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| Michael Kellner, our Vice President of Media Relations, being productive. |
Working in PR can be stressful, and sometimes your daily responsibilities can feel overwhelming. Luckily, almost everyone can benefit from better time management to work more efficiently. Here are some productivity tips to consider to make your workday more enjoyable.
1. Work in multiple locations
Staying in the same spot can
dampen your creativity and make it harder to finish your work. That’s why
working from two or three different locations helps to boost your productivity.
At BOCA, we’re fortunate to have three buildings to work from, but in a pinch a
nearby cafe or a local library is a great alternative.
2. Work in short bursts with
five-minute breaks
Having trouble getting anything
done? Try setting a timer for 25 minutes and do as much work you can in that
time frame. You’ll often find you want to keep working after your timer rings.
The Pomodoro Technique is a great timer and resource to consider.
3. Choose a quiet room where you're
looking at a wall
If conversations from your
coworkers and other background noise are distracting, try moving to a quiet
room. Total silence can be very effective for tasks that demand a lot of focus
and concentration.
4. Listen to music or podcasts for
repetitive tasks
Do you feel frustrated and find
yourself frequently procrastinating? Try listening to something entertaining in
the background. Some background noise can be helpful to silence the voice
inside your head that distracts you from starting an unpleasant task.
5. Go for a walk
Sitting in front of a computer
writing and reading e-mails for hours can drain you. So, try taking a walk for
15 minutes around the block or sitting in the sun and people watching to clear
your mind.
6. Play with pets
At BOCA, we have three dogs and two
cats who roam around our offices and help everyone cheer up during stressful
times. Sometimes the affection from a friendly animal is all you need to
brighten up your day.
7. Be proactive
Instead of anxiously waiting to
hear back from a client, take some time to outline a new project or future
goal. Use your down time to plan ahead so you’ll always have set tasks to keep
yourself occupied.
8. Do your most unpleasant task in the
morning.
Ever heard the expression you
should swallow a frog before noon? Mark
Twain and other working professionals stressed the importance of getting the
most difficult task of the day done immediately. Once the thing you dread is
gone from your to-do list the rest of the day doesn’t seem so bad, and you can
concentrate on what’s important to you.
9. Always carry a notepad and pen
Sometimes, writing longhand can do
wonders for your productivity. Transferring stressful thoughts to paper can
help you clear your head and concentrate easier. Also, it’s a great way to stay
organized and multitask.
10. Use desktop and mobile productivity
apps
Desktop time tracker apps can be great for
managing all your assignments and ensuring you stay productive. Like to write to-do lists? Wunderlist works
together with your computer and phone, and sends you reminders for due dates so
you can stay on top of everything.
With these tips, you’re on your way to a
having a more productive workday and being prepared for the daily challenges of
PR. See which tips work for you and tailor them to your routine. If you can
make them a habit, you’ll be more efficient and less stressed in no time.
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