“Busyness” does not necessarily denote productivity. The dictionary meaning of productivity is the ability to bring forth satisfactory, useful or worthwhile results. Thus, being fully occupied with a meaningful activity, work-related or not, does not signify achieving results. Think about it: You may be busy turning round and round at a spot, and after 15 minutes find that you are still at that spot or only a few steps away due to imbalance. Has progress being made at all or anything meaningful achieved? I think not!
In the last couple of years, I have learnt that productivity is much better than being busy – which is a no-brainer, really, but sometimes takes forever to learn! The way things are now globally, it would be wise to reduce our times of “busyness” while simultaneously increasing our productivity. Our “busyness” might make us look productive, serious and executive-like in the eyes of our friends, family and colleagues, but who are we fooling?
Here are a few suggestions that I have found useful for productivity.
- List and carry out your tasks in the order of importance. Focus first on the essential and important ones that only YOU can do.
- Don’t try and cram all your tasks into the one day! Do some re-scheduling.
- Identify the unimportant tasks that are can be postponed for another day and leave them for your day off. An example is window shopping during lunch time, especially when you are cash-challenged, or DIY chores at home.
- Delegate the ones that do not need YOU to handle, even some house chores to your older children and some office assignments to other capable staff members.
- Don’t leave tasks to pile up on you.
- Make good use of free times, e.g. times spent waiting to pick up your children
- Reduce times spent ‘gisting’ – whether on the phone or at the office canteen
- Do what you know to do best to de-stress because it rejuvenates you for better productivity.
- Use of modern technology to your advantage
- Listen to your body and take a break when you need to. It enhances performance and productivity
- Become an early riser and get some work done before the hustle and bustle of the day actually starts. You’ll find that you can get more done in lesser time.
- Learn to say a definite “no” to some tasks, favours, requests or engagements.
The above are in no way exhaustive, so if you have other suggestions, please email me on toluwani@exousiatraining.com . Your post may well save somebody’s life, business or marriage!