Three ways your environment can kill—or boost—your work productivity.
If you’re wondering why you’re not as productive as you aim to be, your work environment may be affecting your focus. Today, I will share how I optimized my work environment to boost my productivity.
Many of you might be familiar with the book Atomic Habits by James Clear. The book outlines four components of every habit: cue, craving, response, and reward. The cue is what triggers the action, making it incredibly important. Our environment, whether it’s our home or workplace, is full of cues that influence our behavior. To boost productivity, we need to create an environment with positive cues that encourage us to stay focused, such as:
- Physical cues. Identify physical items that encourage you to be productive. For example, I use a large jug of water as a reminder to stay hydrated. In your workspace, remove clutter that distracts you and ensure your tools and technology are set up and ready to use. This minimizes delays and keeps you focused.
- Relationships and interactions. Evaluate the people around you. Are they encouraging productivity or causing distractions? Have honest conversations if necessary and ask for uninterrupted time to focus on work. Surround yourself with positive and supportive individuals who help you stay motivated.
“Your work environment plays a huge role in your productivity and success.”
- Mental and emotional cues. Pay attention to your mindset and mental triggers. What thoughts or feelings lead to procrastination? Recognize these patterns and find ways to shift your focus back to productivity. Often, these mental cues are tied to your physical environment, so adjusting your surroundings can help improve your mindset.
These tips are a great way to maximize productivity, but most importantly, you have the freedom to choose your work environment, just like what I did when I joined my current team. This was one of the best decisions I made in my career.
I would love to chat with you more about how you can maximize your productivity to achieve your goals. Feel free to reach out to me at 907-354-8307. I look forward to hearing from you!