Most employers are more interested in employing productive workers than mere clock punchers - which may leave you wondering why you're working so hard when other co-workers who don't spend half as much time at the office walk away with all of the accolades. Not to mention that you probably have a life outside of the office that could use a little attending to as well. So how do you spend less time at the office and still get it all done? You focus on personal productivity and streamlining.
How does that work? Think about the following tips. They're the key to increased productivity. If they aren't in your daily work routine, then you know exactly where to start. And not only will it be more satisfying for you, it's more satisfying for your employer.
Increasing Productivity:
- Purge. Before you begin to even think about being more productive you must get rid of all the clutter surrounding you. Go through every piece of paper sitting on your desk or in your office and make a decision - file it, toss it, or take care of it. But get it off of your desk.
- Set priorities. Keeping a daily to-do list may feel like it's cramping your style, but it's the best way to determine what really needs to be done. Prioritize your list and work on the most important projects first - breaking them down into smaller increments if need be. Then you won't be scrambling to meet deadlines. It will also help prevent details from falling through the cracks, leading to later panic.
- Know your internal clock. At what time of day do you feel the most energetic? Determine when you feel most productive and work on important projects at that time. That way, you won't waste several hours trying to focus. During your personal "down" time, work on more mundane tasks that don't require as much energy.
- Learn to delegate. Do you take on tasks that could easily be delegated? If your to-do list is overflowing on a regular basis, determine what's really necessary. Don't make more work for yourself than you need to.
- Completion is key. Lots of people have trouble following through on projects and end up with a variety of half-completed tasks - which only leads to greater stress and frustration and a tendency to procrastinate. Knock out your projects one at a time - perhaps dealing with the most dreaded task first. Completion is a great motivator and will help you become more efficient.
Implementing these steps won't necessarily cut your workload, but they will improve your performance and leave you with energy to enjoy yourself outside of work - which is vitally important for a balanced, healthy life. 
