Do you have the vocabulary to talk about productivity at work?
Today Lindsay and Michelle will share phrases for describing your productivity at work.
Lessen the load
Lindsay asks Michelle if she tries to finish tasks all at once or does little pieces of a task.
Michelle replies that she is a multitasker so she does pieces of multiple tasks at a time.
Her brain wants to do everything all at once.
Lindsay shares that she struggles with doing things one at a time.
She prefers to focus on one thing and makes sure to accomplish it in one go.
Put a dent in something
In today’s episode, Lindsay and Michelle talk about a useful expression regarding productivity.
They are going to discuss the phrase ‘put a dent in something.’
This expression means you are trying to get something started and reduce the amount of work that is needed.
You can imagine a literal dent, like one made when cars collide.
If you put a dent in something, it is a deep and visible change.
Putting a dent in a task does not mean you’ve finished it.
Instead, it means you got a big chunk of the task or project accomplished.
Productivity in the business world
There are many useful ways to say ‘put a dent in something’
But for today, Lindsay and Michelle will focus on using it to talk about productivity because it’s great for the business world as well as outside of the workplace.
Here are some examples on how to use it:
- I’m going to work on the guest list, but can you take some time and put a dent in the agenda while I work on that?
- Wow I’ve been working all day on this project, but I don’t think I’ve even put a dent in it!
- I’m so glad we took extra time to put a dent in the report. At least we don’t have as much to do tomorrow.
Start talking about productivity
Discussing productivity with your colleagues is a good way to build strong rapport.
You can also find opportunities to help each other or get help from your workmates.
Today we’ll share additional phrases to start talking about productivity.
#1: Chip away
This means getting things done slowly over time.
Compared to making a dent, chipping away at something is smaller progress.
Example:
Let’s start to chip away at this project. Maybe we can meet once a week for the first month and bump things up as the time gets closer.
#2: Scrape the surface
This is used when there is a lot of work that needs to be done for a certain project.
We say this when we’ve started to make progress on a small portion of it.
You can use this to mean that you are far from finishing something in spite of doing a lot already.
Example:
We’ve barely scraped the surface. We have so much more to do!
#3: Get it/this done
This is a direct way of saying something will be done or needs to be done.
Example:
We just need to get this done. We may need to work late tonight.
Roleplay
Here is a quick roleplay from Lindsay and Michelle using the tips and phrases used in today’s episode.
This will give you a better understanding of how to use these in an English conversation.
In this scenario, Michelle and Lindsay are staying late to work on a project.
Michelle: Man! I’m tired.
Lindsay: I know! We have been working so hard on this, but I feel like we’ve barely scratched the surface.
Michelle: I know. Well, if we just finish this section I think we will have put a good dent in it. I’ll feel productive then.
Lindsay: Agreed. Then we can start to chip away at the meeting agenda for next month.
Michelle: Good idea. Maybe we just get it done. Then we don’t have to deal with it later.
Lindsay: Okay, let’s order dinner then. It’s gonna be a long night!
Why share your progress?
When it comes to getting things done, sharing your progress helps to share what you’ve accomplished.
It also gives you a way to share any challenges you’ve faced.
This opens up opportunities for teamwork.
Your colleagues may offer to chip away at different parts of a project, or share when they’ve put a dent in something significant.
Takeaway
Today’s episode helps you to talk about productivity at work using phrases that keep conversations engaging and effective.
These phrases can help you be more transparent about your work productivity.
By adding this to your English vocabulary arsenal you’re not only inviting collaborative conversations, you’re making stronger connections as well in the workplace.
Check out other Business English episodes for great vocabulary to use in the business world.
Listen to episode BE 349: Amazing Alliteration: Commit These Sticky Phrases to Memory to make more connections at work.
Do you tend to chip away at tasks?
Share your thoughts in the comments below!
