If you have been feeling disengaged and unproductive in the workplace since the start of the year, you may need to switch up your work habits and daily routines. In order to achieve your goals, objectives and make better use of your time during a nine-to-five office shift, here are three ways you can avoid burning out.
Manage productivity
A report by the US government found that office workers are only productive for around three hours every day, so it is a good idea to plan peaks and troughs so that you use your most energetic minutes on crucial tasks. Maybe put email responses and general admin back to when you are not feeling right on the top of your game.
The report found that time can also be wasted on social media and interruptions from other workers. To make the most out of your working day, set clear goals for the upcoming hour and try to give yourself a reward – either a break or a light snack – after completing them.
A cycle of work, then rest, and then back to work and a managed schedule of tasks can cut down on procrastination and really help to channel your energies into the most productive aspects of your work at the right time.
Get the right tools
Mobile phone usage is often centred on superfluous apps, even during working hours. To optimise your screen time, put social media platforms in a folder away from your home screen and instead fire up time and productivity apps, as well as a few team collaboration tools, some of which can sync to your work-based desktop.
This is also a good time to streamline work machines by uninstalling programs that are no longer used regularly, updating any important software, and rearranging icons and shortcuts so that you can get to everything you need quickly and easily.
Take back control
Finally, another way to drive productivity is by asking your manager if you can have greater autonomy over core work tasks. Productivity expert Robby Slaughter says that taking ownership of more work-related activities actually leads to better management of time and resources. When workers are less engaged or are on the periphery, they are more likely to gravitate towards downtime.
By making a few changes to your working day, you’ll find that you avoid burning out and you’re able to take back control over your time and productivity.
