Practical Productivity
I’m sure we can all agree that there’s no shortage of articles on personal and professional productivity. From science-backed methodologies, to “hacks”, to quick, prescriptive check-lists, to verbose tomes, this is an issue everyone thinks about and strives to improve. There’s no shortage of resources, and most of them are very insightful and actionable. Do a Google search for “be more productive” and you’ll see 37,000,000 results. But sifting through those isn’t going to help your productivity. We all need get practical about being productive.
Productivity, which is really the output of being productive, has been a common thread through my career. Like many of you, I’ve had to balance and prioritize many simultaneous projects, multiple clients, bosses, and employees (and let’s not forget personal responsibilities). And, of course, sifting through all those methodologies and hacks and trying them out myself.
But, before we start trying out some methods, there’s a mindset you need to cultivate. Productivity approaches are like fingerprints … they are as unique as the individual. The same approach doesn’t work for everyone so you have to architect a productivity plan that works for you. The productivity articles that focus on the top things world famous CEOs do, crack me up. I love Richard Branson, but his personal productivity tips aren’t really going to work for you … or me. Also, you need to understand that improving productivity is a process … it doesn’t happen like the flip of a switch. Downloading the latest top app won’t make you productive overnight.
Here’s my advice. Take it. Adapt it. Have fun experimenting with it.
1. Task lists will actually make you less productive
Stop writing down everything you need to do in a linear list. Prioritize those things so you are working on what’s most important and not getting distracted by the less important ‘issues of the moment.’ Check out principles such as “Porter’s 4 Corners” or the Eisenhower Method” for ways to prioritize.
2. Stick with it!
Like a food diet, you’re excited and committed when you first start. The true test of whether a productivity approach works for you is down the road. Stay the course and you’ll see improvements as time goes on. Do not look for the ‘quick fix’.
3. Be personally productive
Much of the content about productivity relates to the workplace. But you mustn’t ignore the personal. These days, work/life balance is out and work/life integration is in. Factor your personal (family and self) ‘to-dos’ and that way you’ll feel more in control of your entire life and not just the work-life.
4. Find the right tool
There are so many apps and tools out there that Apple has a category just for productivity! The trick is to find just one that works best for you. After trying out a few, I now use Priority Matrix. (although my wife likes Wunderlist for our grocery shopping).
Finally, a good way to think about how to be productive both personally and professionally is to think back to the moments when you were very productive. Why were you productive then and not now? How can you take elements of that time and apply it and make it a habit that makes you productive day in and day out?
This article will no doubt join the millions of productivity articles on Google now, and if you're truly being productive you won't need to read this a second time.
