The 9 to 5 work grind is really not a life that anybody would choose to live. It’s become a cultural norm of society today. How does it seem natural for a person to work a minimum of 40 hours a week to maybe make enough money to make a house payment and go on vacation one every couple of years? Many can’t even afford that.
The reality of the matter is that many people work far more than 40 hours a week. The average person actually works 47 hours a week…and that doesn’t include the people working hours that are not accounted for on the clock or the paycheck. It’s a weird paradigm. Especially considering the fact that there is a lot of wasted time at work. That time could be much better used taking care of things that actually matter in life.
How does this problem get solved? It will take attention in many different areas. All you can do is worry about the time spent on your end. Here are the most effective ways to make your work week more productive:
Opt Out on Meetings
If a meeting isn’t mandatory, it’s best that you skip it. Meetings are the biggest time waster for people in the workplace environment. There is always that smarty pants that purposefully asks stupid questions to delay having to get back to work. For those who have to get stuff done, it’s a major annoyance.
If meetings are unavoidable, suggest to your boss that they either send out an email or conduct meetings one on one when issues needed to be ironed out. The entire office doesn’t need to get sucked into a meeting talking about something everybody knows can be traced down to a couple of individuals.
Set a Timer and Then Take a Break
If you’re on a time crunch, the best thing you can do for yourself is keep focused. That’s easier said than done. For starters, bring in earplugs, or some noise cancelling headphones. Stick them in your ears, set a timer for however long you think you can work for without needing a break, then once the timer times out, take a break.
The break is important. It helps you recoup and get the blood flowing again. Use the restroom, do some jumping jacks, grab something to eat or drink, do whatever it is that stirs your creative juices, and get back on the grind.
Focus on the Task at Hand
You’ll be amazed at how much time you save when you focus on one task at a time. You might think you’re great at multitasking, but it’s been scientifically proven that multitasking isn’t possible. Your brain literally has to switch gears every time you change tasks. This results in a ridiculous amount of wasted time. Just get the work done. Once you’re done, you can then check your email or listen to music. It’s that simple.