Updated January 17, 2022 Show
In this article, you will learn the top 3 ways how to immediately improve your work performance and reach a higher quality of output. We also collected other 18 proven ways that you can use to boost your performance. For leaders, we collected 9 tips on how they can help you become a lot more productive, check it out, and share it with your supervisor or HR team. At the end, you will find 7 great books that are definitely worth a read if you desire to take your work efforts to a whole new level. Discover:
Top 3 ways to improve work performance1. Limit distractionsAccording to Udemy In Depth: 2018 Workplace Distraction Report: Most workers (84%) estimate they’re able to refocus completely within around half an hour after they were initially distracted. The impact of workplace distractions according to Udemy are:
Those statistics look pretty bad for performance, there is little surprise as with access to the internet and notifications coming through to our phones from friends and family around the clock, it is easy to get distracted and temporarily postpone work. While that isn’t an issue, it may become the reason for a lowered performance rate if it happens too often due to additional stress. And so, in order to achieve great work-related results and keep yourself focused throughout the working hours, you need to understand where lucrative distractions come from and limit your exposure to them. Actionable tips:
2. Split your tasks into milestonesWhen working on a big project, the single best thing you can do in order to ensure that you aren’t falling behind schedule and are performing at a high level is to break down your tasks into small and easily achievable milestones with appropriate time frames. This way, you will know exactly what needs to be done and the date that it needs to be completed by so the overall project is put together by the set deadline. Actionable tips:
3. Stop multitasking, prioritize your workMultitasking at work is not uncommon. If you work in a busy agency, for example, it is not rare for you to handle communications with potential clients, talk with different contractors, handle and check work from freelancers while doing your actual job on top of that. While you may be thinking that this way you actually get more work done, what you are doing is really impacting not only your level of output for your actual job but also the quality. According to the article “Executive control of cognitive processes in task switching”, multitasking can lead to a 40% reduction in productivity. Actionable tips:
Other 18 areas of improvement at work4. Improve your time managementWhen starting work on a new project, allocating your time properly is everything. Since you only work an average of 40 hours per week, you don’t have a whole lot of time to waste on a project since they will all have deadlines that need to be met. So, if your work performance is not something that you can be proud of, if you work on your time management, you will see a great improvement in productivity at work. Actionable tips:
5. Try to do important tasks firstAs an employee, you are often going to be allocated a wide range of tasks that you will need to deal with by a particular deadline. It is not uncommon for you to have more tasks than you can handle and so, the best way to ensure that you maintain your performance at work is to prioritize your tasks in an order judging by importance. Actionable tips:
6. Set clear goalsEveryone wants to progress at their job as quickly as possible, but sadly, that is not a practical objective you can aim for. When setting goals for projects that are about to begin, don’t overwhelm yourself, as the last thing that you’d want to do is get burned out halfway through. Instead, you should consider your strengths and weaknesses as well as working capacity and limitations and set goals that can actually be achieved. You will be surprised how much of an impact clear and achievable goals have on your productivity levels. Actionable tips:
7. Improve your communication skillsIf you are working on a big project with some of your work colleagues, communication will be essential for the overall performance of the team. So, ensuring that you communicate with them everything from good to bad will be key to successfully complete the task.
