Productivity is considered taboo at many workplaces. Don’t be misled. This is not exclusive to government jobs only. Being results-driven myself, I can spot a lack of productivity in high paying as well as low paying jobs, corporate and small business environments, even in the non-profit sector.
Why is it that people experience guilt, pain and all kinds of stuff over their productivity?
I believe that there are 3 major reasons why this happens.
1. You don’t manage productivity tools well
Productivity tools were designed to save us time and keep us organized and productive. Instead, they became tools that are eating up our time, leaving us disorganized, stressed out and overwhelmed. Let me give you an example. Do you remember a time before cell phones? I do. There were less interruptions and less disconnect. Yet, we still managed to stay connected and talk to each other.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not against technology or progress. I LOVE technology, especially my iPhone and iPad. And I am totally in love with productivity apps like Evernote. Yet, what’s important is to set boundaries and manage your tools well, or your tools will start managing you, and it won’t be pretty.
2. You don’t manage abundance well
There are too many tasks, too many projects, too many shoes, too many devices, too many books, too many options, too much information and instead of focusing on what’s important you most likely get overwhelmed, and stay overwhelmed. It always surprises me to see how many people lack such basic skills like prioritizing their goals, projects and daily tasks. If this is you, I have good news! Managing abundance is a learned skill. You too can learn it if you choose to do so. It might require some work at your end, you might need to change some habits, but it’s doable.
HINT: You can’t eliminate the amount of stuff coming your way, but you can change the way you deal with what comes.
3. You don’t manage time well
This is the cherry on the top. You’re wasting your time on the tools you don’t manage well, on projects that aren’t important or necessary, but you also allow other people to steal your precious time. Whether it’s a team member who has an emergency due to a lack of planning or a boss who needs your help while your family suffers or your family member who’s needing your help because ‘you are home’, not understanding that this is your business time.
One way or another, when we live without boundaries, it comes back to bite us. We lose the momentum and get less done. Our productivity goes down, stress levels go up and our lives turn into a mess. Is it time for you to say ‘Enough is enough!’
To learn more about how to change your current status quo and get more done while lowering the stress level you’re experiencing, join me and other high achievers at my IMPACT ACADEMY, a place where we make things happen. Get ready to turn this year into your best year yet!
