Increase Productivity the Easy Way

With computers being the fulcrum of almost all business these days, many of us find ourselves spending more and more hours of the day staring at a computer screen.  Regardless of the profession, staring at the computer screen for too long can be an arduous and inspiration-sapping experience.  Whether you’re coding, designing, writing, or handling email, everyone gets a little bleary eyed and run down after a long stint at the keyboard.

Here are some easy things I like to do to beat that “tunnel vision” and keep my mind on track and productive.

Make your work space interesting!  If you’re stuck in a cubicle, you know what I mean.  Working in a bland grey-and-white area is, in my opinion, one of the biggest detriments to productivity and inspiration. Adorn the walls and your desk with anything to break the monotony and give yourself something to look at when you’re thinking.  An empty grey wall isn’t very helpful when coming up with a creative fix or a new idea.  As I write this, I’m visiting family and am sitting on a patio in my mother’s garden.  Nothing could be more inspiring.  Although we might not all have a garden to sit in, that doesn’t mean you can’t make your work area more fun to be in.

Make yourself comfortable.  Several things can contribute to a crick in the neck.  Make sure your monitor is in a position that is easy to look at.  Try and get a comfortable chair.  I know that the fancy chairs can be pricey, but they are worth it!  Ergonomics may sound like just another buzz word that office supply companies slap on items they want to sell, but there is truth to it.  Another small but effective step you can take to make yourself more comfortable is the position of your keyboard.  Too far away and your arms are stretched out, too close, and you feel like you’re in a sardine can.

Don’t work on one thing too long.  Unless you’re working on a high-priority job that can’t wait, try switching from project to project to keep things fresh.  Working on a single thing for too long can give you tunnel-vision.  Moving from project to project can help you keep a broad view, and sometimes you can even get ideas for one project while working on another.  You might even try reading a blog, like ours here at WHB for instance =).

The next one is a popular one.  Get up and move around!  I like to say smoke breaks aren’t just for smokers. Sometimes getting up, getting a drink or snack, and stepping outside for a minute to get some fresh air can be just what the doctor ordered when you’re stuck on a pesky problem.  Set a timer or alarm to remind you to do this, it can prevent small mistakes due to “screen fatigue,” and make your work more interesting.

Set small goals.  If you’re pulling an all-nighter and burning the midnight oil, it can be detrimental to look at the final result as your goal.  Set smaller goals that are easily attainable so you can see your progress better.  Try rewarding yourself with a break when you reach a small goal, to give yourself more incentive to get things done.

Talk to someone!  Sometimes outside influence can be the mother of great ideas.  Try running your work by a co-worker and getting their input on it.  If you work from home, try consulting a spouse or child about what you’re doing.  Sometimes they can provide valuable insight because they aren’t as involved in the project as you are and have a fresh perspective.  When I’m writing, I like to have someone else read over my work if I’m stuck because they haven’t been working on it for 2 hours, and I have.

Well, I hope you readers can find these ideas helpful, and I hope they make you a happier and more productive worker bee!  If you have anything you like to do to break up the monotony of the day, comment away!