Workplace Productivity Terms

verb to achieve or complete something successfully

• The team was able to accomplish their goal of increasing sales by 20%.
• I finally accomplished finishing that difficult assignment.
• She totally accomplished acing that test!
• With hard work and determination, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.

noun a state of being bored; lack of interest or excitement

• Boredom can often lead to decreased productivity in the workplace.
• I always feel a sense of boredom when I have nothing to do on the weekends.
• I was so bored out of my mind during that lecture.
• Boredom is like a dark cloud that hovers over me when I have nothing to occupy my time.

noun A fastening device, such as a clasp or hook, used to secure two loose ends

verb To apply oneself with determination; to focus and work diligently on a task or goal

• In order to complete the project on time, we need to buckle down and focus on our tasks.
• Hey, let's buckle down and finish this assignment before the deadline.
• It's time to buckle down and get this party started!
• When faced with a challenge, it's important to buckle down and work through it with determination.

noun work that is unnecessary or trivial, often used to keep someone occupied or appear productive

• The students were assigned busywork to keep them occupied during the teacher's absence.
• I hate doing all this busywork, it's such a waste of time.
• I'm so over all this busywork, it's driving me crazy.
• Her mind was filled with busywork, leaving little room for creativity or innovation.

noun a device used to measure and indicate time

verb to record the time at which one arrives at work by using a time clock

• Employees are required to clock in at the beginning of their shift.
• Don't forget to clock in when you arrive at work.
• Make sure to punch in when you get to work.
• She always seems to clock in right on time with her witty remarks.

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun, in this case describing something that lacks organization or order

• The company's filing system was incredibly disorganized, making it difficult to find important documents.
• My room is always so disorganized, I can never find anything!
• Her backpack is a total mess, it's so disorganized.
• His thoughts were so disorganized that he couldn't articulate his ideas clearly.

noun the effort or strength put forth

verb to put forth effort or strength

• In order to achieve optimal results, one must exert maximum effort in their studies.
• I really need to exert myself if I want to finish this project on time.
• Dude, you gotta exert some serious hustle if you want to make it in this industry.
• She felt like she was exerting all her energy into a black hole, never seeing any progress.

verb to fail to keep up with something or someone

adverb to be in a position that is not as advanced as others in a competition or race

• The company's competitors are advancing quickly, and we cannot afford to fall behind.
• I need to study harder or I'll fall behind in my classes.
• If you don't keep up with the latest trends, you'll totally fall behind.
• She worked hard to stay ahead in the race, never wanting to fall behind.

noun a person who engages in idle or frivolous behavior

verb to waste time or procrastinate

adverb in a careless or lazy manner

• It is important to stay focused and not goof off during work hours.
• Let's goof off and watch some funny videos instead of doing work.
• I just want to goof off and chill with my friends tonight.
• Sometimes it's good to goof off and take a break from the seriousness of life.

verb to spend time aimlessly or to dawdle; to loiter or idle in a leisurely manner

• The employees were reprimanded for lollygagging around the office instead of working.
• Stop lollygagging and help me with these groceries!
• Quit lollygagging and let's get this party started!
• She felt like she was lollygagging through life, not making any progress towards her goals.

noun the action of delaying or postponing something

adjective procrastinative (related to procrastination)

• Procrastination is often seen as a barrier to productivity in the workplace.
• I really need to stop procrastinating and start working on this project.
• I keep putting off studying for my exams, I really need to kick this procrastination habit.
• Procrastination is like a thief of time, stealing away precious moments that could be used more effectively.

noun a state of being tired or drowsy

• The sleepiness caused by the medication made it difficult for the patient to stay awake during the day.
• I can't shake off this sleepiness no matter how much coffee I drink.
• I'm feeling so zonked out, the sleepiness is hitting me hard.
• The sleepiness of winter enveloped the town in a cozy blanket of quiet.

noun a schedule or list of planned events or activities, typically with dates and times

verb not applicable

adjective not applicable

adverb not applicable

pronoun not applicable

preposition not applicable

conjunction not applicable

interjection not applicable

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• The university provides students with a detailed timetable of classes for the semester.
• Hey, have you checked the timetable for our next game?
• I totally forgot to check the timetable for the concert, I hope I didn't miss it.
• Having a good timetable for your day can help you stay organized and productive.

noun the Hawthorne effect - a term used to describe the phenomenon where individuals modify their behavior or performance in response to being observed

• The Hawthorne effect refers to the phenomenon where individuals modify their behavior when they are aware that they are being observed.
• People tend to work harder when they know they are being watched, that's the Hawthorne effect.
• When the boss is around, everyone suddenly becomes more productive - it's like the Hawthorne effect kicking in.
• Just like how a plant grows taller when you pay attention to it, employees often perform better under the influence of the Hawthorne effect.

noun the act of using work time on the internet for personal activities

• Cyberslacking is a serious issue in many workplaces, leading to decreased productivity.
• Stop cyberslacking and get back to work!
• I caught you cyberslacking again, you need to focus on your tasks.
• Cyberslacking is like throwing away valuable time in the digital world.

noun A person, place, thing, or idea.

verb A word that expresses an action or a state of being.

adverb A word that modifies or describes a verb, adjective, or another adverb.

• Afterworking hours, employees are expected to complete any outstanding tasks.
• Let's grab a drink afterworking today.
• I'm so tired afterworking all day.
• Ideas often come to me afterworking on a project for a while.