Everyone occasionally feels like they’re ‘stuck in a rut’ at work. It’s up to you, however, if you let that feeling stick around, or whether you kick it to the curb and take your productivity to the next level! If you’re looking to improve your performance in the workplace (and, let’s face it, who isn’t?) we have some tips that could help you form better workplace habits and boost your efficiency while at the office!
Tips for Employees:
Have you ever noticed yourself dragging as you walk in the office door? The attitude with which you start the day will influence not only yourself, but your coworkers also. Start your work day off the right way by coming in with a more chipper attitude – you may start a trend in your workplace! There are several methods that you can use to put a smile on your face. Try getting a little more sleep, making sure that you are properly hydrated in the morning, or getting your endorphins going with a little exercise.
Once you’ve arrived and settled in to your work routine, you may find yourself doing certain things just to appear busy. This is a bad habit to be in – your goal at work should always be to complete useful tasks. In today’s work environment, this can be a little difficult to get used to, since many employers value those that appear busy. Just remember that at the end of the day, you will have more to show if you complete your more important tasks in a way that is both timely and high quality.
One great way to improve your work is to break your tasks into smaller chunks. A big project may seem impossible when you look at the entire thing. Next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, try this: break the looming assignment into as many small chunks as you can – the smaller the better. Then, not only will each piece of the puzzle feel more manageable, but you will also get a sense of accomplishment when you make progress!
Again, workplaces nowadays can fall into the trap of wanting workers to look busy, rather than valuing finished products. The problem is that, to get ahead, workers will prioritize working over their mental state. It turns out that workers who are constantly “full steam ahead” aren’t as productive as those who take a few small breaks through the day. So next time you are tempted to work through lunch, make yourself sit in the break room and socialize (or just surf the web at your desk) so that you can refresh your mind and get back to work with increased productivity.
Prioritize your tasks and complete the ones that will create the most value for you and your organization. If you can, hand off the things that don’t matter as much (or that you don’t do well) to others that can help you. Asking for help shouldn’t be viewed as a sign of weakness! Instead, ask for help to encourage collaboration in the workplace, as well as to improve relationships with your coworkers.
It’s also worth noting that many of these tips can be used to be more productive outside of the workplace also. Practice having a good attitude, focusing on completing small tasks, and asking for help anytime you need a boost.
Tips for Business Owners:
The tips above will work for just about any Massachusetts employee. But what about for those of you that own a Boston small business? Because business owners have more control over what happens in their workplace, it’s up to you to create an atmosphere where employees want to succeed. Here are just a few examples of things that you can do to improve your workplace.
First, make sure that you are promoting a workplace that values employee’s quality of work – not just the quantity of work that they do. It also helps to encourage employees to participate in and foster a collaborative atmosphere, where asking for and giving help is encouraged.
As an employer, one of the most critical parts of your job is motivating and appreciating your employees. For some great ideas on employee appreciation, check out our Employee Appreciation Day blog post. You’ve got a lot on your plate as a business owner but taking a few minutes out of your day to recognize good work or notice an employee building better working habits can make a huge improvement in your business’s culture.
If you are a Massachusetts small business owner, you can also motivate your employees through your insurance policy offerings! Many studies say that employees who are offered top of the line health insurance and worker’s compensation policies are more motivated, so call Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency at 617-298-0655 to talk about your business insurance policies – we can help you update your insurance to motivate your employees and therefore improve your business!
