The average employee is productive for less than three hours every day. Considering the workday is around eight hours, that’s a very short amount of time!
It’s hard to blame anyone though. Whether you’re working remotely or in an office, it can be difficult to keep your mind on the task at hand.
If you often sit in front of your computer struggling to focus, consider these computer tips to boost your productivity.
1. Minimize Distractions
Minimizing distractions is one of the best computer tricks you can possibly learn, even though it sounds so simple. You’ll increase productivity by closing the programs you don’t need — the ones that are nothing to do with work!
If you struggle with temptation, there are apps and programs available that can block websites for a certain amount of time. You won’t be tempted to check Facebook if your computer won’t let you!
2. Put Windows Side by Side
One of the best productivity tips is to put all of the windows you need side by side. Why flick between everything when you could have it all fitting nicely on the screen?
You can arrange windows on Mac computers very easily in particular, with split-screen setups and innovative controls.
If you have a lot you need to look through at once, you can even consider buying a second monitor.
3. Go to a Quiet Environment
One of the best desktop productivity tips isn’t to do with the computer itself, but the environment.
Working in the middle of the sitting room with your family or roommates interrupting you isn’t productive for anyone. If you don’t have a quiet place you can go in the house, consider the local coffee shop, library, or somewhere else with wifi where you’re unlikely to be interrupted.
You might be surprised at how much of a difference this can make.
4. Use Your Voice to Give Commands
Did you know that most laptops are programmed to listen to voice commands?
Figure out exactly what it takes for your computer to listen to you. Usually, it’s easier than you think, like pressing one button or saying a word to activate voice control.
Now, you can give commands much more quickly. Tell the computer what to open or what you want to search for rather than scrolling through all of your windows to find it.
5. Pin and Bookmark What You Need
Taking up the time to pin apps to the taskbar and set up work bookmarks will save you a lot of time.
Many people manually type in all of the websites they need to access every morning and sift through their programs to find the right ones. It might take you a while to set it up but once you have, you can open up everything you need with a few clicks every morning.
Invaluable!
6. Take Breaks
Taking a lot of breaks is vital to boosting your computer productivity, and it’s a trick many people don’t know about or acknowledge.
People go from full focus to natural fatigue roughly every ninety minutes when going full steam ahead. Therefore, it’s a good idea to set an alarm and force yourself to take a break.
It doesn’t matter what you do. Get a coffee, a snack, walk the dog — just stand up and leave your computer for a bit when you feel the need to. It might feel bad to walk away from work, but it’ll increase your productivity overall.
7. Create Keyboard Shortcuts
Although your computer likely has keyboard shortcuts built in, it’s a good idea to create your own. You can usually do this in the settings.
For example, if you have a long email address, you can create a shortcut that will automatically type that out for you. It may only be saving seconds, but it’ll wear you down less!
8. Utilize a Notes App
When you need to remember things, use a notes app. You can even find sticky notes apps that will pin things to your desktop so you automatically see your reminders every time you minimize things.
Some people work better with a physical notebook and that’s fine, but even having the reminders there can truly help in addition to anything else.
9. Turn Off Notifications
Unless you need notifications (such as Slack or another work chat), turn them off!
It can help to put everything into ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode so you don’t get texts or calls constantly. If you’re worried about emergencies, you can usually program exceptions (like for certain contacts, or if someone rings more than once, it goes through).
Make sure to activate this on both your computer and phone.
10. Play With Lighting
If you work into the night or it’s winter and it gets dark early, it can help to change the lighting on your computer so it’s easier on your eyes.
Most computers will have a soft lighting option where it will become warm at night and be less harsh on your eyes, allowing you to continue working for longer without feeling that burnout.
These Computer Tips Will Maximize Productivity
Remember these computer tips to maximize your productivity and adjust them for you. For example, if you need short breaks more often than every ninety minutes, take them when you can!
It’s important to understand what works for you and take advantage of the technology at your disposal to make it happen. We all struggle with productivity sometimes, but it’s essential that we can overcome the occasional and inevitable burnout.
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