Actionable tips:
8. Don’t try to do your own, delegateUnless you are a master of all trades within your industry, you should almost never work on a single project alone. Why? Because unless it’s super simple and straightforward, it may require a different set of expertise that you may not be so good at. Take a website for example, in order for a fully functional website to be ready, you need backend and front end developers, UI & UX designers, copywriters, SEO & marketing experts and so forth. Actionable tips:
9. Make use of the right toolsIf you are operating in the product or service industry, one of the key reasons for reduced performance could solely be due to your lack of knowledge in the tools and resources that you are working with. Usually, way before you joined the workforce, your employer would have already tested a couple of tools and has provided you with the best ones. So, in order to be more productive at the workplace, you should master the tools which will help you to increase your performance at work. Actionable tips:
10. Give yourself down timeMental health is a real problem, and sometimes, after long periods of time, it is possible to ‘burn out’ from your work or feel unmotivated. Luckily, you don’t need to work 8 hours straight on a daily basis, allowing you plenty of time during your working hours to take a break and recharge. Also, according to research conducted at University of Illinois, United States, short breaks increases your focus and productivity. You can do that by simply drinking coffee and watching your favourite show on Netflix for 10-15 minutes, or if practical, you can even do some yoga or take an exercise break. Now, if you are really starting to feel worn down, you should take a day off or even a vacation. Actionable tips:
11. Encourage desk cleanliness and organizationIt is proven that a messy environment can slow down your performance. If you have hundreds of documents laying around everywhere on your desks, finding what you need when the time comes can be a very time-consuming process. So, be sure to always keep your desk clean and well organized throughout the day to avoid such time-wasting nightmares. Actionable tips:
12. Stay healthyNo one can be productive at work when unwell, and so, it is vital that you take care of your health. After a long day at work, it is normal to feel exhausted, leaving you with little motivation to go to the gym or complete an exercise. However, you don’t need to go to the gym every single day. All you can do is walk or bike to work, limit your consumption of unnecessary snacks throughout the day, and stick to healthier options. Then, your mood will increase, your focus will get sharper and so will your performance at work. Actionable tips:
13. Don’t leave tasks unfinishedWhether it's because a new and more exciting project came along or the current one is too boring, we have all left a task unfinished and quickly jumped onto the new project without much consideration. This, however, creates a chain of problems that can lead to delays, which will essentially harm performance. So, never leave a task unfinished regardless of the new circumstances to avoid any performance-related issues that will hamper productivity levels at the office. Actionable tips:
14. Become a lifelong learnerThe world around us is evolving all the time, and so are the requirements for performing well at work. What worked yesterday and made you an expert in your field isn’t necessarily going to work tomorrow. And so, lifelong learning must become part of your daily life if you wish to stay ahead of the curve in your industry. How? By reading books, watching videos, and listening to the podcasts and relevant pieces of information in your field. Actionable tips:
15. Ask for constructive feedbackHave you recently completed a new project and are not too sure of what to think in regards to your work performance? Just ask your supervisor or manager for some constructive feedback. Usually, they would be very happy that you asked them and will gladly provide you with some things that you can work on and compliment you on everything that you have done right. Actionable tips:
16. Participate in mentorshipThis tip is particularly fundamental for employees who are just starting their careers in their chosen field of interest. Although you may know a thing or two, being mentored by a field expert with decades of experience behind their back will provide you with a fast-track to the knowledge that will take you years of experience to learn. Actionable tips:
17. Try to be punctual and accountableWant your performance to be better than ever? Take responsibility for your actions, behavior, and decisions at the office. It really is as simple as that. If you don’t want to help yourself, you can’t wait for your manager or boss to encourage you to not do the destructive things that hamper your productivity at work. Actionable tips:
18. Rethink ineffective ways of workingIf you have been working at the same company for a while, it’s likely that you are now used to some sort of a work regime that you repeat day after day. In such cases, it’s very hard to spot any behavioral patterns that may be affecting your work performance. You should sit back and address all ineffective ways of working that you fall victim to. Only then can you start increasing your performance at work. Actionable tips:
19. Build your own development planAs an employee, as you gain experience in the industry, eventually you are going to progress through the ‘corporate ladder’ and gain a higher position within the company. One of the best ways to ensure that you speed this process up is by being an excellent and consistent performer at the workplace. How to do that? Build your own development plan and follow it strictly. Actionable tips:
20. Build working relationships and connectionsAs an employee, building relationships and connections will have an immense effect on your performance at work. How? By meeting people, engaging in new conversations, and developing relationships, you will get to exchange experiences with people alike who may have been in the industry for longer and may know a thing or two that will help take your work to a whole new level. Actionable tips:
21. Avoid idle chat, drama, and gossipAs human beings, we like to communicate with one another and discuss various topics of interest, however, this can seriously affect work performance, especially if it happens too often. Now, we are not saying that you shouldn’t communicate with your colleagues at all as communication is at the core of a successful business, but it is important to not engage with any ongoing drama or irrelevant gossip that can distract you and the people around the office from getting work done. Actionable tips:
