As a field technician, you benefit greatly when you improve your productivity. Not only does it allow you to get work done more efficiently, but it also helps improve your self-control, helps you stay organized, and restructures your day for the better. Here are some easy hacks that you can implement to improve field tech productivity.
1. Easier morning
Your mornings define the flow and direction of your day. It’s essential to take advantage of this time, as it’s the most crucial part of your day. If you’re like most people, you have an alarm to wake yourself up. Once it goes off, your first instinct is to grab your phone and check emails. Instead, cut this habit and spend this time building your day. Stay off your phone until after breakfast. Take this time to write down your goals for the day or exercising to get your brain and body ready for the work ahead.
2. Keep up with the latest tools and technology
You’re well aware that the proper tool can improve your productivity, but how do you know what tools to look for? It’s vital that as a field tech, you stay up to date on the newest tools and technology. Communicate with sales reps, read Contracting Business, and go to trade shows. If you know what’s available, you’ll be able to do your research on what tools can help boost your productivity. Be sure to look into the cost, features, and reliability of the tool, and compare that to similar options.
3. Capture as much information as possible
You’ve probably heard “knowledge is power” and as cliche as it is, it still reigns true. We’re in the information age, and to become more efficient in any profession, you have to stay knowledgeable. This is especially true when it comes to being a field service technician. Be sure to define the questions you want the customer to answer, that way you can provide more meaningful reporting and analytics. Also, take notes throughout the process to gain as much information as you can.
4. Plan your schedule around energy levels
Only you know the times when you’re the most alert. Take advantage of these times and plan your most important tasks at this time. For example, if you’re the most productive between 9 and 10 AM, put your most essential tasks during this time. This helps knock out your most pressing responsibilities and frees up time for other tasks.
5. Schedule time to do nothing
As a field tech, you’re busy most of the time, and on-the-go often. As a result, it’s very easy to get caught up in everything you’re doing. When you don’t take time to relax and reevaluate, you can run yourself dry, and not perform well on the job. Block out 15-30 minutes in your calendar to break away from your responsibilities. Use this time to take a walk, read, or sit and think. This gives your mind and body and break and allows you to resume your tasks with renewed energy.
6. Follow the two-minute rule
As you go about your day, you’ll have short periods where you won’t be able to start on bigger tasks. If you have a task that takes less than two minutes, do it then. Take these small periods to do menial tasks that you won’t have to review later. In this time, you can check up on customers, update job details, or check your schedule and plan ahead.
7. No more multi-tasking
The days of multi-tasking are long gone, and we value our overall health and wellbeing more than ever. It’s tempting to take on many tasks at once, but this can leave you feeling burnt out. A study conducted at Stanford University confirmed that multitasking is worse than focusing on one thing at a time. When we consume a lot of information at once, our attention span is affected, and we lose our ability to recall information more effectively. So, do yourself a favor and focus on one task at a time. Less is more when it comes to being productive.
If you find yourself overwhelmed, tired, and not producing the results you want, try these hacks. As we venture into the new decade, cultivate new habits that can not only improve your productivity but produce effects you can see and feel while on the field.
