Image Source: Ecstatic Mark
We all want to be productive and maximize our work hours, but did you know you could be unwittingly sabotaging yourself with habits you think are productive, but actually aren’t?
Our brains are amazing and funny things – they can actually trick us into believing the exact opposite of the truth quite easily. This is probably what happened when you adopted these habits, somewhere along the way your brain actually convinced you that what you are doing is beneficial.
Lucky for you habits are easily changeable, if you are able to recognize the problem and take steps to correct it. So break the cycle and regain control of your productivity by nixing these big time wasters where you can.
Email is quickly becoming a problem for businesses. That’s why you should stop checking your email.
Statistically, you receive an average of 147 messages daily, and spend more than 2.5 hours a day on email. And that’s per user! Resolve to stop checking your email, or at the very least control when and how you check it.
And whatever you do, don’t leave your email program up all day. Every time you receive a new email, a notification appears, interrupting you. Do yourself a favor and keep your email closed unless you’re actually using it.
Online Activity
Unfocused online activity can be a real productivity drain. It is one thing to use the internet for research, but when you find yourself mindlessly clicking from on page to the next, or wasting large amounts of time online, then it’s time to close the browser window and step away from the internet.
If your online habit is particularly heavy, you can always schedule your online time by using internet blockers. Internet blockers give you the ability to block a particular web page, and/or block out internet usage for a scheduled period of time.
Here’s a list of internet blockers which may be helpful to you.
Interruptions
Every worker, from the owner on down, should aim to get into “the zone” when working. This is where you are the most focused and productive. This is where the magic happens, and great things are accomplished.
However, once in the zone, even the smallest interruption can completely derail you. Then, it will take you 30 minute or more to get back into the swing of things.
This is why it’s important to try to minimize your interruptions if you want to make the most of your day. Shut your door, put your phone on Do Not Disturb, close your email, or work away from the office if you have to.
Find ways to actively reduce your interruptions and your productivity will soar.
These are just three of the ways you are sabotaging your own productivity. By working to eliminate one or more of these problems, you should find more time in your day to accomplish the
things that really matter.
The second half of this post will be released on Friday March 23, so stay tuned.
Have you already banned one of these bad habits? Leave us a comment telling us how it helped you.
Julie Strier is a freelance writer who is interested in helping you sit better and work easier. Email: [email protected]. Website: www.mybusinesswriter.com.
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