3 Notorious Productivity Killers and How to Fight Them (Infographic)

Have you ever experienced your concentration being disrupted at work, only to struggle to get back into the groove for quite some time? Perhaps you find yourself procrastinating when faced with a major responsibility instead of tackling it head-on.

Productivity is not always easy to achieve. It requires channeling your energy effectively and getting into the right mindset where you can fully focus on the task at hand.

Interruptions, procrastination, and inaccurate plans are among the most detrimental productivity killers out there.

Unexpected interruptions, procrastination, and team members failing to meet their responsibilities can all have a negative impact on your productivity. However, there is hope.

You can learn to navigate around these productivity killers and still maintain a high level of productivity. How can you achieve this? Read on to find out.

How to Stop Productivity Killers from Affecting Your Work

Productivity killers can significantly hinder your work efforts, especially in today’s work environment where the traditional 9-5 workweek no longer applies. Most workplaces expect employees to complete their daily tasks before logging off. Allowing any of the aforementioned productivity killers to infiltrate your workspace can lead to extended work hours and increased time spent in the office.

Here are some tips to help combat these productivity killers:

1. Filter through and prioritize the interruptions coming your way

Studies show that we are interrupted every 8 minutes on average, causing us to lose focus and waste time. By categorizing incoming interruptions based on urgency, you can address them more effectively. Sort interruptions into Urgent and Important, Urgent but Not Important, Not Urgent but Important, and Neither Urgent nor Important, and handle them accordingly.

2. Get to the root of why you procrastinate and address those issues

If procrastination is a problem, identify the reasons behind it, such as feeling overwhelmed or unmotivated. Break tasks into smaller, manageable chunks, remind yourself of their value, and take regular breaks to maintain productivity.

3. Plan projects in stages

Encourage project managers to divide projects into phases with milestone deadlines. Collaborate with your team to ensure that each phase is completed within the set timeframe, leading to a successful project completion.

Proactively Fight off Productivity Killers

The best approach to dealing with productivity killers is to proactively prevent them. Establish boundaries to prevent interruptions from colleagues when you are focused on work. Schedule breaks for productivity and prioritize tasks based on urgency. By taking these steps, you can enhance your work productivity.

Need More Tips?

For additional tips, check out this infographic by Wrike project management tools: