productivity

Meetings and the “Two Pizza Rule”

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Pizza

For most of us, meetings are a part of everyday life at work. We meet to discuss projects, provide updates, and share information. It’s not something that most people enjoy. (Have you ever met someone who loved going to meetings? Me neither.) But they’re seen as a necessary evil. We hold meetings because they’re necessary… or are they?

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos is not a fan of meetings. He believes that they can often be a waste of time. So to ensure that the meetings that he attends are productive and worthwhile, he follows three guidelines:

  • He only meets with Amazon investors for six hours a year.
  • He avoids early morning meetings.
  • He practices the “two pizza rule.”

The two pizza rule, unfortunately, does not involve ordering and eating pizza at every meeting. (Darn it!) It means that meetings should include no more than the number of people who could be fed by two pizzas. (So I guess that means that meetings should include no more than four to six people? I’m not entirely sure. I, personally, can eat a lot of pizza.)

Meetings with a small number of attendees usually run more quickly and smoothly. It’s easier to stay on topic and avoid confusion. And they’re less disruptive. Since only a few key people need to be there, everyone else can remain in their offices and get work done.

Meetings can be tiring, distracting, frustrating, and unproductive. There are a lot of things that can be done to make them more effective. But the two pizza rule seems like a good place to start.

 

Connley, C. (2018, April 30). Jeff Bezos’ ‘two pizza rule’ can help you hold more productive meetings. CNBC. Retrieved from: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/30/jeff-bezos-2-pizza-rule-can-help-you-hold-more-productive-meetings.html

What to Do When You Really Need a Vacation but You Don’t Have the Time to Take One

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Woman_Thinking

Work can be tough sometimes. Heavy workloads, tight deadlines, and interpersonal conflict can make you feel stressed out, exhausted, and in serious need of a vacation. But what if a vacation just isn’t possible? What should you do when you need to get away but you can’t? Author Kat Boogaard offers three suggestions:

  • Change the look of your office – If you’re feeling stressed and unhappy whenever you’re sitting in your office, just the sight of your regular office décor might be enough to trigger negative emotions. So Boogaard suggests that you change things up by adding a new plant or picture, shifting your desk, changing your desktop wallpaper, or even working outside, if possible. She claims that the new look will give you a more positive perspective on things.
  • Adopt a new routine – Do you have a daily routine? If so, you might want to consider switching it up. According to Boogaard, changing your routine can help you to feel more focused and creative. She claims that doing something new (or doing the same things in a different order) can appeal to your desire for novelty and help you to be more flexible in your thinking. So instead of exercising in the evening, try exercising in the morning instead. Or instead of eating your lunch at your desk, try eating it in the office kitchen. Even a small change could have a positive effect.
  • Take a break – When you’re at work, take occasional breaks. Go get a snack, chat with a coworker, or take a short walk. Research has shown that these breaks will help you to be more effective and productive. In addition, in the evenings and on weekends, try your best to unplug. If possible, don’t work after hours or check your work email. Do something enjoyable and relaxing, and separate yourself from your job.

So there you have it. If you feel like you need a vacation but you just can’t get away, give one or more of these techniques a try. And please feel free to share your results in the Comments section below!

 

Boogaard, K. (n.d.). 3 ways to recharge when you can’t just “take a vacation.” The Muse. Retrieved from https://www.themuse.com/advice/3-ways-to-recharge-when-you-cant-just-take-a-vacation

Music: On Air

By in Learning, Living Well No Comments Tags: , ,

Enjoying_Music

A constant most of us have in our lives is music.

It’s on the radio we hear, the ringtone that sounds when someone calls, the commercials in between the TV shows we watch, and even the drumming of spoons on a table.

Truth be told, music can be made out of anything — your voice, the keyboard of the device you’re reading this off of, or even a cup.

Music can define who we are, and each culture often has their own style of music.

So I guess we can all agree that music is pretty great. But can it help you to work more effectively?

Studies show that music can absolutely make you more productive at work! Some general restrictions may apply, though.

