Stay on task with these 5 productivity tips

September 5, 2024 3:38 PM

Employees want to be productive at work, they just don't always know how.

Workplace productivity is declining at its fastest rate in 75 years, according to data compiled by workplace insights platform Statista. On average, Americans lose one hour and 18 minutes each day due to distractions — nearly 340 hours of productivity lost annually. At the same time, workers are the unhappiest they've been in four years, according to software company BambooHR, with job satisfaction dropping 8% since 2019.

"We've suffered through some difficult times and productivity has understandably declined," says Yaroslav Kologryvov, co-founder and chief business development officer of computer support service PLATMA. "As the quality and quantity of our work decreases, we push ourselves to do more, but working late and canceling vacations is no solution. Burnout catches up to us all eventually."

Some of the key drivers behind productivity loss, according to Kologryvov, are underinvestment in talent, wage stagnation, talent gaps putting pressure on the few who can do the job, economic turbulence, the aftermath of the pandemic, the housing crisis, political instability, war and energy shortages. All of those instances are fueling chronic stress and fatigue which subsequently stunts employees' ability to be present and engaged at their jobs.

"Often, employees just need to learn how to prioritize tasks and manage their time effectively, focusing on what matters most," he says. "By getting urgent tasks out of the way and recognizing when it's time to take a break, you'll be less stressed, more motivated — and far better at getting through your workload."

See what other advice Kologryvov has for those struggling to stay productive:

Block your time and stick to a schedule

"There are only so many hours in the day, so use them wisely. Many successful entrepreneurs swear by the Eisenhower Matrix, where tasks are divided based on whether they're important, unimportant, urgent or not urgent. You need to block time off on your calendar, set your Slack status to unavailable, and shut yourself away to focus on the tasks that matter most — and when last-minute meetings and unexpected requests inevitably arise, say no."

Make your meetings asynchronous

"The average business leader spends 20 hours weekly in meetings, with two-thirds admitting it drains productivity. Thankfully, it's no longer necessary to meet face-to-face or even in real-time. There's a growing trend towards asynchronous meetings that rely on digital tools, such as messaging apps and collaboration platforms, to communicate and collaborate when convenient. Without constantly pausing to pick up another call, you will remain in your flow state and tackle your to-do list in no time."

Make full use of automation

"Much of an entrepreneur's time isn't spent inventing and innovating, but performing routine tasks vital to keeping the business running smoothly. While artificial intelligence isn't yet ready to run the workforce, it's entirely possible to automate basic tasks such as inventory management, data processing and customer service. Plus, with the rise of no-code platforms, it's often just a case of typing out what you want, plugging in the application, and letting automation do its job — leaving you to focus on yours."

Reduce your hours and book a vacation

"While many famous CEOs swear you need to work every waking hour to reach the top, it isn't sustainable. Burnout catches up to everyone, especially early-stage entrepreneurs who take on the role of an entire team. While working less may seem counterproductive, more hours typically means less output. It's estimated that those who work 40 hours are a third more productive than those who work 60 hours, so value your downtime and book a vacation while you're at it."

Eliminate distractions — both physical and digital

"It goes without saying: You need to set up your environment for success. A quiet, clutter-free workspace, free from distractions, will help you enter your flow state and stay there. However, the modern workplace also has its fair share of digital distractions. When you need to get on, put your phone away, silence your inbox, and consider installing distraction-blocking software to limit access to the apps and websites that take your attention away from work."