Are you falling into the productivity trap?
Many of us have a seemingly endless to-do list and feel bad if we don’t spend every waking hour on it. We’re also supposed to go to the gym, spend time with family and friends, learn a new skill and complete our chores.
We ultimately burn out because we’re in a loop. Instead of focusing on productivity, focus on what matters most. If you believe that’s impossible, here are five ways to make it happen.
- Admit you can’t do it all.
According to Michael Woodward from Psychology Today, entrepreneurs are naturally inclined to determinedly wear several hats, which makes perfect sense: your company is your child, and you want to be involved in its growth.
If you know the fundamentals but lack the abilities to teach your child how to play an instrument, or excel in a sport, you hire a coach. The same should be true for your small business. Unless you’re an economist or IT developer, delegate. Want to save time on administrative duties? Assign them to a helper. If you have the resources and despise chores like cleaning, outsource them.
You may still learn about your company but focus on the things that make you happy and help you achieve meaningful objectives.
- Know when to say no.
We overschedule when we always say “yes”. We’re also prioritising others’ needs above our own. If you start to be late or miss deadlines, you become more agitated and perhaps untrustworthy. Instead, answer requests for your time more carefully.
Be concise, straightforward and honest. If you’re interested but don’t have time, suggest another day.
- Stop comparing yourself.
Don’t try to get up at 3:45 am just because Tim Cook does. Instead, consider what you can learn from Cook’s regime.
Consider Elon Musk’s claim of 80-100 hours each week. Musk’s work ethic is admirable, and it takes effort to get where he is today. However, working more than 50 hours a week reduces productivity.
Don’t discount productivity visualisations and expert advice. You may attain relevance and success in your chosen career without exhaustion or forsaking other aspirations. Push yourself to your limits, but not to the extreme.
- Move on
Achieving your objectives gives you a great adrenaline boost. It also reverses the Zeigarnik Effect. According to research, unfinished jobs are remembered more than completed duties.
Blue Tree Clinic CBT psychologist Hadassah Lipszyc believes interruptions and procrastination may lead to unfavourable cognitive habits. They may disrupt sleep, cause worry and drain mental and emotional energies.
This may occur while working on more demanding tasks. Not doing something because it’s on your schedule or to-do list may be better than forcing yourself to do it. To build momentum, take a walk to clear your head.
- Examine your routine.
Do you think what you’re doing makes sense? Examine your present activities to evaluate if you’re productive or just busy. Is your practice or production stagnant?
Those in a hurry frequently prioritise extras. For now, you can rearrange your priorities and reassess your values. What’s currently on your to-do list? How will you add and subtract?
Avoid these productivity traps:
- Taking every new task or opportunity.
- Trying to handle many things.
- Easily persuaded by external stimuli.
- You work long hours and yet wonder where the day went.
Productive people plan and improve their routines. The time-saving techniques below can be customised to your specific needs.
- Quality over Quantity
- Prioritise actions and initiatives that contribute to the bigger goal.
- One task at a time.
- Identify and avoid distractions.
- Make a routine around your most productive times.
Remember that you are not required to follow anyone’s plan to the letter. You’ll discover what works best for you if you experiment. The most essential thing to remember is that work does not always have to come first. Keep a healthy perspective and prioritise your life.