Companies with engaged employees have 21% greater profitability than those that don’t. This is why it’s important to not only hire dedicated people but to be one yourself. If you’re not committed to your company’s mission and growth, you’re likely with the wrong company.
Beyond dedication and hard work, there are plenty of other ways to increase productivity at your company. Without knowing it, you could be misusing (or not using!) vital systems and technology. This is unnecessary because there are so many ways technology can improve your productivity.
Want to know what they are? Follow these tips for productivity to figure out how to get more done using technology!
Try Time Tracking and Management Tools
If you work the traditional nine to five office hours, you spend eight hours at work with one hour for lunch. Do you know how many of those hours are productive and can you improve on this figure?
You 100% can by using time tracking and management tech. Harvest is an app that employers can use to track their employee’s working time. But if you want a time tracking app for yourself, try Toggl Track.
For those who struggle with procrastination, use a timer tool to help you stick to The Pomodoro Technique. To follow this technique, work in 25-minute blocks where you focus on only one task. At the end of the 25 minutes, you take a five-minute break.
After you’ve completed four 25-minute blocks, take a longer break of around 15 to 20 minutes. The timer will help you stay on track.
Use Productivity Tools Specific to Your Job
No matter what field you work in, there are lots of apps and programs that are specific to your field. This software can not only make your job easier but can increase productivity too.
If you need tech job productivity, there are plenty of tools for developers to help you write code and manage databases. If you are self-employed, there are financial tools you can use to file your business taxes quicker and easier. And if you are a teacher, there are math tools that can help you write and solve equations too.
Install Software to Block Distractions
One of the best ways to increase productivity is to limit your distractions while working. It might seem like there is no escape from new emails, notifications, and phone calls. But there is if you have the right technological tools.
Apps like Canary Mail will only let urgent and important emails into your inbox. And if you use Gmail, it now has a setting that will let you pause your inbox to allow you to tackle what is already in there first.
The Focus app can stop you from accessing social media and certain websites for a specified period. It can even cut off the internet if you need to hit a deadline and you don’t need to go online to complete it.
Only Use Tools From One Digital Workspace
Do you use Gmail for email, Dropbox for cloud storage, and iCal for your diary? If so, there is no integration between these pieces of software! You likely spend too much time downloading, uploading, copying, and pasting between each program.
Overhaul your sharing and communication tools by sticking to one digital workspace. It’s up to you whether that’s the Google Workspace, Apple Business Essentials, Microsoft 365, or an alternative.
This makes it easier (and quicker) to copy meeting invitations from an email to your calendar. It’s also easier to attach photos from your smartphone to an email and so many other small functions. You will only realize how unproductive your previous system was when you start using a new one.
Create Collaborative Digital Task Lists
To create a productive plan for your day, you need to create daily to-do lists. The best way to write them is by using online note-taking or task apps like Asana or Evernote. Asana, in particular, is a program that will enable you to write your task lists and see your team’s task lists too.
This will make communication much more productive within offices. You will always know what everyone is working on and what everyone is about to work on.
It will allow you to see potential slip-ups much sooner. For example, if you thought Kristie was working on the monthly analytics report but it’s not on her task list, you can find out why. And you’re more likely to find out way before the project is due so you can rectify the mistake.
Invest in New Software and Hardware
There is a popular quote that states, “a man is only as good as his tools.” And though nothing can take away someone’s skills, they can only put their skills into practice with the right tools. Plumbers still need a wrench if they want to use their knowledge to fix a leaky sink.
Its also true for anyone that needs to use technology to fulfill their work commitments. If a graphic designer doesn’t have the best design software, they cannot produce quality work in a reasonable timeframe. And if a video editor has an old computer, they won’t have enough power to export a video.
Update your technology whenever your tools start to impede your productivity. If time is money, it’s worth the investment.
Use Technology to Switch off and Take Breaks
Everyone thinks productivity is about working smarter, not harder. And it is, but it’s also about managing your time and taking breaks so you don’t burn out. It’s difficult to be productive if you have to take sick days.
But you can also use technology to help you switch off. You can use guided meditation apps to help you relax and destress. These apps can also help you sleep if you struggle with insomnia.
Don’t Delay! Increase Productivity Today
It’s impossible to be productive 100% of the time. But there are ways to increase productivity so that you produce more (and better) work in the same hours. And now you know how much technology can help, you have no excuses not to be super productive no matter what you’re working on.
There are so many ways to improve your performance at work beyond productivity. Browse our business and education articles for more ideas and advice!
