10 Insights on Productivity and Being More Creative at Work

5 minute read

Upland Admin

Finding ways to maximize productivity at work is not a new challenge, but the types of distractions that suck up time are ever-changing. Countless meetings, chatty co-workers, a packed email queue, never-ending social media updates, and web-surfing all cut into your day more than you think—draining creative energy and billable time.

The trick is being able to tell the difference between the limitations of the work itself, your own rusty time management skills, and finding a way to stay personally engaged in your job.

If you notice the day flies by and the pile of work on your desk just gets bigger, it might be time to re-think what you really need to be productive and feel fulfilled at work.

Distractions

Employers say cell phones and texting kills employee productivity by 50%. Tweet This! 

A smart phone is a handy little distraction that’s always with you. Alerts from text messages or personal apps consistently pull attention to your phone and take you out of the moment. To improve focus, put your phone on mute or vibrate during the work day or designate a set a time every few hours to check it.

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employers say cell phones kill employee productivity

57% of interruptions at work come from social media tools or switching between applications. Tweet This!

When workflows and processes stink, productivity tanks. It’s important for employees to communicate challenges they have with internal systems and serve as an active part of the solution. It also helps if employees are aware of their own work habits, including the best times of day to manage certain tasks based on their personality and putting limitations on social media interaction if it becomes a time suck.

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Only 8% of full-time employees work less than 40 hours. Nearly 4 in 10 say they work at least 50. Tweet This!

Leisure time is slowly disappearing in a longer and longer work week. Employees also work from home after hours and on weekends. A never-ending cycle of connection to work is a fast way to burn out, which leads to more sick days and less engagement at work. Creating a more balanced workload takes communication between employees and bosses, and clarity on expectations and timelines.

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75% of people voluntarily leaving their jobs are actually quitting their bosses. Tweet This!

People are people, and sometimes we just don’t get along—but that’s why it’s so important for companies to hire for a skill set and a “culture fit.” Creating teams of personalities that collaborate well goes a long way in keeping people happy and inspiring new ideas that grow business while helping employees stay engaged and fulfilled by their work. Making sure management positions are filled with people who enjoy fostering strengths in others also creates powerful teams that get work done more easily.

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Employee Engagement

Highly engaged employees are 38% more likely to have above-average productivity. Tweet This!

People may love parts of their work, but let’s be honest, they have a job because they need one. Part of keeping people engaged is making sure they are interested and invested in the work they do. The other part is making sure they feel appreciated and valued for all the ways they keep their team and the business humming along. Not sure how get employees more engaged? Ask. Each person has a different set of motivations that keep them engaged and their creativity flowing.

Highly engaged employees are 38% more likely to have above-average productivity

Companies that implement regular employee feedback have turnover rates that are 14.9% lower than for employees who receive no feedback. Tweet This! 

Who doesn’t work harder when they feel appreciated? Regular feedback offers employees a way to improve what they are already doing and stretch towards new challenges, but also demonstrates their employer cares about their success in a way that feels rewarding. When people are clear on what’s expected of them and creativity is rewarded, everyone wins.

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70% of Forbes’ Global 2000 companies will use gamification to boost engagement, retention, and revenues. Tweet This! 

Incentive goes a long way when it comes to getting people engaged in certain tasks at work. A spirit of competition created through gaming can bring a bit more excitement and momentum to reach goals or give employees a new reason to focus. Changing certain tasks into a game and making it more fun overall can also help increase revenues and improve employee retention.

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93% of employees who volunteer with their company also report being happy with their employer. Tweet This!

Shared personal values go a long way when it comes to being happy at work. Businesses actively demonstrating that they care about things beyond the bottom line inspire employees and provide a way for staff to connect with the company on a personal level.

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The top driver of employee engagement globally is communication. Tweet This!

There are more millennials entering the work force—and they are setting the tone for employee engagement. Engagement can no longer be determined by the company alone. Businesses need to clarify what engagement looks like for employees in order to get them involved and invested. True engagement requires companies to align performance management, people management, learning and development, and rewards and recognition. Employees want to provide value and be valued.

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Companies with engaged employees outperform other companies by 202%. Tweet This! 

Investing in the development of a strong company culture has so many benefits, but the bottom line ROI is the clearest. Engaged employees are also more productive, 3X more creative and have the most entrepreneurial energy—and innovation is the icing on the cake.

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Companies with engaged employees outperform other companies by 202%

The game of business is changing and smart companies realize their biggest asset is people. As an employer you have a responsibility to connect and find ways to keep employees engaged in a way that’s meaningful to them. As an employee, polished communication and time management skills are the best way to stay focused while sharing helpful input to make work a place you can show up and engage fully.

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