What Do I Do To Stay Productive in a Cubicle?

 

Staying productive can be very difficult if your work requires you to stay in a cubicle for long hours every day and it can be a little hard to keep positive spirits if you are always exhausted from work. It doesn’t matter if you work in an office or a home office – the fact is that most of the time, you will find yourself in front of a computer almost the entire day and this can be physically and emotionally draining. If you find yourself feeling more exhausted at work as days pass, there are a few things you can do to get yourself well on your way to success. 

First, look at your workspace and ask yourself if you are working in a cluttered environment. If you are, now is the time to change that! It’s bad enough that you spend most of your time enclosed in four walls, it’s even worse when there is nothing in it but mess. Working in a clean environment helps you think better and feel better about yourself. Just imagine forgetting where you put your stapler and scrambling for it when you need it most; what more if it’s a piece of paperwork that you need to punch in for a deadline! 

Next, organize your priorities and put them in a list. If you make lists, it will be easier to keep track of all the things that you do. If you are often on the go, using the organizer on your cellular phone would really be a great idea. Having something to remind you of your tasks from time to time would really be helpful. For some, notes on a corkboard does the trick; there are also some others that like to use post-it notes and stick them on their computer monitor to constantly keep them reminded. It really does depend on which you think is most effective for you. 

Third, you need to give yourself a break sometimes. As I just mentioned earlier, being in one place for a very long time can be very unhealthy. If you feel like you are getting tired, don’t deprive yourself of a break. You can go out with some officemates for coffee or step outside your home office and get some fresh air in the garden. Taking breaks can help you recharge your mind.

Surround yourself with people that will motivate you instead of put you down. The people you work with can make just as big an effect on you as your workspace. If you constantly hang out with co-workers that wait to the last minute to complete their tasks or constantly procrastinate, you will eventually be influenced by it and change the way you work. If you work at home, don’t forget about the other people in the house. Spend some quality time with the people that inspire you, this helps you keep that spark going and stay motivated. 

Last but not least, give yourself some credit. Every time you accomplish all the tasks in your to-do list, you ought to reward yourself a little something whether it be a good weekend on the beach or a date to the movies with your friends or your significant other. When you reward yourself even in the littlest ways, you have things to look forward to, ultimately giving you more motivation and pushing you to be better in what you do. 

Getting restless is normal with any work especially if it is one that you have done continuously for years. The routine can really get tiring but following the tips above can help you deal with that restlessness. 

AUTHOR BIO:

Jordan Nicholas Pizarro is an experienced SEO consultant and currently works from home as the Editor-in-Chief of Online JobSite Philippines and Outsourcing Exposed (www.outsourcingexposed.com) He can also be reached through his Google + account

 

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