A global poll conducted by Monster reveals that nearly one in four respondents (22 per cent) feel the lack of one extra hour of shut eye can have a negative impact and make them feel less productive on the job. In contrast, over a quarter (27 per cent) of respondents say moving the clocks forward in springtime makes them much more productive at work. While 40 percent of respondents aren’t bothered by the change either way, saying they notice no difference at all.
“To help maximize productivity levels when the clocks change and throughout the year, it’s important to do a few things in preparation for the time change,” said Mary Ellen Slayter, Career Advice Expert for Monster. “First, anticipate the change by getting up and going to bed at your usual times. Second, to get the most out of your time at work, try to do your hardest jobs – those requiring maximum concentration and peak efficiency – at those times of the day when your attention and energy levels are highest. Finally, it sounds simple, but eating well can really impact on your productivity.”
Monster, the worldwide leader in successfully connecting people to job opportunities, asked visitors to its site the question, “Does setting the clock forward in springtime affect your work productivity?” and received nearly 2,000 responses. International findings included:
- I feel much more productive – 27%
- I feel slightly more productive – 11%
- I feel no more/less productive – 40%
- I feel slightly less productive – 9%
- I feel much less productive – 13%
Breaking down the numbers by region, over 43 per cent of North America respondents did not see a difference in productivity versus those respondents in Europe where only 35 per cent answered the same. About 41 per cent in Europe were more productive versus almost 37 per cent of North American (US and Canada) respondents.
Monster.co.uk has put together some top tips for helping stay productive at work if you’re struggling to stay focused:
- Anticipate the change: On the Sunday morning that the clocks go forward, try to get up at your usual time, rather than having a lie-in. In addition, be strict on your bed time on Sunday night. It’ll make getting up for work on Monday morning easier as your body will already be adjusting.
- Avoid caffeine where possible: It’s all too easy to reach for the coffee when we’re feeling tired, but try to avoid caffeine as it may make it more difficult to go to sleep on Sunday night. Try a peppermint or ginger tea instead, plus some gentle exercise to increase your energy levels.
- Break the email habit: It may sound impossible in today’s digital age, but breaking the cycle of email addiction can make you more productive. Try restricting yourself to checking email once every hour, rather than every five minutes, or set it to a suitable time period based on your company culture.
- Boost your blood flow: Instead of reaching out for that caffeine or sugar fix, try changing the scenery and environment. Going for a short afternoon walk can help clear your head and wake you up for those remaining hours of the day. If you have any work related errands to run outside, even better; it gives you a chance to stretch your legs while still checking off some tasks on your daily routine.
- Feed your brain: It sounds simple, but eating well can really impact on your productivity. A good breakfast including wholegrain and protein sets you up well for the day. Keep lunch light and wholesome to avoid an afternoon slump, and make sure you’re well stocked with healthy snacks like fruit, vegetables and nuts.
- Break it down: By breaking a big task into manageable steps, setting a timetable for doing each step, and chipping away at the project, you can accomplish almost anything - and with a lot less stress than by trying to do it all at once.
The results of the current Monster Global Poll are based on votes cast by Monster visitors from: February 4-18, 2013. Only one vote per user is counted toward the final tabulation. The Monster Global poll, a product of Monster, the premier global online employment solution and flagship brand of Monster Worldwide, Inc., is a series of online polls that gauge users’ opinions on a variety of topics relating to careers, the economy and the workplace. These polls are not scientific and reflect the opinions of only those Internet users who have chosen to participate.