5 Ways to Improve Your Work Performance

The Lowdown

Stress, constant distractions and interruptions, poor time management skills, exhaustion … these are just a few of the things that can greatly hinder your workflow, which in turn can negatively affect the quality of your work output.

Luckily, there are a number of ways you can improve your productivity levels – and subsequently your work performance – for the better.

What You Can Do

To improve your work performance, consider incorporating the following five methods:

1. Limit Distractions

A lack of focus can seriously hinder your output, especially if you have important, urgent tasks that need to be completed sooner than later. That’s why it’s imperative that you try to limit, avoid or eliminate as many distractions as possible.

For example, if you’re working from home or another remote location, choose a dedicated area that’s spacious and quiet enough to help ease you into a focused mindset. Make it clear to your spouse and/or children about your working hours and what they can/cannot do during that time.

If there’s background noise, consider using noise-cancelling headphones; on the other hand, listening to music while working has been shown to improve one’s mood, provide motivation and help one to concentrate on the tasks at hand.

Cellphones also manage to pull our attention away from our current projects and activities. Practise putting your phone on silent mode or storing it away in your desk drawer so that you don’t give into the temptation to check it every minute or so.

2. Keep Your Workspace Clean and Organised

Picture this scenario: you have an important report to hand in to your manager. However, it’s lost amid piles of paperwork, pens and coffee cups strewn across your desk. Disregarding your other tasks, you spend the next five or so minutes trying to find the report, misplacing other important documents all the while. At the same time, your anxiety is mounting and your manager is likely growing impatient having to wait for you.

A messy workspace can result in stress, loss of organisation, frustration and inefficiency. When it starts becoming cluttered, clean and organise your workspace as soon as possible. Dust your desk, file your documents into stackable letter trays, take your used mugs to the kitchen, and put your stationery in their correct places when you’re done using them.

As for your hardware, clean your PC’s screen and keyboard regularly, and shut it down when not in use. When working on your PC, organise your files into folders; practise having at least nine tabs open to boost your device’s performance (and lessen the number of distractions); finally, perform regular disk clean-ups to remove files that take up too much space. 

3. Refrain From Multitasking

Most people view multitasking as an important skill. However, while being able to perform two or more tasks at once can increase your efficiency and improve your ability to work under pressure, it can also impact the quality of your output. For example, if you prioritise supervising your team-members and completing minor administrative tasks over an important project, you’re liable to make mistakes by not giving that project your undivided attention.

Instead of working on multiple tasks at once, dedicate yourself to one project at a time within a certain timeframe. For example, spend one hour working on your report, then dedicate 30 minutes to writing and responding to emails, etc.

If there are tasks that you’re unable to complete and/or take on immediately, speak to your manager or supervisor to discuss a solution. This may involve your current/new assignments being delegated to your colleagues so that you can focus on your workload, or perhaps you will be permitted to complete these at a later date.

4. Time Management is Key

It’s easy to put off tasks, assignments and projects if these are only due in several days or weeks. That’s why it’s important to use this time to plan ahead so that you can minimise stress and uncertainty.

Create a timeline for each deadline. Once this is done, you’ll be able to calculate how much time you can dedicate to each one. For example, if your first project is due in a week, set aside two hours each day to work on it; if your second project is due at the end of the month, set aside 15-30 minutes a day to focus on it, etc.

Break your projects into small chunks. That way, they feel manageable and thus easier to accomplish. Don’t forget to take a break and reward yourself each time you finish a chunk of work – it helps you to keep self-motivated, inspired and anxiety-free!

5. Take Care of Your Health

Good health results in peak work performance, which in turn can lead to success. However, if you spend too much time working, you’re at risk of burnout.

Burnout can decrease your productivity, which could have negative consequences on your output. What’s more, it can have severe effects on your physical and mental well-being such as fatigue, depression, heart disease and high blood pressure, all of which can lead to a reduced quality of life.

Don’t spread yourself too thin – at the end of the day, it’s not worth risking your health or your career growth. Take some time out of your schedule to go on a walk, partake in an exercise session at the gym, meditate or grab a coffee at your favourite cafe. As a result, you’ll feel more relaxed and focused on the task at hand.

Refresh, Refocus, Reward

By following these methods, improving your work performance will feel less daunting and more manageable. Practise each method accordingly, and you will see the difference – and a positive one at that – in due time!