We’re back here at the Pathway Blog, and we’re so happy to have you with us! 

We thought it might be helpful and fun to take a look at productivity techniques today and explore the ways they can help the different types of workers within your organization or workplace. 

Morale in the workplace can be affected by a variety of factors, and one of the big ones is productivity. When team members and employees are measurably productive, it can increase not only the general atmosphere of the company but also the self-esteem of the team members themselves. Feeling satisfied with one’s work and valuable to the organization can be transformative when it comes to employee engagement.

Swallow the Frog

That’s a weird one, huh? While it might not sound that appetizing, this tried-and-true productivity method has helped a lot of people. The idea is that you just “get it over with and swallow the frog,” or in the case of work, you “get it over with and tackle the biggest task at the beginning of your workday.” This works well if you’re the type of person who has the most creative or productive energy before lunch. You’ll find that you’ll feel more accomplished when you finish your workday, and you can save the less-stressful work for the afternoon.

Take It One Task at a Time

We’re living in the ultimate age of distraction, and while multitasking might sound like a useful talent to have, the truth is that it can lead to a lot of wasted time and lower-quality work. Focusing on finishing one task (or spending a significant chunk of time on one task) before moving on to another increases your chances of completing these tasks, which will improve your productivity as well as your morale. 

Try the Pomodoro Technique

Named after the tomato-shaped timer used by the creator of this method, the Pomodoro Technique is a great way to help you swallow the frog and focus on a single task. While there are a few different versions floating around out there, the philosophy is the same. Set a timer, focus for 25 minutes on work, and then allow yourself a 5-minute break to do whatever you want — whether it’s a quick walk up and down the stairs, grabbing a snack, or watching a cat video. You repeat this pattern until you need a longer break, and then you start all over again. This helps you buckle down since you’ve got a very distinct amount of time and a guaranteed break ahead of you. There are many fun Pomodoro apps out there that help you keep track of time, but the timer on your phone will work just fine!

Break the Big Tasks Down

Is your biggest task so big that you’d do almost anything to avoid it? Try turning it into a number of smaller tasks! This way, you’ll get the motivation and sense of accomplishment that comes from crossing things off your list, and you’ll be able to see your most intimidating projects slowly become smaller and more manageable. Getting started is always the hardest part, and it’s much easier to get started on a small, doable task. 

The great thing about these productivity techniques is that, individually, they can help a variety of different work styles… but they can also be very powerful tools when blended together! Do you use any techniques not mentioned here? We’d love to know what works for you!