Productivity doesn't just come from burning the midnight oil or swimming in a sea of sticky notes. Oh no, it’s a much deeper rabbit hole than that! Ineffective habits, negative attitudes, and other quirky behaviors can actually drag you down faster than binge-watching your favorite TV series. Trust me, I've had my fair share of Whoopsies and Uh-Ohs in the workplace. So, if you want to be the superhero employee of 2024, you'd better listen up.
First things first, it's not just about meeting deadlines and popping on your superhero cape. It's about addressing the subtle yet significant behaviors that can derail your entire day. One of the biggest hiccups in workplace communication is the infamous procrastination paradox. You know how it goes – you tell yourself it’s just a five-minute break which actually morphs into an hour-long snack fest. Or maybe you’re like my friend Bob who insists that cleaning his desk will somehow enhance his productivity. Spoiler alert: It doesn’t.
Lest we forget, we also need to talk about those pesky interpersonal faux pas. Many folks don’t realize how much their small quirks – like forgetting to return an email or widespread cellphone etiquette ignorance – can impact their professional standing. I once had a co-worker who never returned phone calls but was perpetually Instagram-ing his cats. Not surprisingly, he wasn’t promoted.
Another sneaky culprit is the battle of the attitude. Seriously folks, negativity spreads faster than wildfire. Your office might as well be the set of a reality TV show if the air is thick with bad vibes. This brings us to another section: attitude adjustment. The way you think and behave doesn’t just affect you; it can ripple through the entire office environment. And if you thought meditation was just for enlightened monks in 2024, think again! It’s actually a game-changer for your workplace demeanor.
Don’t even get me started on multitasking. Ah, the classic trap of trying to juggle too many tasks. You’d think we’re all part-time circus performers. Modern research suggests that switching between multiple tasks can actually reduce productivity instead of boosting it. Shocking, right? We'll delve further into this in our Myth of Multitasking section.
So, grab your coffee – and by the way, that’s another area we need to address: the caffeine addiction (stay tuned!) – and settle in for a fun, eye-opening read. By the end of this, you’ll have ditched those self-sabotaging habits and be well on your way to earning the ‘Employee of the Year’ award. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
1 Last in
Make sure that you are not always the last person in to the office in the morning. It will annoy your co-workers who think they are putting more effort in than you.
Frequently asked questions
2 Hangover
Under no circumstances should you turn up to work worse for wear after having one too many drinks last night. It’s completely unprofessional and will really rile your colleagues.
3 Desk Camping
Don’t just sit at your desk all day and shy away from taking on any extra responsibilities that might arise in the office. Always try to do that bit extra.
4 Staying Though You Hate It
There is no point staying in a job that you hate. It does no good for you and your colleagues will not enjoy the negative energy that your reluctance will create.
5 Guilt Working
Don’t stay late and work extra hours just because you feel guilty about your lack of effort during the day. If you need to work late, do it because you want to make a difference.
6 Silent Meetings
If you have to attend office meetings, don’t just sit in the corner and stay silent. Be confident and speak up about any ideas you might have to do with your work and your work environment.
7 Lunch Expenses
If you are lucky enough to be able to order lunch on a work tab, don’t take advantage and go for the most expensive options every day.
8 Avoiding HR
Don’t go out of your way to avoid HR. They are going to want to know a little bit about you, and being evasive will give a wrong first impression.
9 Social Media
Don’t waste half of your day on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or any other social media platform. Save that for your free time.
10 Sick Days
Be a little bit more resilient with your health and don’t take sick days just because you wake up with a slight headache; it raises questions about your commitment.
11 Boss Fear
Try not to treat your job like your school days. Don’t be afraid of your boss. See them as a peer who you can go to if you have any concerns.
12 Complaints
A bad attitude breeds a bad environment, so even if you have problems, keep your lunch break complaining to a minimum and instead channel your queries through official means.
13 Introvert
Don’t be one of those people that gets to work and has their head at their desk all day. Make a little effort to do some office socializing to keep a happy team together.
14 Gossiping
Fun conversation between colleagues is perfectly fine, but don’t cross the line in to co-worker gossip that could hurt feelings.
15 Procrastination
Don’t get caught up what is called ‘junk productivity’, where you spend all day completing a single task that means very little in the bigger picture.
16 Do You Have a Second?
This is a rather annoying thing to have to hear from a colleague, as nothing in the world only takes a second!
17 Skipping Socials
Don’t be one of those people who always skips out on office happy hour. Socializing with your peers is important for work moral.
18 Instant Messenger
You don’t need to be in constant contact with your friends throughout the day. Try to be more present in the work environment.
19 Over-Sharing
Though it is good to be friendly with colleagues, be aware that there is a time and a place for revealing personal information about yourself.
20 Clique
Come on, this isn’t high school. You need to be equally friendly with all of your co-workers. Don’t create any Mean Girls type cliques!
21 Mess
You are an adult so it’s about time you learnt to keep your desk and cubicle nice and tidy and professional!
22 Headphones
Don’t be one of those people who wears headphones 24/7. It’s completely unsociable and annoying to your colleagues.
23 Desk Lunch
Get a change of scenery and join your colleagues in the cafeteria for lunch. Don’t be a loner and eat at your desk!
