Read more about Tech
Use the Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique is an approach which involves working for short time spans interspersed with breaks. For example, you could work for intervals of 25 minutes followed by 5-minute breaks. This has many advantages. It lets you recover some of the energy you expend while working and enables you to manage longer tasks while maintaining a decent quality of output all through.Utilize Keyboard Shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts let you execute tasks certain tasks faster. If you know how to use the right combination of keys, you could get a lot more done in less time. Over the long term, they will save you a significant amount of time. To see some of these shortcuts, read our article, 10 Keyboard Shortcuts that Can Help to Boost Your Productivity.Prioritize Tasks
It’s always a good idea to attend to the most pressing tasks first. But it’s not always clear what the most important assignments are—at least not at first glance. We recommend that you use the Priority Matrix. In this method of prioritizing work, you’ll place outstanding tasks on segments of a quadrant. They will be classified as one of these four: urgent/important, important/not urgent, urgent/not important, and neither. Tackle assignments in this order.Place Similar Tasks in a Batch
Another of our favourite productivity hacks is to work in batches of similar tasks. Switching between dissimilar assignments can be tedious and disorienting. If you devote your time to clearing a backlog of work in the same category, you’ll find it easier to complete them. This approach is best taken for repetitive tasks.Sign up for the Connect Nigeria daily newsletter
Remove Distractions
Your digital devices may be a source of distraction as you try to get things done. Notifications are a big culprit in this regard. To eliminate the disruption to your workflow that they may cause, make sure to turn off non-essential notifications. You could also set your phone to silent mode or ‘do not disturb’. If you have to check your device, designate specific times between work sprints for checking social media and other messages. Find more tips for improving your focus at work HERE.Embrace Cloud Tools
Cloud tools offer great support for real-time work and communication. With them, you can collaborate with colleagues and partners on a project no matter how dispersed they are. From file storage to simultaneous document edits, project management and conference calls, cloud technologies make working as a team a lot easier than it otherwise has been.Use Two Monitors
You may have performed tasks that required you to switch between multiple apps. At such times, you probably wished there was a way to have those applications open at the same time. You can do that with two monitors. Having two monitors expands your workspace, letting you track work on multiple screens at once. This should give you a decent productivity boost.Use Speech-To-Text Software
You might get tired of typing on your keyboard after doing so for a long while. If this happens, you could turn to speech-to-text software for help. This type of software transcribes your speech into text, allowing you to dictate your emails and text documents instead of typing them.Register to attend the CN Business Mixer
Final Words
The productivity hacks we’ve shared here can help you improve the quality of your work, as well as the efficiency with which it’s done. Apply them starting today, and watch your productivity hit new highs.Featured Image Source: AhSuite Blog
Got a suggestion? Contact us: editor@connectnigeria.com