Having What You Need to be Peak Productive
When setting up your workspace in a way that serves both you and your business, think about what you need to have around you to be most productive… and what you don’t! The latter is easier in some ways, so let’s start there.
Unless you absolutely have to have your phone by you for work, then put it in another room. This may be a case of having your work phone with you and your personal one separate; but if that’s the case then make sure there are no distracting apps on your work phone. Studies have shown that just being able to see your phone (not even using it!) can act as a distraction, so make life simpler and hide it from yourself. It’s ridiculously easy to pick up your phone without even realising you’re doing it, to check a message from a friend, have a quick scroll… and oh look, 20 minutes has gone.
What else acts as a distraction in your office / work space? Pause here to note down some of the things that call for your attention. It could be your pet, snacks, post… it could be that mess elevates your stress (more on this in the next post) or something else entirely. We’re all different but each of us is human and our brains like distractions.
I get up to make far more cups of tea than anyone needs (I know, I’m the embodiment of a British cliché) so I’ll have a pot of tea by me. It’s not drinking it that’s the problem… it’s that I’ll get up to make it and then want to wipe down the surfaces in the kitchen, or make myself a snack too, or notice that the post has arrived…
Over the next few days, try to get curious about what your patterns are. As much as possible, please don’t judge yourself. These things don’t make you a ‘bad’ person or business owner – you’re human! It’s just helpful to try and notice what’s pulling at your attention and then eliminate those triggers. It’s all about choice. Choose where you want to spend your time and what you want to give your attention to.
Conversely, think about what you want to move towards. What are the things that help you be peak productive? That could be anything from having certain files or your diary to hand… but it may also be that you like to have a stress ball within easy reach because it helps alleviate anxiety and focus more calmly. There’s no right or wrong but, again, be honest with yourself about what’s going to aid your productivity.
Let go of the allusion that you need to wait until you have your own office space for this to be possible. You don’t need an interior designer. You don’t need a budget. You don’t need to wait until… [insert one of the excuses we all give ourselves.] You just need to get organised. My ‘office’ is a corner of my living room. I have a book case behind the table where I work and two shelves of that are dedicated to the things I need in easy reach. Now, I completely appreciate that for some businesses that may be more challenging, which is when it becomes a question of priorities.
Again, try to observe yourself over the next few weeks: what items do you use most often? What’s most useful to you? What helps you be most productive? Are there things you need to work that you currently have to move away from your workspace to get? Block out some time in the diary now to work on creating your dream workspace.
MY ACTION PLAN:
· Make a note of the things that distract you when you work.
· Move them now or get some time in the diary when you’ll be able to do that.
· Make a note of any items that help you be most productive.
· Set up your workspace so they’re easily accessible or get some time in the diary when you can.
· Pop a note in your diary to have a quarterly reset of your workspace and review what’s helped you be most productive.
