About 11% of people say they do their best work on Friday, with most people saying they’re most productive on Monday or Tuesday. But with weekend plans on the horizon, it may be more difficult to concentrate on the work at hand come Friday afternoon.
While it’s OK for an occasional Friday to be lighter than usual, you should still make an effort to stay focused and diligent for most of the day.
JiJi Le, a contributor for the Ink+Volt blog, has put together some ways you can stay focused when you feel your Friday productivity slipping. We outline her ideas in this issue of PromoPro Daily.
Channel your inner project manager. These professionals know how to juggle several things at a time, from deadlines to budgets to client requests. Le says they don’t rely on willpower alone to keep so many balls in the air – instead they use external systems and tools. Whether you get satisfaction from crossing off items on a physical to-do list or moving things to the completed file on a digital tool, thinking like a project manager can help you stay focused.
Take stock of what you need to do. You may have difficulty focusing because you’re unclear on priorities. This is when it can help to take inventory of what’s on your list and what needs to get done first. And remember, Le says, that not everything can be regarded as a priority
Create a focus ritual. For some people, this might look like shutting their office door and turning on some music. For others, it might mean lighting a candle to signify they’re beginning some deep work. The idea is to establish something that lets you know you’re moving from personal mode to business mode. This ritual can signal to your brain that it’s time to get down to work, Ye says.
Make time for play. Kids enjoy recess so much because it gives their bodies and minds a much-needed break. Adults need the same. You can’t be laser-focused all day, every day. Give yourself time to briefly check out, whether it’s taking a short walk, scrolling the news or chatting with a co-worker for a minute. Ye says it’s important to give yourself structured time for breaks, so that when it’s time to focus, you can be all in.
Go for a productivity sprint. Set the timer for 15 minutes and work with urgency, whether you’re going through your inbox, writing follow-up emails or decluttering your workspace. The point is to get as much done as possible in that limited amount of time, Ye says.
While Friday may never land the top spot for the most productive day of the week, there are still many ways you can make the most of the workday. If you feel yourself getting distracted, remember the tips above to rein yourself back in. You’ll thank yourself come Monday morning.
Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: JiJi Le contributed this post to the Ink+Volt blog. Ink+Volt is a Washington-based lifestyle brand.