HEARD IN THE LUNCHROOM

Can I Get That to You on Tuesday?

Why tackle today what you can put off until … Tuesday? In a new survey, 57 percent of executives polled by Robert Half said Tuesday is the most productive day of the week for employees. Monday, the second most popular answer, received just 12 percent of the response.

Here are some tips to maintain productivity throughout the week:

• Make a plan. Spend 10 to 15 minutes at the beginning of each day mapping out your desired accomplishments. Prioritize the tasks that are most important to the business.
• Sharpen your focus. People are more productive when working for an extended period in the same mental mode, as opposed to changing gears frequently. Try to cluster tasks that require similar effort or resources in the same time frame.
• Limit distractions. It can be tempting to review e-mail each time a message arrives. However, unless your job requires an immediate response, it’s often best to check your inbox periodically throughout the day.
• Don’t delay. Even peak performers occasionally put off working on unpleasant or overwhelming assignments. One effective way to overcome procrastination is to break a project into smaller, more manageable tasks.
• Recharge. Taking short breaks throughout the day can help you replenish your energy and fight fatigue.

Laugh Your Way up the Corporate Ladder

A good sense of humor can be a professional catalyst. How? Here are a few ways levity can help your career:

• People enjoy working with you. Using humor is one of the best ways to enhance your relationships with others. Working with someone who’s fun to be around feels good and tends to make the day go by more quickly. When people enjoy themselves, it builds rapport and camaraderie among team members.
• You think more creatively. Comedians are observant and look at the world a little differently than most, seeing things a lot of people overlook. This allows them to see humor in everyday items and situations. If you exhibit a good sense of humor, it’s likely you’re fairly creative, are able to approach challenges from different angles and have an open mind.
• You help relieve stress. You’ve probably heard the phrase “Laughter is the best medicine.” This advice is especially true on the job as well. The workplace gets stressful, and humor is very effective at relieving that tension. If you are able to feel at ease during pressure-filled situations, you’re more likely to work through the task at hand in an efficient manner and help others who are frustrated by the challenge overcome it.

Heard in the Lunchroom^SM is provided by Robert Half, the world’s largest specialized staffing firm and a leading authority on workplace and management trends.  For more information, visit www.rhi.com.