If that summer slump has you feeling sluggish at work, you’re not on your own. Research shows that 25% of office workers feel their productivity decreased in the summer time.
Increasingly studies show that productivity is not about the amount of hours you put in, but it’s the way you spend those hours that determines your success. So we’re here with a few ideas to show you how to ramp things up a little and get more tasks ticked off, without sacrificing your sanity.
1. Take breaks.
It may seem counter-intuitive, but research shows that short breaks during big projects can increase creativity, concentration levels and memory. The problem for us is letting those breaks stretch too long… *glances at watch 5 episodes of Queer Eye later*.
Productivity apps like Pomodoro tell us to set a timer for 25 minutes and not letting anything interrupt that time. Once your timer goes off, have a quick break – a cuppa, a chat, a walk (stay away from the boxsets!). Then get back to it. Simple!
Taking more breaks also encourages us to split larger tasks into bitesize chunks, making them easier and less daunting to complete!
2. Eat The Frog.
Writer Mark Twain once said, “If it's your job to eat a frog, it's best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it's your job to eat two frogs, it's best to eat the biggest one first.” So the instruction is simple, got a big job you’re dreading? Get it out of the way. Do it first thing and you’ll be in a better headspace for the rest of the day. Studies also show you’re less likely to get interrupted first thing.
3. The Two Minute Rule.
Another approach that’s popular all over the world in start-ups and established companies alike is the Two Minute Rule. Got a task on your to-do list that’ll take less than two mins? Get. It. Done. Scratching off to-dos makes us happy and motivates us to conquer the rest.
4. Consider where and when.
It doesn’t take a genius to work out that sitting at a desk between the hours of 9am and 5pm from Monday to Friday isn’t everyone’s ideal working environment. People work best at different times of day and in different locations, so if you have the freedom to, try structuring your tasks around when you work best.
If your colleague requests a meeting on a hazy, warm afternoon and your struggling to keep your eyes open, why not ask if you can move it outside? Or walk and talk to get some blood pumping!
5. Get more sleep.
According to a recent study, adults who regularly get between 7.5 and 9 hours of sleep a night are up to 20% more productive at work. As if we needed more reasons to crawl under the duvet!
