WHY SHOULD YOU WANT TO ENHANCE YOUR PRODUCTIVITY?

Finding that one compelling purpose…

The key to productivity begins with a fundamental self-inquiry: why should you want to enhance your productivity? Identifying a compelling reason, something that resonates with your values and offers a broader purpose, is at the core of it. Whether it’s a personal ambition, a career goal, a hobby, to afford things, personal fitness, a good relationship with your loved ones, or a desire to contribute to a larger cause and solve complex problems, this intrinsic motivation must be rooted in something meaningful to you. If your drive for productivity is merely to fit into an organization-led productivity drive, or just a casual New Year resolution, or to impress your boss and colleagues then the battle for true productivity is likely lost before it has even begun. Therefore, finding one compelling reason is the key.

BENEFITS OF ENHANCING YOUR PRODUCTIVITY?

Is it worth starting your personal productivity journey…

Increasing your productivity not only amplifies your daily output, but it also substantially reduces stress levels by fostering a sense of control and clarity over tasks at hand. This state of effectiveness induces a relaxed demeanour, clearly defining what needs to be done at any given moment. A significant aspect of boosting productivity is the enhancement of focus and the liberation of mental space. While a beneficial side effect of this transformation includes adding increased value to your work, the most profound advantage is the personal growth experienced through the journey towards becoming a more productive individual.

WHAT DOES PERSONAL PRODUCTIVITY MEAN?

The key components…

In its most fundamental form, personal productivity can be gauged by asking yourself at the end of each day – “Did I achieve what I intended to?” However, a more comprehensive definition of personal productivity could be the efficient management of resources to achieve the desired results. These resources can be classified into three broad categories: [1] Time [2] Self  and [3] Other

WHY AREN’T WE AS PRODUCTIVE AS WE ASPIRE TO BE?

Understanding the seven obstacles…

Achieving productivity, even when the intent is self-motivated and not externally imposed, is a formidable challenge. Several impediments can make the path to productivity steep and strenuous; some of them are outlined below:

Lack of clear first step: Despite having a general understanding of the tasks at hand, we often struggle to think critically about where to begin? Identifying that initial vital step, the action you should be taking now, which can set the momentum rolling is often elusive.

Inefficient task recall: Even when we know exactly what needs to be done, we fail to externally document these tasks. Relying on our memory with an ‘I’ll do it later’  & ‘I’ll remember it mentally’ often leads to tasks being forgotten or deprioritized. We drop the ball.

Digital distractions: As I pen this article, I am interrupted by calls and messages on my phone, not to mention the incessant email notifications on my laptop. In today’s digital age, carving out time for focused, deep work is a significant challenge. We all are experiencing these distractions on the daily basis, social media is overpowering.

 Low energy: Maintaining a consistent level of energy throughout the day is a common struggle. Lethargy can slow our pace, negatively affecting our productivity. Balancing work, rest, exercise, meditation, and proper nutrition is crucial for maintaining optimal energy levels.

 Underutilizing resources: We often overlook or underuse the resources at our disposal. This could range from technology and tools to human capital, like colleagues’ expertise or our networks’ wisdom, learning opportunities organization offers, or being good at what we are doing on daily basis by making best use of the available resources than whining about what resources we lack.

 A closed mindset: Maintaining a rigid mindset can be a barrier to productivity. Embracing change, welcoming feedback, being open to new ideas and collaboration, having less biases about people and processes, can significantly improve our problem-solving capabilities and productivity.

 Looking for short-term gratification: Lastly, our human tendency to seek immediate results or instant gratification can be a significant roadblock. Real productivity is often the result of persistent effort, some good habits,  and long-term planning, which gets overshadowed by our desire for quick wins.

HOW TO BOOST PRODUCTIVITY?

Six hacks to increase the odds of success…

1. A pen and a diary: A simple yet powerful tool, using a pen and diary allows you to convert every task into actionable steps. By breaking down tasks into manageable next action, which will help you keep moving in the right direction, you can eliminate overwhelm and have better control of things.

2.Rule of five: The Rule of Five involves completing all those action points, especially after writing it in your diary which can be completed within 5 minutes.  This helps to maintain a sense of progress and accomplishment, propelling you towards success.

3.Maintain a high level of energy: Productivity is closely linked to energy levels. Prioritize self-care activities, sch as getting enough sleep, eating nourishing foods, and engaging in regular exercise, to sustain high energy levels throughout the day.

4.Divide tasks into thinking and regular work: Different tasks require varying levels of cognitive effort. Categorize your work into tasks that involve deep thinking and those that are more routine. This allows you to allocate focused time for tasks that require concentration while accomplishing other tasks that do not require much thinking in between. Avoiding digital distraction is a must while completing the task which requires concentration.

5.Keep learning new skills: Continuous learning keeps your mind sharp and expands your capabilities. Dedicate time each week to acquire new skills, whether through reading, online courses, hands-on experiences or just by doing thought experiments to improve your understanding of things. These new skills can enhance productivity and open up new opportunities for success. Most importantly it is empowering that you are enhancing your knowledge, skills and overall understanding of important issues. You start adding more value in all areas of work, you start growing as a person.

6.Collaborate and synergize: Collaboration with others can amplify productivity and effectiveness. Engage in teamwork, seek out diverse perspectives, and leverage the strengths of those around you. Collaborative efforts foster innovation, efficiency, and the ability to achieve more than what can be accomplished individually. Hmm…but be aware that collaboration requires more energy that doing things on your own.

By implementing these hacks, you can certainly enhance your productivity. Remember to adapt and personalize these strategies to suit your own working style, life-style  and preferences. The one or in fact two things that I strongly recommend and are helping me the most in my own journey of enhancing productivity are – [1] keeping a pen and a diary and [2] keeping my energy level high by following certain practices as mentioned above. It looks so simple but expecting immediate results will make it less attractive and finally, we stop using them. And yes, even if some clear progress is made, we are stuck again to make that next jump in our personal productivity and that is why it is a difficult journey.

Last but not least, despite our best intentions, the reality of daily demands, unforeseen challenges, and the constant pressure to do more with less often leads to burnout and disillusionment. This cycle can undermine our confidence, exacerbate stress levels, and ultimately hinder our ability to perform effectively, both personally and professionally. Therefore, it’s crucial to approach productivity enhancement with a realistic perspective, acknowledging the challenges and developing strategies that are sustainable, balanced, and tailored to our unique circumstances and needs.

To summarise.. this journey requires the profound reason why should you want to enhance your productivity. When stuck, start afresh.. maybe buy a new pen and a diary or just a pair of running shoes. And yes.. as and when you make progress, even the small wins, do not forget to celebrate, maybe a trip to _____________(fill it for yourself) 😊.

Author

Pranav Kumar Chaudhary

COO