I think everyone has problems at work. In particular, I think there are many team leaders who are wondering if they can improve their work efficiency.
- I haven’t finished the work I was supposed to do today.
- You’ve put in the effort to do it, but it doesn’t last.
- I’m doing all these things, but I’m not efficient.
But when I look around at my peers and surroundings, I see that some people are doing just fine. If you have any of these experiences or worries, I’d like to share with you some habits that can improve your work efficiency, as well as some characteristics of people who are good at their jobs and those who are not.
Characteristics of People Who Can’t Get Their Work Done
You work hard every day, but your work doesn’t go as smoothly as you would like. The following are some of the characteristics of such people. If you feel that your work is not progressing as expected, please check if any of the following characteristics apply to you.
I’m distracted by things other than work.
here are people who think they are doing their best, but are actually distracted by things other than work.
Smartphones
hecking your smartphone. Some of you may be curious to see if there are any new messages or posts from someone else.
It’s unfortunate, but no matter how hard we try, it’s hard for any of us to concentrate when we keep doing this kind of checking over and over again. If you are glancing at the screen of your smartphone, it means that your mind is on something more enjoyable than the work in front of you.
Just before you enter the office, put your smartphone in the back of your bag. It’s important to keep them on your person and out of reach during work.
Work at the same time
When you see someone working on multiple tasks at the same time, you may be tempted to do the same. However, in reality, it is not possible to do multiple tasks at the same time.
On the contrary, it tends to make it difficult to concentrate on each task, and time tends to fly by and you end up halfway through all of them.
Not listening to what is being said at meetings and conferences
There are people who do not listen to what is being said even when they are participating in a meeting. It is easy to fall into the trap of overhearing or not understanding the purpose of the meeting, and end up backtracking.
You think that if you concentrate, you can get the job done.
It’s a mistake to think that you can do your job if you concentrate. No matter how hard you try to improve your concentration, only a few people can triple or quadruple it.
In the first place, it is not easy to control your own concentration. Therefore, it is important to know when and how you can improve your concentration rather than thinking that you can do your work by concentrating on your own.
Only people who are not able to work as much as they would like tend to try to concentrate during the hours that make them sleepy. Some people also neglect to do the necessary preparation to concentrate. In order to concentrate on your work, you need to prepare ahead of time.
Prepare materials in a place where you can easily access them. Find the information you need on the Internet and prepare for it. It is only when you are well-prepared that you can concentrate on your work. You can’t concentrate on your main work if you’re looking for materials and information everywhere while working.
You can’t improve your skills because your hands are full with work.
Many people who have their hands full with their work are too tired to spend time learning new skills and how to work more efficiently.
If you can’t improve your skills, it will be difficult to get your current job done efficiently, and you don’t know what your position will be in three or five years.
Even in the midst of a busy schedule, it is necessary to take advantage of holidays and other time off to allow yourself time to grow. A small difference in the way you spend your time can make a big difference in your personal growth. In the near future, when AI and IoT are introduced into the workplace, you will be able to work with peace of mind, so don’t be overwhelmed by the work you have to do.
Characteristics of people who are good at their jobs
Next, let’s take a look at the characteristics of people who are good at their jobs. People who are good at their jobs don’t always look busy. If you look at them from a distance, you will get the strong impression that they are always working with plenty of time to spare.
Decide when to concentrate.
This is a characteristic of people who are good at their work. This is because they know how to concentrate. In particular, they know the time of day and the environment in which they can concentrate, and they create a state in which they can concentrate on their own, thereby improving their ability to concentrate on their work.
For example, they don’t answer their smartphones or phone calls at a certain time in the morning. I also check my e-mail at certain times and don’t look at it at other times. Naturally, I shut off social networking sites during the times when I need to concentrate. I also tend to keep away from interesting smartphone apps. This may take courage for those who are used to always checking their phones, emails, and social networking sites and replying to them immediately.
However, if you tell them in advance that you won’t be replying in the morning, it won’t be a problem. Also, it is unlikely that you will have to wait until the afternoon, so the hurdle should be lower than you think.
Have time to do nothing.
It’s important to have time to do nothing. It’s the same with work. If you are concentrating on your work, you should have time to relax and not do anything after work. Rather than using your brain playing smartphone games on the train home, you need to take a break to enjoy the scenery.
Another good idea is to take a short walk, enjoy your favorite music, or use mindfulness to feel the present moment.
Completely relaxing your mind and body after using them intensively will help you to fully concentrate tomorrow.
Choose your work environment.
People who are good at their work choose their environment. If you want to concentrate on your work, you probably choose a quiet place. You can’t concentrate on your work in a noisy environment or an environment where people are talking on the phone.
Knowing what kind of environment puts you in work mode will make it easier for you to get things done.
3 Habits to Improve Your Work Efficiency
Let’s take a look at the habits you need to improve your work efficiency.
By keeping these three habits in mind, you will be able to take control of your work, rather than being overwhelmed by it.
Identify your tasks for the week
At the beginning of the week, try to identify your tasks for the week. Once you have identified your tasks for the week, you will know how much time and preparation you will need to complete each task. Once you have identified the tasks for the week, you will know how much time and preparation you need to complete each task, and you will know when to start preparing and when to start working.
At this point, you won’t have to think about “how to proceed” every time you work. Also, when people around you ask, “When do you think it will be ready? you will be able to answer clearly. Get into the habit of thinking about how to allocate your time during the week, rather than just doing the work that comes before you.
Do not multitask.
Decide not to multitask. You may feel like you can do it, but the reality is that you are only using a little bit of your time for each task, so your work efficiency will never be high. Instead, focus on what you know you will do today by identifying your tasks for the week.
Concentrating on this will increase your work efficiency and the quality of your work. It will also reduce the number of minor mistakes, which will reduce rework and make your work go more smoothly.
Make a list of what not to do
Many people make a “to do” list. Many people make a list of things to do, but not many people make a list of things not to do. However, it is very important to make a list of what not to do. This is because when you decide what not to do, you will start to feel refreshed, just like a body that has lost some of its flab.
- Don’t answer the phone between 9:00 and 11:00.
- Don’t accept any sudden tasks during the day
- I don’t look at social media during work hours.
Make a list of all the things you will not do. It will help you to focus and exert yourself.
Conclusion
People who are good at their jobs are the ones who have developed habits that improve their work efficiency. There is no flashy performance, so it is hard for people around you to notice, but they are creating an environment and situation where they can maximize their power by steadily implementing habits. By referring to the contents of this article, you too can make a “do not do list” and find a situation to focus on.
