Right now, take a look around your workstation. Is it organized chaos or just random disaster? A crowded mind and a messy to-do list are not conducive to productivity. If you work a typical 40-hour workweek, you probably spend a considerable percentage of that time at your desk. Your office atmosphere is crucial, but so is your workstation setting. An optimum workplace layout is critical for better productivity, as well as improved health and enjoyment.
You may not have accessibility to all of the comforts and cleaning supplies that you'd have at home at work. However, that doesn't mean you should feel awkward or helpless when life takes its toll. Here are some practical office productivity tips that help you be structured and get more done. Here are some practical office productivity tips that help you be structured and get more done.
Add desk space storage
A desk with drawers and shelves can assist you in developing a strategy for managing all incoming papers and office essentials while preserving your workspace clean. The old saying, "a place for everything and everything in its place," certainly fits here. Make your workstation a helper in your organizational objectives. Choose one that allows you to keep your boxes, books, and accessories reachable but out of the way. If your company provides you with a desk with no storage, try installing a small cabinet, file cabinet, or shelving unit beneath it.
Clean your keyboard
There have been several tests on this, but the conclusion is that your keyboard has over 3000 more germs per square inch than a toilet seat. Use a toothbrush to dust between the keys and adhesive tape to pick up debris before wiping away germs with an antiseptic wipe.
Try a mechanical keyboard
Modern laptop keyboards are lighter and compact, but they are not ideal for lengthy periods of typing. A mechanical keyboard is a superior option. Mechanical keyboards are constructed with minor, spring-mounted keys that provide a more tactile stimulation than the standard touchscreen keyboards found on most computers. These switches are more robust, should last longer, and may even improve your typing speed.
As a bonus, mechanical keyboards are substantially bigger than laptop keyboards, allowing your hands and arms to stay in a more ergonomic position. This improves your posture, general wellbeing, and workplace productivity.
Add some personality
When you invest far too much of your time in the office, you want to have a well-organized workspace that allows you to create and revel in fresh ideas. Including family photos, artwork, and mood boards can help you solve difficulties while also becoming happy. Keep things in front of you that will inspire you to keep focused on your goals while remaining open to new ideas. In a unique approach, include some motivating comments. Construct a vision board. Demonstrate what makes your professional journey one-of-a-kind.
Get more space with an L-shaped desk
Having two workstations is another desk tip that might boost your productivity. You can connect the two desks to form the letter "L." This will allow you to keep your computer and other essential gear on your main desk while writing and taking notes on the one next to you. All you have to do is swivel your seat around, and you'll have a clean workspace. If you prefer a one-piece L-desk, here are a few of our favorites: the L-Shaped Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desks and the Seiffen Laminated Spliced L-shaped Standing Desk.
Hydrate and eat
Not only could drinking plenty of water reduce your need to nibble, but because your brain is mainly water, drinking it will benefit you in a variety of ways, including improved concentration and memory. The simplest method to push yourself to do this is to purchase a reusable water bottle (which we're sure you have because you worry about plastic's negative impacts on the environment) and mark 1-2 hour time intervals on it. You'll also be able to see at a glimpse if you're falling behind on your water consumption.
Don't forget to eat when you're drinking water across the day. A nutritious lunch is vital for maintaining a lot of energy. Moreover, healthful mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks also play a role. When your stomach grumbles, keep some protein bars in your backpack or make use of the free fruit in your company.
Stand up frequently
You can decrease the hazards connected with lengthy periods of sitting by "hacking" your current desk without needing to acquire a standing desk. Placing your monitor on a pedestal and other gear on a footstool or small table on top of your existing desk, for instance, will enable you to stand and work at different times of the day. If your desk has adequate room, you can leave a sitting area and add a standing zone. This will allow you to switch positions over the day to maintain your circulatory system at peak levels while also boosting your creative energy.
Keep a notepad handy
Ideas can happen at any moment. We all know that we won't remember them the very next day no matter how hard we try. Get a tiny notepad and scribble down everything you wish to retain or even use eventually. It's advantageous when you're on the phone and desperately looking for a post-it. Simply refer to it when you're lost for ideas or want to refresh your memory.
Ensure comfort
Whether you want to stand, sit, or alternate between the two, you must take care of your posture. The way you sit at your desk and gaze at your computer can have an impact on anything from your back and neck to your eyesight. If you're sitting, make sure you're sitting in a chair that accommodates the natural curvature of your spine. You'll also want to make sure your eyeballs are at the correct level for your screen and the proper distance from it because eye strain isn't fun. If you decide to go the standing desk route, be sure to wear supportive shoes and consider a mat.
Get familiar with keyboard shortcuts
Learning and memorizing keyboard shortcuts is one of the most acceptable ways to speed repetitive operations, especially while using a computer. Key combos can save you a lot of time. Make a note of your most often used non-keyboard tasks, and then look for the keyboard shortcut counterpart. Display this list next to your computer and get into the habit of using the keyboard rather than the mouse.
Set a small desk plant at the corner of your desk
For this workplace hack, a tiny bonsai or cactus is excellent. They're filling, portable (they fit in a backpack or tote bag), and also don't take up much space on your desk.
Time for emails
It is reported that we spend more than two hours every day reading and responding to emails. That's a little disconcerting when you consider how much office administration you can get done in two hours. Given that it takes an average of 23 minutes and 15 seconds to return to work after being stopped, it's also worth scheduling a set time of day for team meetings and responding to emails.
Temporarily ignore notifications
You don't need productivity software or notification censors if you need to focus. Simply put your phone on silent and face down in a drawer. It may appear unusual at first, but push notifications to continue to captivate us, and app developers continue to provide us with even more to look at.
We spend plenty of time at our desks and in the office. Make the most of your time and start your operations to a minimum. And, yet again, drink plenty of water. We hope these ideas will help you master your desk space to work effectively and significantly impact the world. A little effort can go a long way toward establishing a more supportive environment for you!
