Big productivity killers at work and how to avoid them

You can choose your own adventure while you're at work; you can either start that big project or check your Facebook first. Tough choice, right? While it's tempting to take advantage of technology's vast supply of entertainment, communication, and information sources, minor sidetracks could end up costing major time. While employers are taking measures to cut down on productivity killers, you can find ways to work smarter — not harder — and avoid wasting time on the job.

Organize and prioritize

Organizing your space can help you mentally reset and tackle your tasks. Having a cluttered workspace can make for a cluttered mind, which can prevent you from focusing and completing your tasks. If you find that you're unable to focus on the tasks at hand, take a look at your space. Spending five minutes a day to reorganize or declutter your space can make a huge difference.

Going hand-in-hand with organization is prioritization. Lay out your game plan for the day or week, as this can provide you with direction in moments when you're wondering what to accomplish next. This can also boost your productivity, as you have more direction in what item to complete next instead of hopping from task to task.

Limit interruptions

Incoming calls and co-workers dropping by to chat about their weekend can break your concentration and eat up time. Finding ways to limit interruptions can dramatically improve productivity without sacrificing the important relationship-building time that comes with calls and co-worker chats. Here are some ways to limit interruptions during the workday:

Block out some focus time on your calendar.
Mute your email or instant messaging notification during your focus time.
Put on noise-canceling headphones when needed.
Speak up for your time when peers come for idle conversation.
Respond to messages and conversations when you're able to instead of placing your task on hold to respond.

If you're working on a big project and want to avoid common distractions at your desk, block off a conference room or another workspace to focus on your tasks. Read emails at intervals instead of opening each one as soon as it comes in to prevent constant task switching. Another idea is to request a hybrid work schedule, allowing you to focus and work at home when needed.

Avoid unnecessary meetings

Meetings are a part of the working world, but that doesn't mean they're all necessary. Accept essential meetings, such as weekly stand-up meetings, manager one-on-ones, or department meetings. Other meetings, including those that can be taken care of with a phone call or those that fall in windows where you need to deliver key project items, might be rescheduled or canceled altogether. Don't be afraid to speak up for your time and productivity. A polite email to the organizer can help you eliminate unnecessary meetings or reschedule ones that work for everyone attending.

"While employers are taking measures to cut down on productivity killers, you can find ways to work smarter — not harder — and avoid wasting time on the job."

Get personal on your own time

With technology at your fingertips, it can be tempting to scroll on your phone or call a friend when you have some downtime. However, this can easily bleed into overuse, resulting in a downturn in productivity. To help avoid the temptation, try to keep your phone in a spot that's not easy to access while at your desk. Put time limits on your digital device usage to help you better manage your time and focus. Your lunch hour, break time, or after work are also ideal times to focus on personal items.

Communicate wisely

Everyone is on their own timelines and deadlines, so communicating wisely and with intent can help keep everybody productive. If you have a question that can wait, consider sending an email or instant message instead of making a phone call to allow the other person to respond in their time. On the flip side, you don't need to spend a chunk of your day crafting an email that goes to the person two cubicles down. Stopping by for a quick question and then leaving allows you to get your answer while also respecting both of your times.

Don't delay the inevitable

Everyone procrastinates at times, which can be a major productivity killer if you continuously find other things to do instead of your higher-priority tasks. Procrastinating may stem from not enjoying the project or being overwhelmed by the sheer size of the task. The first step in avoiding procrastination is to reflect on why you're delaying the inevitable in the first place. Once you find the root cause, you can address it and move forward.

If you're unable to focus because the project has many moving parts, separate it out into other smaller projects or tasks. This can help you overcome the overwhelmed feeling and improve productivity. If you find yourself dreading the project, consider handing it off if you're able to. If you can't do that, set goals for yourself to keep you motivated to complete the project.

There are many productivity killers in the way, no matter the workplace, role, or company. Learning some methods to avoid productivity killers can help you stay motivated and engaged with your work. If you're looking for a job that excites and keeps you productive, upload your resume on CareerBuilder and start job searching.