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Drowning In Work? Six Tips To Improve Your Efficiency

 Default Author • Apr 18, 2018

Do you find your work piling up around you, despite your best efforts to stay on schedule? Assuming your supervisor isn’t overloading you and you’re not being asked to do work you’re not yet qualified to do, you might simply be suffering from a lack of efficiency. And since reducing your workload is likely not an option if you want to keep your job, you’re going to have to learn how to work more efficiently. Keep the following tips in mind.


  1. Set deadlines for yourself. As John Rampton writing for Inc. points out in “15 Ways to Increase Productivity at Work,” a certain level of stress, especially when it’s self-imposed, can help you better focus on your goals. When you’re working on an important project that’s going to take significant effort to complete, set a deadline for yourself—one that’s earlier than the actual date by which your employer needs you to complete it. This will help you focus on completing the task on time, allow you to better plan for what you need to do; the extra time will also act as a buffer if anything pops up unexpectedly.
  2. Map out a schedule at the beginning of each day. No matter how tempting it is to dive into your favourite project as soon as you get to work, it’s smarter to review what you need to accomplish during the day and then allocate your time accordingly. Set aside half an hour or so at the start of the day, and after lunch, for the smaller things that need to be done- for example, answering emails and arranging calls- before you get stuck into the larger projects that will likely take a few hours. By planning your time out in this way, you’ll be much more organised, and better able to avoid last-minute panic when it comes to getting tasks finished.
  3. Include short breaks.We have a limited capacity for being able to concentrate for extended periods of time. Studies show that taking breaks over the course of the day serve to reenergise us, resulting in better decision making and heightened productivity once we return to our desks afterwards; we can be up to 13% more accurate and efficient in our work afterwards. Merely switching activities at the computer doesn’t count as a break: to get the best results, you need to get up and move around, giving your mind a respite from the screen. Whether it’s a lunchtime workout or a trip to the kitchen for a coffee and a chat with co-workers, anything that gets you up and moving will help. Scheduling in breaks will also help you stick to a set schedule.
  4. Avoid too much caffeine. One or two cups of coffee or tea can give you a burst of energy when you need it most: at the start or end of the day. There’s a fine line to tread, however: drinking too much caffeine might even make you more tired than you were beforehand, as it has the potential to deplete your adrenal glands. Rather than returning to the kettle for a pick-me-up, try decaffeinated coffee or tea, bottled water, or green tea.
  5. Manage your communications. Emails, messages, text messages, voice mail: the number of communications you receive as part of your work can be overwhelming, stressful, and can add up to 26 wasted minutes a day. Instead of allowing yourself to be distracted by an alert every few minutes, turn off all notifications. Use your pre-scheduled segments at the start of the day, and after lunch, to check your messages instead. That in turn allows you to prioritize the ones you need to respond to: leave the rest until you’re finished with the most important tasks of the day and put aside twenty minutes before you leave to answer them.
  6. Check your productivity level. It’s worryingly easy to do a day’s work without actually managing anything productive. To avoid this, you need to take a proactive approach to your work, regularly checking whether what you’re doing and how you’re doing it will get you closer to your goal. Everyone can improve their productivity levels; you just need to have a good grasp of your working patterns. Determine whether you’re a multi-tasker or someone who needs to focus on one thing at a time instead. Once you’ve found the style of working that suits you best, stick with it and you’ll likely become more productive.


Improving your efficiency at work involves developing more effective strategies to complete your responsibilities. With the tips above in mind, you can change your work habits and enjoy a heightened level of productivity. And that way, you never have to feel as if you’re drowning in work again.

12 Feb, 2024
In the ever-evolving landscape of the professional world, many of us find ourselves at crossroads, contemplating a change in career or seeking new opportunities to ignite our passion.
by Shazamme System User 07 Sept, 2023
Summer is over. September is here. For you lovers of the summer, this can often bring feelings of the blues, but September can represent a time for a fresh start. This time of the year can offer many opportunities for job hunters to find a new job that aligns with their skills, goals, and experience. Check out our top tips on how you can land your dream job this time around (and why you should work with Kelly). 1. Get Clear On Your Goals First and foremost, you must have a clear objective of what you want for your career. Searching for a new job can bring feelings of excitement and motivation but it can also be overwhelming for applicants. Having an idea of what industries, you would like to work in, the timeline in which you would like to find a job, and the companies you’re interested in will reduce those negative feelings but will also give you a sense of direction and focus. 2. Update Your CV The next thing you should look at is improving and updating your CV. Have you demonstrated your most valuable skills? Have you highlighted your most important accomplishments and achievements? Have you included your personal websites, business profiles, and your LinkedIn profile? These are some of the many things to consider when updating your CV. Job applicants should also keep in mind that you should adjust your CV for every job you apply for. You should customize your CV so that it reflects the job you’re applying for.  3. Work with a Recruiter Are you aware of the benefits of working with a recruiter? Recruiters are experts in the hiring industry. They can help save you a significant amount of time during your job search as they know exactly what jobs are available in the market and they can match you with a role that aligns with your experience. Recruitment consultants can help you improve your CV and cover letter as well as make sure you are prepared for interviews. If you would like to read more about the benefits of working with a recruiter, click here . September is an excellent time of the year to find that new opportunity that you have been longing for. By following these tips, you should be on the right course to navigate the job market and find a role that suits you. It’s important to stay positive during your job search as it can sometimes be a lengthy process. But just remember, the right opportunity can take time. If you would like assistance during your job search, please do not hesitate to reach out and email us at info@kellyservices. co.uk. Or click here to search our latest vacancies and apply today!
28 Aug, 2023
Rephrasing the famous song, “Love is in the air”, let’s talk about change is in the air – and everywhere. We grow. We change. Look at your childhood photos. Watch your kid, your nephew, your niece. The change is there, and it’s incredible. Nature is constantly changing. We wait for summer as the time to enjoy outdoor activities and gardening, for a quick visit to the beach, or simply take time to relax and spend time with family, friends and loved ones. We wait for winter (even if we never see snow falling) to decorate the house for the holidays, pack presents for the people we love and unpack our own. The colour of the leaves changes, the weather shifts, and flowers blossom in their time – the landscape is constantly transforming. The world around us is changing. We travel to other countries and learn new things, cultures and languages. We take on new hobbies. We get new skills. After a couple of minor kitchen accidents (sometimes), we can cook delicious dishes and get compliments from family and friends. We transform our bodies at the gym or simply by creating the habit of walking every day. We meet new people, we sometimes fall in love, we build families, we have kids. And if you step back for a second, you realise you might have met your other half by pure accident. But you took a leap of faith into the unknown. We embrace many types of unknown change, except for the one that can change how we live five days a week – to change jobs. “I am too old/too young to change”, “I’m used to this environment; It’s my comfort zone”, “Well, I don’t get any promotion, and what I do doesn’t change the world, but it’s stable”, “I am afraid to ask for more interesting projects. What if my manager fires me?”. We often don’t want to change because that step requires a vision, courage, external support, and a leap of faith into the unknown. Scary? Yes. But also promising. A step into the unknown? Yes. But it can open a new door. Do your inner values marry what you do? Yes, it is essential. There is nothing terrible about staying in your comfort zone. At some stage of your career, staying put can be an excellent decision. But if you feel that you need a change – talk to Kelly. We don’t mind going the extra mile and support your wish to embrace the change. The one which will give meaning to what you do, feel proud, motivated and fulfilled. Ready for changing? We’ll make sure your talent can truly shine.
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