Pay attention to what’s killing your productivity

Distractions. They’re everywhere. And for a lot of team members – they are deal-breakers. A study done recently by CareerBuilder shared the top productivity roadblocks in the workplace.

1. Cellphones/texting
2. The Internet
3. Gossip
4. Social media
5. Email
6. Co-workers dropping by
7. Meetings
8. Smoke breaks/snack breaks
9. Noisy co-workers
10. Sitting in a cubicle

If you’re ready to increase your value in your Credit Union, reduce your stress level and accelerate the member experience? Pay attention to these five strategies:

1. Own it. That is, take a look at this list and determine where you fall in terms of what’s keeping you from accomplishing your daily goals. If you think your phone might be a contender, try the Moment app. It tracks just how much you are on your device and allows you to set limits for yourself so that you start to step away from the 24/7 phone attachment and step into a lot more being present and productivity.   
2. Prioritize.  Be hyper-conscious to what is on your task list this week and prioritize, prioritize, prioritize. What five things absolutely have to get done first? What can you delegate? What is just a time-waster and not vital to your vision? Knock those first things out first.
3. Nix the Internet. Not for work-related productivity, but take a look at the Freedom app which blocks certain websites (including time-draining social media) and allows you to set controls so you can stay on task.
4. Time-Block. The top leaders are careful time managers. They purposely create space for tasks such as email review, for meetings, for social media, and even personal time. They set time (or as I like to say, fold time, so that they can work at their highest potential. Learn more about folding time here.
5. Be clear. In some of the most productive workspaces I know of, team members get creative about sharing when they are in focus mode. Clearly communicating (without being rude, of course) when you are in “do not disturb” mode is vital. Some have signs up when they are on prospecting calls for example. Others use headsets to buffer the noise around them and signal they are “in the zone”. What are some ways you can communicate that you’re paying total attention to the task in front of you?
6. Be mindful. Getting caught in a trap of office politics or gossip is bad for productivity, bad for business, and bad for your mindset. Make your workspace a no drama zone. Know that even if you’re not spreading the gossip, just participating makes you part of the unhealthy problem.

Pay attention to what’s pulling at you. What’s taking you away from bringing your best and brightest self to your Credit Union – and at home as well. Don’t let the deal-breakers get the better of you. Which of these strategies can you put in place today to change how you deal with distractions? I’d love to hear from you!

Want to teach your team how to effectively fold time and avoid distractions? Call me today to see how I can help!