Robert Half International produced a study that found Tuesday is our most productive day at work. The thought process is that we spend Mondays getting our "to-do lists" in order, so that Tuesday is spent accomplishing the tasks. My question is, what happens Wednesday through Friday?
I recently read an article that reported companies lose an average of two hours per day of employee productivity because of multitasking and related interruptions. The study also found that this loss added up to $588 billion in lost productivity.
If you are a recruiter, you know what I'm talking about. You've spent countless hours on non-income producing tasks. Here are some things to look out for as well as a few suggestions:
- E-mail A-D-D: We tend to open our e-mails every time it dings. While we might feel obligated to see who's vying for our attention, it completely disrupts our workflow. Here are some suggestions: If your e-mail is more than a few sentences, pick up the phone instead. Also, only check your e-mail three times a day.
- Not working from a "to-do list:" Don't follow in the footsteps of the Robert Half International's study participants. You should have a prioritized "to-do list" every workday. With a prioritized list, you aren't so susceptible to the day's ad hoc events. It also creates a specific, proactive purpose.
- Not finishing what you began: Stop jumping from task to task. Everytime you start and stop, minutes and eventually hours are tacked on. Stay focused on the task at hand. For starters, put your phone on silent and let your voicemail answer calls. Stay glued to your seat until you've worked from point A to point Z. Put a Post-It note on your monitor that states what you're working on. It sounds silly, but believe me, it helps.
The industry's top-producing recruiters have found ways to stay focused and increase productivity. The bottom line for recruiters is focusing on tasks that generate income.
Hat Tip, Brazen Careerist by Penelope Trunk
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