In every workplace, there’s always a go-getter, able to finish a usually hour-long task in 30 minutes or so. As people who want to achieve beyond our capabilities but lacking the skill set to do so, this might seem frustrating. However, did you know the supposed “skillset” is nothing but habits formed by your efficient co-workers for months? Knowing them is a step closer to becoming faster and more effective in the workplace, but doing them consistently is another discussion entirely. Are you willing to form these habits for longer than a couple of years?
By reading these habits, you’ll discover they aren’t just tips to be effective in a static workplace. These habits can also prove to be effective even when you’re working on the go (check it out) or working from home. Though some companies have opened their offices for working on-site, there are still those who choose to keep their workers safe from the ongoing pandemic. Although this sudden change is not so recent, adjusting to either a mobile or static workplace has been difficult for most. By forming these habits, though, you have a bigger chance to thrive in any situation.
Habit #1: Knowing How To Prioritize Tasks
There is a theory in workplace efficiency called MIT (Most Important Tasks), in which every given day in the office is one big to-do list. This to-do list can be littered with both smaller and bigger tasks, but knowing which ones have the greatest importance or those with the shortest time limit can be a big breakthrough when you’re facing a streak of missed deadlines. Going through the virtual list in chronological order or based on your mood or availability can prove to be the most inefficient way of crossing out daily tasks.
Not using the MIT theory can also expose you to tendencies of procrastination. It’s easy to pick off easier tasks, especially when you feel confident in your abilities, but nine times out of 10, it ends up in piled work and missed deadlines. To add, doing important tasks first, when you’re rejuvenated and feeling in tip-top shape, can result in tasks not only done on time but also done very well.
Habit #2: Master Deep Work
Deep work is a term used for tasks that need intense concentration and focus in order to finish. Some tasks bore us out so much that we need podcasts, music, or any other distraction just to finish it without falling asleep. Difficult tasks rarely fall into categories that don’t require deep work.
However, just because these tasks aren’t a daily thing doesn’t mean you get a pass to skip out on cultivating deep work. Mastering this technique can help you do better in even smaller tasks, thus increasing both your efficiency and productivity.
Deep work requires an environment where there are scant opportunities to distract you, meaning music and social media are off-limits for the time being. The concept of Deep Work is anchored on the fact that distractions can break someone’s groove easily and result in unproductivity. More specifically, it can take someone almost 30 minutes (link: https://karbonhq.com/resources/what-is-deep-work-and-why-is-it-so-important/) to recover from a distraction, no matter how short the interruption is. This takes away a lot of time where someone could have finished the task if the interruption didn’t exist in the first place.
To pursue this concept, set up a routine. This means you schedule a part of your day to dedicate to deep work. Discover when you are most attentive, motivated, and enthusiastic, and schedule your deep work right around that time. If it’s during the first hour of work, turn off your phone and close the email tab in your computer during that time and make sure your co-workers know you’re unavailable to bother during that hour.
Habit #3: Develop Self-Care And A Proper Diet
Do you notice that you only sacrifice your lunch break when work piles up or when you decide to procrastinate? You might think this is of no consequence, but not eating on time or not eating well can have devastating effects on your productivity as well. Self-care is important if you want to perform well during the day, which is why a supplement like CBD capsules, a healthy diet, and regular exercise should be part of your daily routine. But how does CBD connect to the picture?
Cannabidiol is not the same as marijuana, as it doesn’t get you high nor be the cause of addiction if used every day. It’s popular for pain management and anxiety-related symptoms, but did you know CBD can also help you achieve a clear head and assist you in focusing better and for longer? There’s a reason why this compound is used by those having panic or anxiety attacks.
Habit #4: Always Have A Plan B
Being confident in your capabilities is a must, but it doesn’t mean having a plan B implies otherwise. Sometimes, things don’t go the way you want them to, or some inevitable circumstance happens, leaving you panicking because you didn’t anticipate it. Having a plan B is a habit made for the 1% chance that things are going to screw up for you. It’s going to save you a lot of stress and unnecessary time-wasting in figuring out the next step.
Habit #5: Keep Your Mind Sharp
An axe used every day will ultimately lose its sharpness at some point unless you take the time to sharpen it each day before you cut down those logs. This proverbial axe can also be attributed to our minds.
Read books that inspire or relate to your field of work. Even if you think they’re just theories on paper, knowing a theory and finding ways to apply, it is better than having no idea about anything at all.
