What is productivity and how to increase it

Productivity is an important factor in any business or organization as well as in personal success. In this article, we will define productivity and explain how to increase it. Explore our top tips and stay productive.

Productivity definition

What is productivity? Productivity is defined as the ratio of output to input which can be applied to all areas of our lives. It is a measure of how efficiently resources are used to produce goods and services. It is a key factor in economic growth and is often used to measure the success of a business or organization.

Productivity is also an essential factor in personal success, as it can help individuals achieve their goals and objectives.

What are the kinds of productivity and how to measure it

There are several different types of productivity such as labor, capital, material, and total factor productivity. While productivity is important in all aspects of life where results are required or where people want to succeed, it is probably considered most vital in the work environment.

Productivity can be measured in terms of output per unit of time. This is a measure of how much output is produced in a given period of time. It is calculated by dividing the total output of a business or organization by the total amount of time spent on the task.

If we speak about overall measure of your productivity at work – it means being able to dedicate time to specific tasks, completing them and ending your workday with a quality output.

How to increase productivity

Maintaining a high level of productivity is not intuitive or easy – but you don’t have to resign yourself to feeling discouraged and depleted at the end of every workday. Increasing your productivity requires a combination of planning, organization, and discipline.

Here are 12 productivity tips which can help you.

1. Set clear and realistic goals

Define SMART goals for yourself: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Make sure you have a plan of action for how to accomplish them. This will provide clarity and direction to your efforts.

2. Manage your time effectively

Plan your day, allocate time blocks for different activities, and avoid multitasking. Set realistic deadlines to complete tasks and prepare a list of the required resources.

3. Prioritize tasks

Identify the most important and urgent tasks, make sure that you focus on completing them first, and don’t get distracted by less important ones.

4. Break tasks into smaller steps

Large tasks can be overwhelming, so break them down into smaller, manageable steps. This will make them more approachable and help you make progress consistently.

5. Take breaks

Allow yourself short breaks to recharge, refocus and avoid burnout. Research suggests that taking regular breaks can actually improve focus and productivity in the long run.

6. Eliminate distractions

Distractions can be a major obstacle on the way to increase productivity at work. Identify and eliminate or minimize time-wasters that hinder your productivity. This may include turning off notifications, creating a dedicated workspace, or using website blockers.

7. Use productivity software

Various types of productivity software can be a great help in the mission to increase productivity. Make sure to find tools that work for you. Explore 15 best productivity apps

To improve time management, use Pomodoro trackers like Pomodor, MarinaraTimer, Forest, Toggl Track, etc. which can help you stay focused and finish tasks effectively.

Try Eisenhower Matrix or Priority Matrix to organize and prioritize tasks by urgency and importance.

Clear and concise communication can save time and prevent misunderstandings. Use email templates, project management software like Asana, Trello, Monday.com, collaboration platforms and tools like Zoom, Jitsi, Slack, and others to streamline communication.

To eliminate chaos when working with online documents, try ONLYOFFICE DocSpace. The platform is intended to improve document collaboration with various people you need to interact with every day such as your colleagues, teammates, customers, partners, etc.

With ONLYOFFICE DocSpace, you can create rooms with a clear structure entirely according to your needs and project goals and define from the start the required roles and rights that will henceforth apply to all the files stored within these rooms. Such an approach ensures quick file sharing and allows avoiding unnecessary repeated actions.

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8. Track your progress

Create a system for keeping track of your progress to adjust your goals and strategies accordingly and stay on top of tasks.

9. Delegate tasks

Among further ways to increase productivity is delegating tasks. Keep in mind to delegate tasks to people who are qualified and capable of completing them.

10. Take care of yourself

Don’t forget about your physical and mental health. Get enough sleep, eat healthy, go for a walk and exercise regularly.

11. Continuously learn and improve

Stay updated with the latest tools, techniques, and best practices in your field. Invest time in learning and skill development to enhance your productivity over time.

12. Reward yourself

Rewarding yourself is important to increase productivity. Set aside time each day to reward yourself for completing tasks and achieving goals.