that will help to keep things organized and that will allow you to transition smoothly into your workflow tasks. More importantly, your workstation needs to facilitate productivity and reduce distractions.
Have an ergonometric chair
Invest in a chair that will support your back, neck and body and that will seat you in the right position to maximize your work productivity. You need to ensure that you maintain good health at your workstation by maintaining good posture and a good seating arrangement that will reduce any risk to your health.
Create a distraction free zone
When you are working, it is easy to get distracted. And distractions have the largest impact on work productivity. Distractions come in a wide range of forms. Be sure to look out for the following.
• Visual distractions such as televisions
• Audio distractions such as the music or the radio
• Distractions from work colleagues that prefer to chat and socialize rather than doing any work.
• Turn off any social media distractions such as Facebook, Twitter or Instagram notifications.
• Pop-up distractions such as email notifications, mobile phone notifications and unnecessary phone calls.
Set goals with your task list
You need to be disciplined with setting goals that you can achieve with your work. Set a list of tasks that need to be completed within a timeframe (a day, week, month, etc.) and stick to it. Ensure that you deliver the work by the deadline. Delays to deadlines or procrastination is unproductive.
Learn how to prioritise
Whenever you are working, there will always be tasks that will keep you busy, and that will be important. Learn how to prioritise between what is ‘important’ and the other task that is ‘important’. You can prioritise these by assessing the financial value that the task will have on the company. For example, if I don’t do this task, how much will it cost the company? Or alternatively, ask if you do this task, then how much will you make the company? Then prioritise the tasks accordingly.
Be organized!
Businesses lose a lot of time and productivity by not being organized. Much of this is down to filing and administrative tasks, as well as investing in tools and processes that will improve the scalability of the required tasks. Organise your office’s filing and storage systems so that you know where everything is. Seek to invest in tools such as collaborative software, accounting and bookkeeping software or other technological tools that can aid with the productivity in your business.
Don't multitask.
While it may seem like you are being more productive, you are actually making yourself busier and it is negatively impacting the productivity that you would be making if you were focusing on a single task. When you are in the position to delegate, do so to further improve the scalability of the tasks and to achieve more in less time. If you are working alone, then do one task and complete it well before moving onto the next task.
These are just a few tips that you can use to create a more productive workspace and to thrive in your working environment. Start rewarding your working efforts and productivity potential by setting up your ideal working environment today.