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Achieving efficiency at work can sometimes be as simple as clearing the clutter from your work area. A disorderly work area is a work area that can hinder your productivity. If you're constantly struggling to find specific tools or documents in a mountain of clutter, serious work time is being wasted. Only keep items that you use daily out and about - everything else should be squirreled away where it's out of the way but also quickly. If you work in an office, arrange your office space and desk so that you can quickly and easily find whatever you need to work. If you don't work in an office, the same principles still apply. For instance, if you work in a bike repair shop keep your tools clean and organized so that you'll be able to find them instantly when you need them. Almost every work area benefits from being kept clean. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b0\/Lose-Belly-Fat-Fast-%28Women%29-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Lose-Belly-Fat-Fast-%28Women%29-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b0\/Lose-Belly-Fat-Fast-%28Women%29-Step-11.jpg\/aid1068185-v4-728px-Lose-Belly-Fat-Fast-%28Women%29-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class="mw-parser-output"><p>License: <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/">Creative Commons<\/a><br>
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<\/p><\/div>"} Office workers and other people who handle large numbers of documents should create a filing system that is logical and organized. Keep documents that you use frequently close at hand. Stash other documents according to alphabetical (or some other logical) order. Make sure that you have the supplies and tools needed to do your job. In an office, this means you should have things such as hole-punches, staple removers, calculators, etc. at the ready. Outside of an office setting, the tools are different, but the fundamental principles are the same - have the things you need to work effectively before you have to start working. Scientists working with complex graphing applications and mechanics working with socket wrenches will both benefit from having their tools prepped and ready beforehand. This also means to make sure you have a good supply of whatever consumable supplies your job requires - staplers need staples, carpenters need nails, teachers need chalk, etc. Ensure your tools are well-maintained. One essential broken tool can bottleneck the rest of your work flow if you can't proceed without it! Save time in the long run by spending a few moments periodically to clean and maintain your tools. If you've been flying by the seat of your pants so far, making any sort of effort to plan out your day will probably increase your working efficiency. To keep a truly effective schedule though, limit yourself to one comprehensive planner (optionally supplemented with one calendar in your office or cubicle for long-term objectives.) Don't needlessly complicate your work by keeping more than one schedule or by scrawling out a huge collection of notes that you'll inevitably lose. You want to be able to look in one specific place to see what you need to do. Organize each day by creating a "to do" list. Begin with the highest priorities of the day so that they are most likely to get done. Put less important tasks at the end the list. Start at the top of the list at the beginning of your work day. If you do not complete the list by the end of the day, tackle the uncompleted items the next day. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cd\/Be-More-Efficient-at-Work-Step-03Bullet01.jpg\/v4-460px-Be-More-Efficient-at-Work-Step-03Bullet01.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cd\/Be-More-Efficient-at-Work-Step-03Bullet01.jpg\/aid1068185-v4-728px-Be-More-Efficient-at-Work-Step-03Bullet01.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class="mw-parser-output"><p>License: <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/">Creative Commons<\/a><br>
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<\/p><\/div>"} Set a time frame and deadline for your most important projects, and be realistic about the length of time they will take. You don't want to set yourself up to fail - it's better to ask for more time at the start of a project, rather than right before it's due. Different work places have different distractions - some jobs may come with a particularly talkative coworker who just won't leave you alone. Others might be oppressively silent, causing you to get distracted by even the quietest noises. Do what you must to make sure you can stay focused on your work. If your job allows you to safely listen to music, take an MP3 player to work with you. You might even consider posting notes at your work station notifying coworkers not to distract you. It might seem rude, but it's not - it's a reasonable and effective method to get people to leave you alone while you're working. Remember, you can socialize to your heart's content during breaks and meals. One very common distraction is spending time on recreational internet sites. One study showed that about two thirds of workers waste at least a little time on websites not related to their work every day. Luckily, most browsers allow you to download free productivity aids that allow you to block problem websites. Search your browser's extension store for "website blocker" or "productivity aid." You're likely to get at least a few free, effective results. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d8\/Be-More-Efficient-at-Work-Step-04Bullet01.jpg\/v4-460px-Be-More-Efficient-at-Work-Step-04Bullet01.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d8\/Be-More-Efficient-at-Work-Step-04Bullet01.jpg\/aid1068185-v4-728px-Be-More-Efficient-at-Work-Step-04Bullet01.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class="mw-parser-output"><p>License: <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/">Creative Commons<\/a><br>
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<\/p><\/div>"} Other good ways to avoid distraction are by screening your calls (to avoid needless telephone conversations) and minimizing drop-in meetings. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a4\/Be-More-Efficient-at-Work-Step-04Bullet02.jpg\/v4-460px-Be-More-Efficient-at-Work-Step-04Bullet02.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a4\/Be-More-Efficient-at-Work-Step-04Bullet02.jpg\/aid1068185-v4-728px-Be-More-Efficient-at-Work-Step-04Bullet02.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class="mw-parser-output"><p>License: <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/">Creative Commons<\/a><br>
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<\/p><\/div>"} Oddly, breaks can increase, rather than hinder your workplace efficiency. First, breaks offer you much-needed rest. Without this rest, you may become fatigued, working more slowly or with less proficiency. Second, breaks give you a chance to deal with your distractions. Use your breaks to do everything that might otherwise take you away from your work. Do you find yourself daydreaming about a relative you've been meaning to call when you should be working? Call them on your break, eliminating your distraction!
Keep a clean, orderly work space. Keep your workplace well-stocked. Keep a consolidated schedule. Eliminate your personal distractions. Use breaks to handle personal business.