In the business world it’s not a question of what you’ve done, it’s what you’ve done
lately. With the calendar now turned over to 2019, you may find yourself wondering, “How do I build on what I accomplished last year?” Well, fear not, because Trustmark is here with six productivity tips that are sure to give you a boost as we kick off the new year.
- Rearrange your desk
Take a look at your desk. It probably looks a lot like it did in 2018. If you’re doing things the same, you’re going to get the same results. True, it’s just a desk, but if you want to start making changes, it never hurts to start small. So, rearrange your desk space to give it a different look and feel. You might even come across some notes or files you stowed away which could generate new ideas. At the very least, you’ll have a fresh perspective and that’s a great start.
- Shorten your to-do list
With your desk in order, it’s time to tackle your to-do list. Whether it’s a mental list, a digital one or you’ve got it written down, take a second and run through it. Which items on your list are essential to meeting your goals? What might you be able to delegate? Successful people sometimes have a tendency to try and take on everything but, oftentimes, you can do more by doing less. Try to shorten your to-do list and focus yourself where you’re most needed this year.
- Bite the bullet
When going through your to-do list, is there one item that makes you internally groan? Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. Make it a point to bite the bullet and work on that not-so-fun item on your list
first. Getting the weight of that task off your mind will free you up to be more present throughout the workday and will keep you from procrastinating.
- Change notification settings on your phone
Most people haven an almost Pavlovian response to their phone lighting up. They look down, they reach for their phone and, inevitably, they get distracted. A quick, easy way to avoid this is to change the notification settings on your phone. Decide what’s truly essential and then turn off notifications for everything else. The fewer times your phone buzzes, the fewer times you’re going to be distracted or lose your train of thought.
- Schedule time for yourself
It’s counterintuitive, but our next piece of advice for maximizing productivity is to not work at all. More accurately, set aside time for yourself where you’re not working. Research continues to show that overworking has a negative impact on your health and on your company’s bottom line.
1 More work doesn’t always translate to more output, so one of the best things you can do is be well-rested, alert, engaged and healthy. That starts with making time for yourself. So, whether it’s a vacation, making time for exercise, or blocking off your calendar so that you can leave at a reasonable time, take a minute to schedule that time now.
- Make it a habit
We won’t tell you to rearrange your desk every day, but we will encourage you to take some of these tidbits and make them a habit. Whether it’s pruning your to-do list down to what’s essential, taking time for yourself, or always tackling the hardest items first, you can make 2019 more productive by establishing some of these good habits early on.
The New Year can mean new possibilities and new expectations for you at work. With a few small changes, you can be ready to meet those challenges head on for a more productive, fulfilling 2019.
1 The Research is Clear: Long Hours Backfire for People and for Companies. August, 2015. Harvard Business Review.