For instance, unfamiliar music and music with lyrics are distracting. Both create curiosity in the brain, forcing listeners to shift their focus from the task at hand and focus more on what will come next or what the artist is saying.

But classical music (more specifically, Baroque) or ambient noise works rather well if you have more exacting work to do. There are no lyrics, so they work well when you’re just looking for something to fill the silence without it being too distracting.

Another good option is video game music. Just think about it. Video games require high amounts of concentration, and the designers want their music to enhance the players’ focus on the game without getting them too distracted. Video game music is designed for focus!

So, how does this work? How can music help us to work more effectively?

Here’s the science behind it:

When we listen to music, dopamine is produced all around the brain.

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, and is most often known for creating a “feel-good” state. Some call it a “happiness chemical.” When it’s released, it’s that feeling you get when you receive a present you always wanted or when you eat a piece of cake you’ve been eyeing. It’s like getting a reward.

So, that happy mood you’re in when you’re listening to music? That’s why you’re able to work better. You can thank dopamine for that.

All in all, there is ultimately nothing wrong with listening to music during work. Just make sure to choose your music genre carefully!  

 

Ciotti, G. (2015, Aug. 27). How music affects your personality. Help Scout. Retrieved from helpscout.net/blog/music-productivity/

Cooper, B. B. (2013, Dec. 6). The surprising science behind what music does to our brains. Fast Company. Retrieved from fastcompany.com/3022942/the-surprising-science-behind-what-music-does-to-our-brains

How to Write a Really Great To-Do List

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Making_ToDo_List

I kind of love to-do lists. They’re so helpful and gratifying. I use them to keep track of everything I want to accomplish at work. And then, as I get things done, I can cross things off the list (which is extremely satisfying).

But to-do lists can also cause problems, if used incorrectly. For instance, if you load up your to-do list with more things than you can possibly accomplish in a day or a week, you might be left feeling guilty and stressed. Or, if you’re addicted to crossing things off your list, you might focus on tasks that are easy and quickly accomplished, while putting off important tasks that might take longer.

So if you’d like to avoid these issues and make a really effective to-do list, follow these guidelines:

  1. Make your to-do list the night before – It will help you to start your day with purpose and direction! You’ll know exactly what you need to do when you wake up in the morning.
  2. Don’t put more than three things on your list – This will ensure that you focus on the truly important things that you need to get done. If this is difficult for you (because you feel like you have a lot of things swirling around in your head that you need to try to remember), make a second “brain dump” list on which you include everything that you need to do. Spend five minutes making this list, and then put it away. Then switch your focus back to your short, simple to-do list.
  3. Put the most important task at the top of your list – Prioritize the items on your list and put the most important task first. Then work through your items from top to bottom.
  4. Don’t discount the small things – Occasionally, you’ll have a task that seems small (like getting your carpets cleaned) but has been nagging at you for a while. If this is the case, make it a priority and put it on your list! Small things can sometimes become stressful and draining if you put them off for too long.

And that’s it! Try to keep things simple and prioritize. Now go forth and start making those lists!

 

Loder, V. (2014, June 2). Five best to-do list tips. Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/vanessaloder/2014/06/02/five-best-to-do-list-tips/#4c885aef651b

The Link Between Civility and Productivity

By in Communication, Leadership No Comments Tags: ,

Civility

I think we’d all like to work in a civil environment – the kind of place where people demonstrate consideration, appreciation, courtesy, and kindness. In a civil workplace, you feel respected and appreciated. You feel safe to share your ideas, and you know that your opinions matter.

And now research has uncovered another reason why workplace civility is important! Several studies have shown that it has a significant impact on employee productivity. When people are treated civilly, they’re more creative, engaged, and enthusiastic about their work. And they’re more likely to meet (and exceed) expectations. In contrast, when people are not treated civilly at work, they tend to focus on these negative encounters. As a result, the quality and quantity of their work suffers.

So be good to your coworkers and the people you manage. Not only will it make everyone feel happier and more satisfied with their work, but it will also make the entire organization more productive and successful!

