It’s early February and Nebraska just survived Snowmageddon 2016. Some of us bunkered down inside, while others faced the storm head on and plowed our streets. In a winter storm there is anticipation, obstacles, celebration, and the aftermath. Interestingly enough, these same components occur for us on a regular basis, but in a different setting. In a normal workday we go through these same obstacles. This winter analogy encourages productivity and even gives a few tips on how to take your day from an uncontrollable blizzard to a pretty and successful snowfall.
Before the Storm: We all felt the anticipation before the storm hit. The news anchors were broadcasting about it, posts were circling Facebook, and everyone was predicting how much snow would cover our city. Many of us made a special trip to the grocery store to stock up on snacks and bottled water before the storm began. We checked flashlights for batteries and ensured the snow blower was gassed up. Preparing for the work day is just as important as preparing for winter storms. Making a to-do list is imperative to organizing your day. The more specific your tasks are the more successful you will become. According to fastcompany.com, if you write a to-do list of vague tasks you may end up with decision fatigue and become exhausted before you even begin! As a recruiter, it’s important to give myself specific goals –20 calls for this job order, another 20 calls for a second job order, etc. When there are specific tasks to complete, time is used more efficiently. If we are not prepared and a power outage occurs in a winter storm, things go from fun to overwhelming and chaotic. Without a to-do list at work, your day may quickly fall into a chaotic mess of emails, calls, and frustration.
The Eye of the Storm: Halfway through the storm Mother Nature needs to catch her breath and the snow stops falling and the wind dies down. For us in the office, this time is known as lunch. However, according to a survey taken by Right Management, only one in five people actually step away from their desks for lunch. There are “fires” to put out and countless tasks to complete, but it is imperative to take that hour (or even a half hour) to rejuvenate for the afternoon that lies ahead. Why is lunch so important? According to Best Health, taking a break from work, even for a short time, leads to better concentration and higher energy levels throughout the afternoon. A lunch break provides an opportunity to get some fresh air and put work on the back burner. When individuals change their scenery throughout the day, creativity also increases. As difficult as it may be, stepping away from the computer for lunch has a larger impact than most people realize. In the long run, employees who take their lunch are more satisfied at work than those who skip lunch.
Wind: Snow is one obstacle, but when wind is added to the mix things get a whole lot messier. The wind can be viewed as the tasks that distract you from your original to-do list. These are the “fires” you put out on a daily basis — payroll wasn’t processed correctly, a client has a complaint that needs to be addressed ASAP, or compliance is completely out of whack. These are all examples of tasks that shift our original focus and make our work day messy. It’s important to complete these tasks, but try to regain focus as soon as possible. The further you deviate from your original to-do list, the harder it will be for you to return to it. Remember…that list is there to help increase your productivity!
Warm Clothes and Hot Chocolate: Although there are things that make storms messy and frustrating, there are things that make storms better, even FUN (can you say hot chocolate and marshmallows?)! At work, co-workers help you through the craziness of each workday. They are there to support you when things get tough. They give an extra hand when it’s needed and they keep you laughing when frustration is at an all-time high. Without them, the day would seem impossible and your motivation would quickly diminish. A study conducted by Harvard Medical School shows that you should never forget to thank your co-workers as gratitude and recognition helps create stronger relationships!
End of the Storm: After the storm is over, we look out our windows to assess the damage (and do a celebratory dance when there’s a SNOW DAY!). During this analysis, we set the plan for the future — shoveling must come first and then we can research how many inches we got while drinking our hot chocolate. At work, it is important to take a few minutes at the end of each day to assess how the day went. According to a Harvard Business School professor, Francesca Gino, if individuals take time to reflect on their work performance they feel more motivated and perform better. Certain questions can help organize end of the day reflection: Was your to-do list completed? If not, what is still left on there? How can you ensure it gets done tomorrow? Ending the day with these questions helps jump start your to-do list for the next day and it brings a renewed motivation to improve the following day.
Snowmageddon 2016 left us snow covered and chilly, but don’t end up covered by unproductive days at work. Use the tips above to assist you in making your day more productive, and as a result, more successful. Writing a to-do list, taking a short break, and reflecting on your day takes time, but the payout could be HUGE! So take a sip of that hot chocolate, grab a pen, and begin your journey into productivity!
Kaitlyn Grashorn
Kaitlyn joined AurStaff in April 2015 following her internship in the Training Department at C&A Industries. She started as an Operations Assistant and now is a Recruiter. She enjoys meeting candidates and helping them find a position where they can grow and learn new skills. Outside of work, she loves teaching dance at Acapriccio Dance Company, working out, and spending time with friends and family.
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