Despite Granny Ina’s apron-clad industry in the kitchen, Scotland’s productivity levels have taken a dip.
She may make enough buns, clootie dumplings and pots of soup to feed an army every week but official labour statistics show national productivity, measured as output per hour worked, declined 3.2% in the latter months of 2017.
Boosting productivity on a national scale is a complicated business but the more productive a country’s workers are, the more value they can bring to their employers and their entire nation.
Here at s1jobs we reckon our personal productivity levels are up there with Luxembourg, the country that tops the global rankings.
But if yours have gone loco down in Acapulco (sadly, Mexico ranks bottom), here’s what we suggest.
Enjoy a mini-break
Sadly, not a weekend in Amsterdam but a short break during the working day to rebalance, refocus and recharge so your concentration and energy levels don’t waver. Sometimes a screen break or a few minutes scheduled away from the assembly line can be just what’s needed to move from frazzle to fizz.
Step away from the phone
We’re slaves to the dings and buzzes on our phones and every alert diverts attention from the tasks at hand. Statistics show the average worker now checks their emails about 15 times a day but that figure is probably much higher.
Aside form the obvious danger of playing with your phone in a busy production or manufacturing setting, by the time you’ve responded to all of the messages, that’s a lot of wasted time.
Withhold the fun
If you have an afternoon coffee and cake break or like to use music to help you work, hold off on enjoying this ‘treat’ for a while longer. That way when your motivation really does start to flag, your playlist or cappuccino will give you a real boost.
Take the timely approach
Instead of allowing work to fit into a set timetable, do the opposite. By limiting the amount of time allocated for individual tasks, the chances are you’ll be more focused and motivated . . . and you’ll probably get more done.
Glass half full
Finally, one simple trick that’s easy to swallow: drink another glass of water. Health benefits aside, you’ll feel less like snacking, have more energy and stay more focused. Cheers!
Power ahead with the latest Production and Manufacturing vacancies from s1jobs.