Productivity Slumps and What to Do About Them – TPW463

Productivity slumps will happen (we're human) but there are things we can do to bounce back Recently I read an article published on Forbes.com about the fact that workplace productivity “plummets” on Mondays. I found the article interesting and started looking into the research on what the article referred to as “productivity slumps”--periods of low productivity. One article I read on Linked In described a productivity slump as a time when we spend more time thinking of what we need to do (but not doing it) than the time it would take to do the task. Another described it as a time when “You can feel a lack of creativity, physically tired, mentally distracted, or emotionally undervalued. Essentially, it’s just a severe lack of motivation. You’re probably in a slump if you’ve noticed your productivity and ambition decline.”  Interestingly, a lot of the materials I came across as I was researching this topic had to do with business productivity in a global sense. An article published on Inc.com described statistics regarding U.S. worker output, noting recent years have shown a huge drop in U.S. worker productivity--the biggest slump since 1947. According to the Forbes article, “Mondays and late afternoons are the worst days for stress, productivity and motivation.” A poll cited in the article found that 35% of the respondents said they’re most productive on Tuesdays and 39% say Wednesdays. Furthermore, the poll results found that 9 - 11 a.m. are the most productive hours, and 3 - 5 p.m. are the least productive.”  Productivity slumps can occur at certain times of day or days of the week, as discussed in that Forbes article, or they can be longer stretches. Either way, avoiding productivity slumps is crucial for maintaining consistent performance and achieving long-term goals, whether personal or professional. Here are some strategies to avoid or overcome these downturns: 1. Identify the cause  * Is it physiological--due to physical exhaustion, hormonal imbalance, hunger, dehydration, or illness? Are you recovering from childbirth or surgery? Do you need to get a checkup with your doctor?  * Is it emotional--are you in the midst of, or just coming out of, a difficult time dealing with grief, worry, fear, or other strong emotions? Are you distracted by something--or many somethings--on your mind?  * Is it burnout--are you experiencing work overload, or have you just finished an extremely busy period professionally or personally?   * Is it overwhelm--either too much to do, or impostor syndrome--a lack of confidence regarding your ability to do the things you need and want to do?  * Is it loneliness? Especially those of us who work remotely, including moms at home with young children, a sense of isolation and loneliness can lead to a productivity slump. 2. Address physiological issues  * Exercise regularly. Physical activity can boost mood, energy, and cognitive function. Even a short walk can make a difference.  * Eat healthily:  A balanced diet with proper nutrients can provide the energy you need to stay focused and productive.