Earlier this week, we established that busy and productive are not the same.
We likely all concluded that we would rather be productive than busy.
That sounds easier than it really is.
We need to push against the enemies and embrace the friends of productivity.
Enemies of Productivity
There are many things in our environment and in our minds holding us back. When we focus on productivity, we need to push against these enemies.
- Procrastination.
- Lack of boundaries – saying no to other things.
- Poor estimation of the time needed to complete a project.
- Long stretches of deep work drain energy.
- Distractions stealing our focus.
- Back-to-back meetings.
Friends of Productivity
On the flipside, productivity also has some friends. These strategies can help us organize and set ourselves up for success in increasing our personal performance.
- Clear understanding of goals and deliverables.
- Organization and prioritization of your tasks.
- Knowledge of your energy levels and best work times.
- Grouping similar work together for smaller tasks.
- Scheduling breaks.
- Focusing on quality, not quantity.
My Perspective
Moving from working busy to working productive is a journey.
We need to practice and try different techniques.
Over time we will start to see our schedules opening and our work becoming better.
More creative.
Your Turn
Are your days primarily busy or productive?
Which of the enemies are most prevalent in your work?
How can you better leverage the friends to put you on the path to productivity?