Workers Knowledge (Who uses the mind, analyzes and suggests ideas) spends 58% of the day on repetitive and irrelevant tasks.Approximately 23 to 40 hours per working week.

These tasks include attendance Messages At workSearch for information, switch between different apps, manage shift priorities, or update job status.

The data comes from the “Work Anatomy Index” prepared by Asana, which specializes in management tools and work organization.

10,624 knowledge workers were interviewed to implement this reportAs is well known, those who perform tasks related to their knowledge: this includes a wide range of professions, ranging from consultants, creative writers or scientists to computer science. Basically it includes all the people who live by generating ideas; That is, whose main value is the ability to think of new solutions, analyze data, and define strategies.

The report emphasizes that constant messaging is one of the biggest distractions for these workers as they complicate their tasks and overshadow processes.

More than half of workers feel compelled to respond to messages immediately, while more than a third feel flooded with constant warnings.

Messages are especially annoying because they interrupt the clarity and focus they need to get the job done right.

48% of respondents think that messages could be limited if meetings were more effective and productive; And 45% think that having a clearly defined responsibility will have the same effect.

When each task has a clear owner, context and timeline, the job is done faster and less back and forth.

Both Generation Y (Millennials) and Generation Z suffer the most from the negative effects of messages, as highlighted in the report.

To address this situation, the statement emphasizes that employees should be allowed to use the mode “Do not worry” In this way, they can pause messages for a period of time or allow the calendar to allocate time blocks to focus on work.

Too many apps

Employees have a lot of tools and technology that try to simplify their tasks, but sometimes it has the opposite effect.. Too many disconnected apps, i.e. not connected to each other, produce the opposite effect because they make it harder to work and slow down.

It is recommended to use technological integrations to solve this problem So there is no need to duplicate assignments. Until then, it would be good to do an analysis to assess which tools are really important.

Sometimes it happens that for example, several communication channels are used to say the same word and it is an extra waste of time.

Too many meetings

More than half of employees complete other types of tasks during meetings, and only 43% participate in virtual chats..

In addition, more than a quarter are likely to miss some tasks and upgrades this year compared to last year.

Excessive meetings also have a negative impact on meeting dates. This is confirmed by 24% of respondents. If there were fewer unnecessary virtual meetings, they would have more time to complete the task on time.

This is solved by establishing really necessary and important meetings. In this regard, it is necessary to assess whether a meeting is necessary and also to thoroughly verify who to call in each case so that there are no people present at the meeting where information is shared that is not relevant to their tasks.

Absence of boundaries between personal and work life

Remote operation Or In hybrid format Which was reinforced by PandemicHe made several changes, including the challenge of establishing a clear line between personal and work life. Initially, the idea of ​​a home office worked a lot without the scheduling and supposed flexibility that was presented as an advantage, but eventually meant 24/7 availability, which is nothing more than a sophisticated way of extending the working day. Boundaries. Over time, job management has improved, but in many cases the boundaries are still unclear.

To address this issue, the report suggests that companies provide employees with start-up and end-of-day time. It is also noted that this slogan is also performed by managers; That is, they too guard these boundaries in order to set an example.

Imposer Syndrome and Burns

42% of respondents admit that they experience fatigue and Imposter Syndrome. The latter implies the feeling that some people have that job success does not belong to them, that they are not imposed, that they do not deserve it.

“Lack of clarity, excessive reporting and long meetings have real consequences that are not only disturbing but also directly contribute to these occupational hazards.. In particular, burnout and deception syndrome have a disproportionate effect on young employees, leading to low morale, poor communication, lack of involvement in work, more mistakes, and even high burnout. Every fourth worker experiences mental burnout four or more times a year, and 40% believe it is an inevitable part of success.

It is therefore recommended that companies generate structural changes Reduce repetitive tasks, avoid constant distractions, and establish clear workflows and schedules for employees. In particular, it is emphasized to set the pauses in the 3M frame

What is a 3M frame for setting breaks

The 3M framework includes three types of breaks: macro, meso, and micro (long, medium, and short) to completely disconnect from work stress. And restores energy. Something that is vital to achieving better tasks. Holidays that are full of complexity are neither fun nor comfortable.

“Disconnecting means communicating with the brain that no matter what chaos you are surrounded by, you are fine. Work is not the most important and you can choose to focus entirely on the other“, Emphasizes Dr. Sahar Youssef, a specialist in cognitive neuroscience, in a published report. It also clarifies that these breaks should be taken by employees in all hierarchies, including managers.

“In order to build a more supportive and enjoyable workplace, the spread of burnout and deception syndrome must be recognized and challenged. “In order for all employees to feel happier and more involved at work, companies need to help them see the big picture to understand how a valuable part of their work integrity is,” the report concludes.

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