You can recognise an engaged employee by, among other things, their energy and productivity. But that productivity can be held back without anyone wanting it or noticing. Then it is not a matter of engagement, but of work stress or of habits and circumstances that undermine your productivity. If you know what they are, you can do something about them. In this article: the nine biggest productivity killers at work.
1. Constantly checking your email
Perhaps you recognise it: you look at your inbox (too) often. Every interruption costs more time than you think. Research by Gloria Mark of the University of California shows that after an interruption, people need about 23 minutes on average to return to their original task. Mark et al. And people who are interrupted often work faster to make up for it, but experience more stress and time pressure as a result. Mark et al.
So limit email to a few fixed moments a day. In an experiment by Kostadin Kushlev and Elizabeth Dunn, people who checked their email three times a day experienced clearly less stress than when they checked it as often as they liked. Kushlev & Dunn
2. Browse the internet in your own time
The same goes for social media and websites that have nothing to do with your work. Before you know it, you have spent half an hour scrolling through useless facts, or you are in a discussion under a post that you regret later. Turn off notifications and put your phone out of reach when you want to work with focus.
3. Poor time management
One of the biggest productivity killers is managing your time badly. You have just got into your work and are interrupted by yet another meeting. Your concentration is gone and afterwards you have to get going again. So bundle meetings as much as possible, so you also keep long blocks in which you can work undisturbed. Plan your hardest work for the time of day when you have the most energy.
4. Your calendar is your best friend
Plan your work in your calendar and stick to it. That way you keep track of what you have done and what still needs doing. Don't plan too much, because that backfires. Do you work on a lot of projects? Then set a goal in advance and work towards it with a clear step-by-step plan.
5. Multitasking doesn't make you more productive
Many people think they are good at multitasking, but it is disappointing. Researchers Jason Watson and David Strayer had 200 people drive in a simulator while doing a difficult memory and arithmetic task at the same time. Only 2.5% of them performed as well on two tasks at once as on one task. Watson & Strayer So chances are you are not one of them. Simply do one thing at a time.
6. Poor IT
A computer that doesn't do what you want or a faltering internet connection: few things are as frustrating and cost as much time. As an employer, make sure equipment and connections are in order. It is a small investment that quickly pays for itself.
7. Annoying colleagues
Almost everyone has one: a colleague who keeps asking about the smallest things, or disturbs you at exactly the wrong moment. Should you ignore them all day? No. You can't assume they know they are disturbing you as long as you don't say anything. So start the conversation and set clear boundaries. Who knows, you may grow closer precisely because you know where you stand with each other.
8. Lifting weights lifts your mind
We can't say it often enough: moving is healthy. If you sit behind your desk all day, make sure you also get moving during your working day. The Health Council of the Netherlands advises adults to do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week and to avoid long periods of sitting. Sport en bewegen in cijfers Exercise, walk around the block or take the stairs instead of the lift. You will find more ideas in 8 tips to move enough in a desk job.
9. Good sleepers aren't slackers
A bit of a cliché, but just like moving, very important and easy to apply. A well-rested person is much more productive than a sleepyhead, and sleeping well is also important for your general health. Go to bed on time, limit your screen time in the evening and stop snoozing, however nice it is.
Do you recognise these productivity killers? With these relatively simple tips you can boost your productivity considerably. What do you do to work more productively?