 

Porath, C. (2016, November 23). Civility at work helps everyone get ahead. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from http://www.wsj.com/articles/civility-at-work-helps-everyone-get-ahead-1479917555

 

Want to Be Productive? Here’s Exactly How Long You Should Work.

By in Learning, Living Well 1 Comment Tags: ,

Clock

A recent study was done by the Draugiem Group (a social network service) to determine how long productive employees generally work before taking a break. And I kind of love the results of this study, simply because they’re so weirdly specific.

The researchers found that the most productive employees worked exactly 52 minutes before taking a 17 minute break. (No more, no less.) And they spent that break time doing things that weren’t work-related, or even computer-related. They weren’t reading emails or messing around on Facebook. They were walking away from their desks, talking to coworkers, or reading non-work related articles. They really gave themselves a chance to relax and recharge.

So what should you do if you’re interested in trying this technique? Well, it was suggested that you could set a timer for yourself, so you know when you’ve worked exactly 52 minutes. But if that seems a little extreme, here are a few other suggestions:

  • Take regular breaks during the day.
  • Be realistic about what you can accomplish in one day. Don’t overschedule yourself.
  • Try not to get overwhelmed by the number of things you need to accomplish. Prioritize your work. Get the most important things done first. The less-important things can probably wait a bit.

 

Evans, L. (2014, September 15). The exact amount of time you should work each day. Fast Company. Retrieved from https://www.fastcompany.com/3035605/how-to-be-a-success-at-everything/the-exact-amount-of-time-you-should-work-every-day

 

Feeling Exhausted? Here’s What You Should Do.

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SleepyWork

We all have our tired days. If your life is stressful and hectic, or if you didn’t sleep well the previous night, exhaustion can set in. And when you’re tired, it can sometimes be difficult to be productive (and fully conscious) when you’re at work.

So if you find yourself in this situation, here are a few things to try:

  • Be very specific about what you want to accomplish. When you’re tired, it can sometimes be hard to keep yourself on track. So having a detailed list of what you want to get done that day can be very beneficial.
  • Drink a lot of water. When you’re dehydrated, it’s even harder to concentrate. And even though coffee and soda can provide you with a jolt of energy, they’re a temporary fix. Drinking water throughout the day should help you to maintain your focus.
  • Get up and move around. Wake yourself up by standing up, taking a walk around the office, or just stretching at your desk. Any form of exercise can be very energizing!
  • Try to avoid distractions (even more than usual). When you’re tired, it’s easy to get sidetracked. A quick glance at Facebook can turn into a long scroll through your friend’s vacation pictures. Make things easier on yourself by avoiding distractions altogether.
  • Work on tasks that are easy and straightforward. If possible, save the demanding, challenging tasks for another day when you’re more rested.

 

Hale, A. (2010, March 1). How to work when you’re tired. Forbes. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/2010/03/01/tired-energy-work-forbes-woman-time-business.html

 

Creating an Effective Workplace in Just Two Steps

By in Leadership, Learning No Comments Tags: , ,

HappyWorkTeam

Do you want your team to be effective and productive? Experts suggest that it may not be as complex as you might think. In fact, it may involve just two basic steps:

  1. Provide your team with the skills they need to succeed. Ask your team members to answer the question, “What can I provide that other people will love?” Once they arrive at an answer, have them act on their ideas by asking more questions, doing the necessary research, talking to people who might be able to help with their ideas, improving on their ideas, and then implementing them. These basic skills can result in some amazing innovations!
  2. Praise your team members when they do a great job. Give people the recognition they deserve. Be sincere and praise them often. It will improve your team’s moral, inspire them, enhance their feelings of loyalty, and motivate them to do even more great things.

And that’s it! Provide people with the skills they need and recognize the good work that they do. By following these two simple steps, you can help your team become empowered, innovative, and successful.

 

Sturt, D., & Nordstrom, T. (2016, January 22). Want to be a successful 21st century workplace? Start here. Forbes. Retrieved from: http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidsturt/2016/01/22/want-to-be-a-successful-21st-century-workplace-start-here/#75e2464c186e

 

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