Maximizing Your Productivity at Work

Calling all workaholics! Here are some tips that may help increase your productivity at work.

1. Keep away from falling into the trap of interruptions. Our phones connect us to the world; unfortunately they can distract us a great deal from our work too. Leave your phone on voice mail during times that you have to work on a project with a deadline. If you have an office, by all means, keep the door shut. As an important person, you may even want to go to the lengths of putting a "Do Not Disturb" sign just until you get your tasks done. However, if you still find yourself being interrupted - simply keep it short and stay task-oriented.

2. Schedule time to make phone calls and emails. Whenever you have to leave a message with a client, let them know the times that you're available to talk so as not to have them catch you at a bad time. Also, ask them to do the same. This will save you both time and it will save you from the trouble of dealing with phone tagging. Also, avoid checking your voice mail and email every minute. Just like with making phone calls, set a schedule for it.

4. Appreciate your chosen work method statement. We all have different ways of going about our work, and we all have different ways of organizing things. But embracing improved organizational skills will only make us even better employees and bosses. Keep in mind though that organizing things should make it easier for us at the workplace, it should never burden us.

4. Plan breaks throughout the day. With all that work, make sure you get breaks from time to time. Overexerting yourself will only keep you from working efficiently. Get out of the office, get some fresh air, and grab a bite to eat or give your loved one a call. This will keep your mind off work even for just a second. To motivate you to work better and faster, treat these breaks as your rewards for a job well done.

5. Stick to your work method statement. Often times, we end up breaking our own rules. Spontaneity may be good at social gatherings, but at the workplace, it's all about working on a schedule. Once you've come up with a good way to manage your work, stick with it. Only you can make sure that you stay on track.