Menlo Park, Calif. — Dec. 16
Have a challenging project to tackle? Take it up on Tuesday, a new survey suggests.
Thirty-nine percent of human resources managers rank Tuesday as the most productive day of the week, according to a survey from staffing firm Accountemps. Thursday and Friday tied for the least productive day, each receiving just 3 percent of the response.
The fact that Tuesday was cited as most productive comes as no surprise — it has held the top spot in similar productivity surveys since 1987.
The most recent survey was conducted by an independent research firm and is based on interviews with more than 300 HR managers at U.S. companies with 20 or more employees.
Accountemps offers five tips to increase productivity:
Ax the excess. Start by creating your to-do list for the day. Then, cut it in half, focusing on your top priorities. Too often workers overestimate what they can accomplish and become frustrated by their lack of progress. A shorter, more realistic list that leaves room for unexpected projects and setbacks will help you become more productive.
Aim for quality, not quantity. In theory, multitasking seems like a good way to increase productivity. But it often leads to oversights and errors. Repeatedly switching from one project to another also slows you down. Do your best to focus on one item at a time.
Know your prime time. Tackle critical or challenging assignments during the time of day when you’re most productive. Handle less-pressing tasks, like online research, when your energy level starts to wane.
Dodge derailers. When working on important assignments, you can increase productivity by turning off mobile devices and signing out of email and social media. That allows you to give full attention to the task at hand. Prevent interruptions by politely informing your colleagues you don’t want to be disturbed.
Explore apps. Consider taking advantage of the wide selection of software that is specifically designed to increase productivity. Digital calendars, task management apps and other time-saving programs can help you keep track of projects, meet deadlines and be more productive.
Source: Accountemps
