6 BIGGEST PRODUCTIVITY KILLERS AT WORK

Are there days when you feel like you are struggling to get things done at work? Or left the office after a long day at work with barely a single item ticked off your to-do list? There are subtle productivity killers that eat into our hours at work. Then at close of business, we realise that nothing major on your task list for the day has been achieved.

Smartphones:

Technology is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it makes your work easier and faster, on the other hand, because there are so many interesting things to do with your phone you can get carried away from what's important. Texting friends and family members on apps like WhatsApp and blackberry messenger during work hours will reduce your productivity because let's face it chatting is fun!. The best solution is to put your personal smartphone on silent (not vibration) during work hours because once you start chatting, it could prove difficult to get back to work. You can respond to personal messages during lunch break.

The Internet:

The world has finally reached a stage where you can't really cut off the internet from your life. Almost all forms of information have been tied to the internet somehow. Therefore, at some point, you will need the internet to solve a particular problem at work. However. because of the information overload on the internet, it is extremely easy to digress and start surfing randomly. It starts with a pop-up advert of a beautiful black dress with diamonds on it. Then you click on the advert so you can see the dress clearly, and from there you find yourself window shopping. Do you see how the cycle goes? Installing ad blockers on your computer might help with this.

Unreliable Technology:

Imagine trying to beat a deadline with a computer that freezes up every few minutes. Or an internet connection that is painfully slow. How would you get anything done? You would probably spend hours on a task that was supposed to take less than 30 minutes. Suffice it to say you will not be meeting that deadline.

Multitasking:

Research has shown that 98% of people who think they can multitask are not very good at it. Multitasking divides your attention among several assignments. This results in half finished tasks and can cause a decline in your productivity. Ultimately, it becomes a case of jack of all trade, master of none.

Noisy co-workers:

There are individuals who absolutely cannot function in noisy environments. They can't get anything done. Noise disrupts their reasoning and they find themselves spending more time correcting errors instead of moving on to the next assignment. If you are facing this problem, you should invest in a pair of noise-cancelling headphones.

Gossip:

Gossip is a time wasting activity in any sphere of life. Honestly, what is your business if Biodun from Accounting is having problems in her marriage?Sometimes, the whispers are so loud that it's difficult not to hear them. However, as advised above, invest in noise cancelling headphones and concentrate on your job.

What other productivity killers have you encountered at work?

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