The Covid19 Pandemic has changed how businesses operate, and employees work. The lockdowns and curfews implemented by governments worldwide led to the closure of workplaces leaving over 50% of people working remotely. Thanks to this opportunity, the corporate world now knows the benefits of remote working.
Many remote workers have stated that it helps them save money on daycare and the time used on long commutes. However, staying productive can also be challenging when you’re not in an office setting.
Here are 10 productivity hacks that will help you make the most of your time working on a computer.
1. Block Out the Distractions
One of the biggest challenges of remote working is staying focused when there are physical distractions everywhere in your workplace. You may be tempted to take a break every time you hear a notification from your email or social media accounts.
To combat this, try installing time-management apps on your computer or phone to track how much time you spend on specific websites and programs. You can then use this data to create blocks of time during which you will not allow yourself to visit those websites.
2. Set Goals for the Day
It can be helpful to set goals for the day before you start working. This will give you a clear idea of what you need to accomplish and help keep you on track.
One way to do this is to create a list of tasks that need to be completed by the end of the day. You can then use a PC timer app to estimate how long each task will take and plan accordingly.
Setting your daily goals every morning will help you focus and mentally prepare you for the job ahead. This increases your productivity and reduces wasting time.
3. Pin Important Applications and Websites to Your Taskbar
One of the best computer productivity tips and tricks is to keep the applications and websites you use most frequently pinned to your taskbar. This way, you don’t have to waste time searching for them on your desktop or in your Start Menu every time you want to use them.
You can also create folders on your taskbar for specific tasks such as “writing” or “researching.” This will further reduce the amount of time you spend looking for programs and websites. You can also use task management tools.
4. Use Keyboard Shortcuts
Many computer users are not aware of the keyboard shortcuts available to them. These shortcuts allow you to do things such as copy and paste text, save files, and close windows without having to use your mouse.
Learning a few basic keyboard shortcuts can save you a lot of time and frustration. You can find a list of keyboard shortcuts for your specific operating system online.
5. Use Multiple Monitors
If you have the luxury of using multiple monitors at work, do so. Having more screens will allow you to have more windows open simultaneously and thus increase your productivity.
You can also use different applications on each monitor to further increase your efficiency. For example, you can have one monitor dedicated to email while having another monitor open for research purposes.
6. Take Regular Breaks
It’s important to take short breaks throughout the day to give your mind and body a break from working. This will help you stay focused and productive when you return to your computer.
Ideally, these breaks should last around five to ten minutes and should be taken every hour or two. During your break, you can get up and walk around, drink some water, or eat a healthy snack.
7. Expand Your Desktop Space
If you’re working on a laptop, it’s likely that your screen is quite small. This can make it difficult to have multiple windows open at once without feeling overwhelmed and cluttered.
There are a few things you can do to expand your desktop space and increase your productivity. The first one is to use a larger monitor or external display. Another is to change the resolution of your screen so that everything appears smaller but you can fit more on one screen.
You can also use virtual desktops if your operating system supports them. This allows you to have multiple “desktops” which you can switch between, each with its own set of applications and windows open.
8. Keep More Apps on the Clipboards
If you’re like me, you probably have a lot of apps installed on your computer. This can be overwhelming and create a feeling that you’re not using any of them to their full potential.
One way to overcome this is to keep more apps on your clipboard. This means that the app will be open and ready to use but won’t take up any of your precious desktop space.
You can also use keyboard shortcuts to quickly open apps from your clipboard. For example, pressing “Ctrl + Alt + Tab” will open the task switcher and allow you to select an app from your list of open programs.
9. Use Automatic Updates
It’s important to keep your software updated so that you’re always using the latest and greatest versions. However, manually updating your software can be a time-consuming process.
You can avoid this by enabling automatic updates for your software. This will ensure that all of your programs are always up-to-date without you having to do anything.
10. Use Cloud Storage
Cloud storage is a great way to store files online so that you can access them from anywhere. This is especially useful if you’re working on a project that requires multiple files which are scattered across your computer’s hard drive.
You can use cloud storage services such as Google Drive or Dropbox to store these files and then access them whenever you need them. This will keep your computer’s hard drive free of clutter and make it easier to find the files you need.
Use the Above Computer Productivity Hacks
Using a computer for work can be a lot more productive if you use the right tools and techniques. By following the productivity hacks in this article, you’ll be able to increase your productivity and get more done in less time.
For more productivity tips, check out other posts on our website.