9 Tips how an organization can help you improve performance1. Be a leader and a role modelAs a business owner or a manager, you must set a standard for a strong work ethic and productivity for your colleagues and employees in the office through your own efforts. Even if you don’t notice it, you are your colleagues’ team leader and role model. They look up to you and if you don’t work hard on a daily basis and show results for the effort, why should they? Actionable tips:
2. Communicate with your employeesCommunicating clearly and effectively with your employees is the single most important key to maximizing their overall performance. In other words, if you feel like an employee is struggling, offer your help, communicate, ask questions until a solution is found. The idea is to create a working environment where the employees are not afraid to communicate and ask for your help. Actionable tips:
3. Provide constructive feedbackProviding regular feedback to your employees based on their performance at the workplace is an important part of your professional and business relationship. Without it, your employee won’t know what they are good at or what they need to work on to be better at their job. One of the best opportunities you will have as a manager or a business owner to provide more in-depth constructive feedback is during progress-related meetings. Your employee will not only take it seriously but will also know exactly what direction to take in order to be better at their job. Actionable tips:
4. Organize and optimize tasksTypically, if you are in the service industry, your employees will work with you for around 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. Those 40 hours a week might seem a lot, but they really aren’t. You’d be surprised to know that over 5 hours on average get wasted by employees waiting for meetings or on other employees every single week. So, optimizing teamwork processes, removing or improving meetings that are a waste of time can lead to greater overall performance from your employees. Actionable tips:
5. Provide good judgementAt times, we all express our biased opinion or judgment on a particular topic, which can often cause conflict. As a business manager, you should always be right in the middle and provide a good and fair judgment in every situation. Other employees around you will see that you are reasonable with your judgment which will make them feel confident in their decision to come to you for advice in the future if something is bothering them. Actionable tips:
6. Let employees learn even from mistakesWhether it is in the workplace or at home, everyone makes mistakes. It is the most normal human trait. What is important for you to do as a manager or business owner is to help your employees learn from their mistakes. Your employee in question will not only appreciate your help but will also work extra hard in order to ensure that the same mistake doesn’t happen again. Actionable tips:
7. Ask questionsIf you see an employee struggling or not performing to the level they normally do, go over and ask them if you can be of any help. Make them feel like they are not alone and that they can trust you. At the end of the day, we are not robots and all have emotions and problems of our own that could affect our work performance. Showing care and sympathy is the least you can do to brighten someone’s mood and bring them back to their optimal level of work ethic. Actionable tips: Be sure to always ask questions when you see that one of your employees is struggling or isn’t performing as well. Usually, all they need is a quick chat. 8. Compliment your employeesAs people, we love being admired and complimented. It is simply in our nature and is something employees really appreciate. It doesn’t take much to tell your employees that they have done a great job after a big project. As a business owner or a manager, it is your responsibility to keep your workforce happy and satisfied in the workplace. At the end of the day, without them, your business will not exist. Actionable tips: Give credit where deserved. After a long project, going over to your team and individually congratulating them for the hard work is the least you can do which will have a massive impact on their confidence and performance moving forward. 9. Provide an enjoyable working environmentNo one enjoys working in a messy and outdated environment. It will indirectly affect your employee performance as the only thing they would want at times is to just leave and go home. So, providing an enjoyable working environment that your employees get excited to go to in the morning will have a great effect on their mood and ultimately, their performance at work. Actionable tips:
7 Books to help you improve your work performance1. Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear Available on Amazon | eBooks | Goodreads 2. Black Box Thinking by Matthew Syed Available on Amazon | eBooks | Goodreads 3. Employee Experience: Develop a Happy, Productive and Supported Workforce for Exceptional Individual and Business Performance by Ben Whitter and Josh Bersin Available on Amazon | Goodreads 4. Getting Things Done by David Allan Available on Amazon | eBooks | Goodreads 5. Great at Work: The Hidden Habits of Top Performers by Morten T. Hansen Available on Amazon | eBooks 6. How To Get Sh*t Done by Erin Falconer Available on Amazon | eBooks | Goodreads 7. Peak Performance by Brad Stulberg Available on Amazon | eBooks | Goodreads What are 3 things you can improve on to be professional?Read on to learn strategies you can start implementing today to improve your job performance.. Stop Multitasking and Start Focusing. ... . Set Goals and Personal Benchmarks. ... . Determine Your Strengths and Weaknesses. ... . Volunteer to Do More. ... . Foster a Healthy Work-Life Balance. ... . Practice Clear Communication.. How can I improve my personal and professional life?Decide what you want to do with your professional life. ... . Take care of yourself. ... . Try listening to people when they talk to you. ... . Always be open to new ideas. ... . Don't hate the haters and become a hater yourself. ... . Seek out mentors and peer groups to network with. ... . Keep your word. ... . Stop comparing yourself to others.. How will you make a positive impact in this position?Treat others with respect
One of the best ways to make a positive impact at work is by treating everyone with respect. This means showing others that you value what they have to say. Making an effort to let others speak and show you are listening is a major sign of respect.
How do you answer 3 ways in which this individual can improve his her performance at work?How to improve work performance. Set the right expectations.. Have milestones and goals.. Organize, plan and prioritize.. Avoid distractions.. Do one thing at a time.. Don't leave things unfinished.. Read something new everyday.. Communicate effectively.. |