Who isn’t feeling overwhelmed at work these days? From packed schedules to personal life responsibilities, finding the motivation to stay productive at work can be daunting. In the last 10 years, productivity has taken a huge loss in favor of social media and online entertainment breaks. Over 33% of those in the workforce are checking their accounts and apps for at least an hour during their shifts every day! For many, it is a way to escape the boredom and monotony of working a full schedule each week.
Finding the right solutions to tackle productivity problems is key for business and employee success. As the need for engaging mental stimulation rises for staff, finding creative solutions is key to retaining your team. Whether you’re an employee or a CEO, investing in the development of every member means a valuable investment that is rich in results. Implement these strategies to tackle the productivity issues by resolving them at the root causes: boredom, stress and environment.
Step 1: Find What Productivity Means to You
The most frustrating aspect of productivity is in the diversity of the definition. What does it mean to be productive? If you ask a dozen people, their answers will all be different. Working for 7 hours straight without a break or finishing tasks in blocks of time with short rest periods are just two of the endless definitions. Encourage those in the office to share and discuss their ideas of productivity to unite the team and gain insight. Discovering how you see productivity can be a real asset when it comes to scheduling and planning your projects.
With the knowledge of what your needs are when working, it alleviates the stress of expectations. Those who work similar styles can encourage each other, while the strengths of opposing viewpoints will create new conversations around what it means to be successful at work. Team meetings can become more impactful when the unique needs of each person are acknowledged– another benefit to productivity at work.
Step 2: Stress Reducing Activities
Ever felt like you carry the weight of the world on your shoulders? Imagine carrying that throughout your entire day while juggling the endless list of tasks at work. It’s no surprise that mental health and productivity are linked. The Global Benefits Attitudes survey in 2014 uncovered that 30% of Americans are suffering workplace stress (and the number continues to rise). Not only does this statistic exist, but further results indicated a link between workplace stress and productivity, with disengagement sharply rising with the presence of stress.
Incorporate team building activities that are gentle on the mind; a game of Uno or even a quick walk around the building are all simple ways to release stress throughout the day. Yoga was shown to be particularly valuable in work environments due to the mindfulness aspect of gentle movement and a focus on breathing. Simply schedule your stress reducing activities and bring the team together for a relaxing and positive experience. By taking small steps toward boosting psychological health, stress management will become easier and more effective.
Step 3: Redesign Your Office Space with Workspaces
Most startups and modern companies are built on a global audience; employees are located all over the world working remotely. With the rise in technologically savvy workers, the need for a redesign of office spaces is key for the success of future face-to-face interaction. As our separation from home and office decreases, the community aspect of business is lost.
Instead of painstakingly scheduling meetings or conference calls, consider renting an office space, such as ATLAS Workbase. If your employees are based locally, using a workspace can dramatically increase camaraderie and productivity. With open floor plans and plenty of features to encourage communication, it’s designed to improve the environment for all types of work styles.
While distractions and boredom are inescapable elements of employee work rate, using modern techniques can reduce their effects on your company’s success. Trying out fun activities, holding team meetings regarding efficiency, and empowering employees in a workbase environment are all viable options. Wielding the best tools to overcome the barriers of workplace productivity are a matter of implementing new systems and monitoring how they work over time. By encouraging your team to try these strategies, you will see an improvement in workflow, attitudes and morale.
