Are you surfing this article for a legitimate reason, or are you just trying to avoid doing some work that doesn't appeal to you? Wait! Don't go away! I'm just trying to make a point here... you're not living up to your full potential when you're spending too much time on "Internet fluff" - the unproductive usage of your Internet time.
Instead of taking a long time to try and force yourself to do a computer task, get up and walk away from the computer instead of indulging in the exploration of your online comics, funny emails and joke sites. You're here to work! Until your work is done, deny yourself the mental soothing that a good comic gives you.
EMAIL:
Use filters recklessly and with abandon. Create a filter for your clients and set up your email server to send correspondence directly to that folder. Do the same with friends, family, etc. until you are not inundated with massive amounts of information in your Inbox. This allows you to pick and choose the emails you
focus on, without distracting yourself with "This Just In"s.
Set up times when you check your email, instead of having pop-ups distract you from your work. This is also a good client management strategy. If you tell your clients the hours that you are accustomed to answering email and phone calls, etc. they are less likely to interrupt time allotted to different things.
Another bonus of using filters is that you can use them as a reward. If you're addicted to Joke of the Day emails, then reward yourself for clearing your inbox or sending off an important piece of correspondence with a few minutes of laughs.
BROWSER USE:
Are you gathering relevant research or surfin' the Net? A bit of down time spent on blogs, comics or games is a welcome relief from some of the duller parts of the agent's day, but don't wake up to find that you've frittered away an hour and a half on Bejeweled or Text Twist.
Be a browser minimalist. Close unnecessary windows so you can focus on the task at hand. It's easy to switch from productivity to game-playing when the game is just a click away. Make it harder to do by making the game harder to get at.
Having a hard time switching between browsers? Consider getting an additional computer screen to work with. The extra space means that you don't have to constantly bring two different documents to the forefront when you're working. An extra computer screen can mean a 20% to 30% improvement in your productivity.
APPLICATIONS
By applications, I mean things like Word documents, Spreadsheets, etc. You can save a lot of time packing them around by uploading to an online file holder and organizer like Google. Or, upload them onto a USB storage device. A lot of information can be stored on one of these tiny tools and they're compatible with just about every new computer out there today.
IM
Unless you need this for work, you should have scheduled times to be "available". Even if your IM states that you are "Away" or "Busy", this does not stop people from messaging you in the belief that you'll get it when you 'come back'. You'll get it now and it will interrupt what you're doing. Turn it off until you have the time to chat.
KEYBOARD
A lot of people love their mouse for moving around on the screen, but did you know that keyboard shortcuts can save you many seconds over the course of the day? Not only that, keyboard shortcuts can help keep your 'flow' when you're working on something. Do a search for 'keyboard shortcuts' to find out more about these neat little methods of maneuvering.
BREAKS
Are you having a hard time concentrating on a difficult task? Try giving yourself a break. But don't get it from the computer. Get up! Go for a walk- even if it's to the water cooler or the bathroom. Get away from the task for a few minutes and think/do something else.
The aim is to give yourself a break without compromising your primary purpose on the computer right now - doing that work. If you take lots of little breaks and get yourself out of the habit of finding something 'better' to do on your computer, you'll develop the habit of working hard on projects for a short period of time. This will help your concentration, even on boring/difficult tasks
The tips in this article will not help you if you really don't like your job or have a problem that is intruding on your life to the extent where you can't work well. In cases like these, it is best to look outward for your solutions. However, if you just want to improve your productivity in an area where you're having a bit of trouble, hopefully these tips will give you some ideas.
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