Uncertainty in 2022
There is no doubt that we are living in very uncertain times. We’ve heard the term “new normal” more times than we can count, and honestly no one knows exactly what that means anymore. Many employees are hovering between working from home and working in the office and the Omicron variant is proving to cause many more months of uncertainty. So, if you feel like you are having trouble with productivity right now, you are not alone. Listed below are tips to help you accomplish your work goals regardless of where your office is!
Productivity Tips
- Make a List: This sounds like a simple step, but creating a to-do list is one of the best ways to keep yourself on track. You can either make a weekly to-do list on Sunday evenings, or make a list every night for what you’d like to accomplish the following day. Remember to break down large projects into smaller tasks and keep all your goals attainable. The more frequently you can check-off your accomplishments, the more motivated and productive you will be.
- Take Breaks: This may sound counterproductive, but when you are under an extreme amount of stress, frequent breaks help prevent burnout as well as help you maintain your focus and productivity. Research shows that the harder and longer you press yourself to be productive, the less productive overall you’ll be. For the best results, researchers at the University of Melbourne suggest taking active breaks where you move around, stretch or preferably take a short walk out in nature.
- Set Boundaries: Setting boundaries for yourself is one of the best possible ways to help you stay productive. While separating home and work life can be challenging especially for remote workers. That is why it is crucial that you set aside dedicated time to take care of yourself and your needs, the needs of your family or household, and of course, your professional responsibilities. A great way to help do this is by deciding on expectations and communicating them to others, either at home or in the office.
- Use Technology to Your Advantage: The tools are in our pockets and on our desks to help us; we just have to use them the right way. For example, use your phone to set alarms to remind you to take breaks or pause to eat a healthy lunch. There are even apps you can download to set a work and break routine. You can dig deeper into your phone and computer settings and have “do not disturb” turn on at certain hours to help you avoid checking work emails or Slack notifications after work hours.
- Monitor Your Media Time: After a long day of work, it is easy to chose “relaxing” activities such as scrolling social media or turning on the TV. Try to be conscious of your media use, though, and choose to spend quality time with family, taking up a new hobby, exercising or relaxing with a good book!
For more information on staying productive during these uncertain times, click here!
