We all know that software developers have multiple tasks. Plus, with IT requests constantly increasing, they need every advantage they can get to find time to build new solutions. But in reality, it’s quite difficult to stay focused on work when there are equally important things that one can’t stop thinking about (like family issues, financial problems, etc.).
If you’re a developer and need a little break to recharge and be more active at work, you need to know that there are still plenty of ways to minimize distractions and improve your productivity. Today, we’re going to discuss with you some tips for improving productivity in software development.
Top Tips to Improve Developer Productivity
Minimize distractions
It’s hard enough to focus on one task for more than an hour. It’s even harder to focus if you add distractions like the internet or phone. To stay focused you need to remove items on your desk that can distract you. Also be sure to close all social media tabs (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) before work. If you find it difficult to do so, try apps that block websites to help you focus.
Arrange your desk
Keep your workspace clean and organized. If you have papers on your desk, make sure they are in folders and not scattered all over the place. If you work at home, make sure you keep your workspace clean too. Clutter can affect anxiety levels and make it harder for you to focus.
Setting realistic goals
No one wants to over-promise and under-deliver. It won’t make your team happy or productive. And it won’t help your customer relationships. Take a realistic look at what you have available and how long it will take you to accomplish it. If something isn’t urgent, don’t make it urgent by trying to get everything done at once.
Don’t multi-task
The biggest mistake any developer can make is not focusing on what they are doing. Multitasking, or trying to focus on more than one thing at a time, is a proven productivity killer. The brain is not wired to pay attention to two things at once. People who multitask are worse at filtering out irrelevant information than those who only focus on one task. Even more disturbing, multitaskers do worse at multitasking than single-taskers.
Take breaks
Remember, it’s important to take breaks at work. The Pomodoro Technique is a popular method for determining when you should take breaks. The basic idea is to take a short break after every 25 minutes of work and take a longer break after four Pomodoro (25-minute sessions). This technique helps make sure you don’t spend too much time on something that may not be productive.
