Read the scenarios in the rest of the lesson to learn strategies for overcoming the most common productivity pitfalls.

Productivity pitfall: Procrastination

The project is due tomorrow. You've had two weeks to complete it, yet you've waited until the last minute—again. Now, you're faced with spending the next several hours working late into the night.

Whether out of anxiety or lack of time, we've all put off doing something that needed to be done. But in the workplace, procrastination can really get you in trouble. You may never know when your manager or supervisor will drop by your desk to check your progress on a particular project.

Signs you may be prone to procrastination...

• You often find yourself putting tasks off.
• You work on more minor tasks to avoid working on the ones that are higher priority.
• You consistently underestimate the time it will take to complete things, so that you are left scrambling at the last minute.

To stop procrastinating at work...

• Create a to-do list and stick to it.
• Complete unpleasant tasks first.
• Decide which project-related tasks you can accomplish in the short term, and set a deadline for them.
• Decide which project-related tasks you can accomplish in the long term, and set a later deadline for them.

Productivity pitfall: Distraction

You arrive at work early in order to meet a deadline. Your coworker stops by your desk to chat, and before you realize it 40 minutes have passed and your deadline is fast approaching.

Distractions such as chatting with coworkers and surfing the Web for pleasure waste a lot of time at work. If you're not focusing on what you're doing, it's also more likely that you'll make mistakes or miss important information at meetings. Employers may see your distractibility as a lack of commitment to the job.

Signs you might be prone to distraction at work...

• You email and surf the Web instead of working when you're on a computer.
• You get distracted by noise while working.
• You socialize when you should be working.

To keep focused at work...

• Limit your trips to the break room.
• When others distract you, chat for a few moments, then politely tell them you are trying to meet a tight deadline.
• Avoid surfing the Web for pleasure while working.
• Create a to-do list and stick to it.

Productivity pitfall: Boredom

You have been steadily working on the same task for hours. You are bored, so you decide to call a friend on the company phone to chat.

Most people like to feel that they are contributing something to their work environment. Feeling bored and unproductive at work can lead to job dissatisfaction. Worse, if boredom leads you to act unprofessionally or avoid your assigned tasks, you could be fired.

Signs you may be frequently bored at work...

• You often daydream at work.
• You often find yourself counting the minutes until you can go home.
• You socialize or do nothing when you've finished a task, instead of finding something else to do.

To address boredom at work...

• If you truly have a lack of things to do, ask your supervisor to give you some projects.
• Be proactive. Seek out projects. Your manager or supervisor will appreciate it.
• Talk to coworkers about what they do. See if you can help or collaborate with them in some way when you have some downtime.

Productivity pitfall: Displaying hostility

Your coworker was supposed to prepare a report for your joint presentation on Monday. As usual, he arrives at work on Monday 15 minutes late, and without the finished report. Fuming, you yell at him in front of your team members and supervisor.

There may be cases where you have a legitimate problem with a coworker, customer, or boss, but acting openly hostile at work is unprofessional and can get you into trouble. It is also counterproductive since your supervisor will be less likely to pay attention to your concerns after witnessing an outburst.

Signs you may be displaying hostility at work...

• You often badmouth your employer.
• You frequently speak rudely to customers.
• You often speak angrily to your boss or coworkers

To avoid hostile behavior at work...

• If you are angry about something at work, make an appointment to discuss matters privately with your supervisor.
• Practice voicing frustration or anger quietly and productively. Tell the person you're speaking to what the problem is and what he/she can do to fix it.
• If you encounter anger or frustration in others, take a deep breath and calmly ask them what you can do to remedy the situation. Don't raise your voice. Call your supervisor if necessary.