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    Productivity Tips You Probably Haven't Considered Before
    09 Aug 2017Sharpening Your Skills

    Productivity Tips You Probably Haven't Considered Before

    by Sean Silverthorne
    Want to be more productive at work? These recent studies from Harvard Business School researchers offer tips on everything from organizing work flow to paying attention to the weather.
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    Source: rawpixel

    Hit a wall trying to increase your productivity?

    Recent research by Harvard Business School professors might help. The following articles address some basic questions: Should we deal with easy tasks first? Do employees know better than management about scheduling work-flow? Does taking breaks help or hinder getting things done?

    The researchers also address questions you've likely never considered, such as how weather affects productivity and why collaboration may make you less able to solve problems.

    Hiding From Managers Can Increase Your Productivity

    Decreasing workplace transparency can increase productivity.

    Why Productivity Suffers When Employees Are Allowed to Schedule Their Own Tasks

    Deviating from an organization’s prescribed task schedule tends to erode productivity, even among the most experienced workers.

    Blue Skies, Distractions Arise: How Weather Affects Productivity

    Studies show that workers are more productive on rainy days than on sunny ones. Does your office take advantage?

    Need to Solve a Problem? Take a Break From Collaborating

    Organizations spend a lot of money enabling employees to solve problems collectively. But inducing more collaboration may actually hinder the most important part of problem-solving: actually solving the problem.

    Reflecting on Work Improves Job Performance

    Taking time to reflect on work improves our job performance in the long run.

    Related Research Papers

    Research Paper: Task Selection and Workload: A Focus on Completing Easy Tasks Hurts Long-Term Performance

    Employees facing increased workloads usually tackle easier tasks first. This study shows that it happens because people feel positive emotions after task completion, yet it could hurt long-term performance.

    Research Paper: The Microstructure of Work: How Unexpected Breaks Let You Rest, but Not Lose Focus

    Work breaks are usually considered as a necessary evil—inevitable but nonproductive. This study shows that properly structured breaks maintaining employee attention can actually yield post-break improvements in performance.

    Are you an extremely productive person?

    Share some of your getting-work-done secrets in the reader comments section below.

    Post A Comment
    In order to be published, comments must be on-topic and civil in tone, with no name calling or personal attacks. Your comment may be edited for clarity and length.
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