Seven easy ways to maximise your performance this year

Do you often find it difficult to be productive at work? With the distractions and stresses that modern day life bring, it isn’t surprising that you would. Being productive both in and out of work not only ensures you get more done, but it also boosts mental and physical health. Working a desk job means that you need to make an effort to be productive, active, and healthy in your day-to-day life. Here are some tips to maximise your productivity at work and at home.

1. Get a good night’s sleep

Sleeping well is a key component of productivity. If you are tired at work or in your general life, it is more likely that you won’t get your work done to the best standard, or that you will push priority tasks down your list because you feel unable to tackle them. Aim to get between 7-9 hours of sleep per night, and you will feel alert and motivated for any activity you undertake. 

Read also: Are you doing all that you can to reach your full potential at work?

Read also: Are you sleeping enough to be productive at work?

2. Focus on maintaining a balanced diet

Eating excess processed foods and sugar can not only lead to weight gain, but it can also lead to crashes in energy, and as a result, a lack of productivity. Focus on your health by ensuring that you are fuelling your mind and body with a healthy balanced diet. This will not only leave you feeling more energised, but you will also be more active due to the nutrients you are absorbing.

3. Keep active in and out of work

You don’t need to go to the gym every day to be active, although you shouldn’t rule it out. Aim to have an active lifestyle by making small changes. Start walking or cycling to work, join the gym and go two or three times a week, alternatively, aim to leave the office at lunchtime to walk around. This will also allow you some space to think, which will make you feel healthier and happier as a result. 

4. Take time for yourself

One of the main causes of a lack of productivity is stress. Feeling stressed at work can cause a multitude of problems for professionals. If you feel yourself becoming overwhelmed with the stresses and anxieties of everyday life, make sure you allocate some time to sit and relax. Whether this is through meditation, talking to a friend or family member, or simply taking some time off, it is important to rest as this will boost your productivity when you return to work. 

5. Set achievable goals 

Overloading yourself with too many tasks to complete is the opposite of productivity. Productivity is about working smart and getting tasks done to the best of your ability. Setting yourself unrealistic goals will not only put unneeded pressure on yourself, but it will most likely lead you to make mistakes at work. Set yourself achievable targets for the day and week ahead, that way you can perform tasks in bitesize chunks and begin to tick items off your to-do list. 

6. Work on your skills

Personal development is an important part of productivity. You can be productive in your everyday role, but if you aren’t developing yourself as a professional, then you may regret this in the future if you feel underdeveloped compared to your colleagues. Working on your skills can help you to develop yourself outside of work, and contribute to your over-arching career goals as well. Read an industry-specific book, or subscribe to a magazine to keep up with industry news. This way, you’ll be able to gain more insight into your work and develop your career at the same time. 

7. Organise your workload

During busy periods at work, it can be easy to find yourself bogged-down with tasks you need to do. This can be stressful and detrimental to your productivity. Organise your work into a list, and detail all of your tasks, including how long it will take you to complete them. You will then be able to process exactly what you need to do and prioritise accordingly. This will boost productivity in the workplace.

Discover more practical tips and tricks around your job search in our advice section.