This guest post is by Joshua Noerr, of joshuanoerr.com.
Perform a Google search for “Increased Productivity” and you will be bombarded with thousands of tools, tips, tricks, and applications that will all claim to help you get more done. They will claim that using them will give you back X amount of hours in your week, and that you will have more free time to do what you want to do.
But what happens when all of that free time is spent managing all of the various productivity tools? This is what I like to call “shiny object syndrome.” You use something for a while, it either doesn’t work at all or works only marginally well, then you bounce to the next shiny new tool. I am going to make a bold statement, but I am very sure of it’s validity. Here it is:
Any system designed to help you be more productive is fundamentally flawed if it does not address your mindset.
The problem with productivity tools really is not in the tools themselves, but the mindset of the person using them. If you can put into practice a solid set of governing principles in your mind, it will not matter what tool you use. With the proper mindset, you can be the most productive individual on the planet with nothing more than a pencil and paper.
The following three points will help you install this mental framework.
1. Do less.
People think “productivity” is cramming more activities and tasks into an already busy day. This is not being productive; this is being busy.
The first key to having a sound productivity framework in place is understanding the difference between being productive and being busy. Generally, busy work will take a given period of time, and the results of that work will only last a short while.
Productive work will generally take the same amount of time, yet produce results for a longer period of time once set in motion.
Do not mistake this concept with prioritization. All prioritization does is assign a level of importance to your to-do list. You still end up doing all of the same mundane tasks. What I am encouraging you to do is discern the value of your tasks. If it is a low to no value task, why are you doing it at all?
2. Do the thing you don’t want to do.
Now that you have assigned value to the things you are doing, it’s time to start doing them!
Most people will save those tasks that, while valuable, are not fun to do. Procrastination is really just a fear of doing things that need to be done, but really aren’t that fun to do. Just because a task is valuable, does not necessarily mean it is going to be the highlight of your day.
If you are having trouble figuring out what to do first, I suggest you look at your list of tasks and find the one on there you want to do the very least. Chances are, this is the one that you need to attack first. The good news is you will know that your day will only get better because you took care of something that you didn’t want to do right at the beginning.
3. Learn to say “no.”
If you’re like me, you like to make other people happy. This is a wonderful problem to have, but it can still be a problem nonetheless.
You have to learn to tell people “no” without ruining the relationship, which is not always easy.
My work history has run the gambit from non-profit organizations to corporate management, and I have found the same technique to work in any arena. It continues to work today in my own businesses, especially when I am working with partners on something.
If I have a list of tasks or projects on my plate, and someone wants to add to it, I simply ask, “Okay, which of these previous projects would you like me to delay so that I can add this new one?” Usually, the answer is, “None.” If they would like me to postpone one of them, I have still accomplished my goal, because I have not immediately added anything to my work load.
Pleasing people around you is fine, but remember: if they expect a certain level of excellence from you, they will not be pleased with anything less, and you shouldn’t be either. You have to say no at the appropriate times.
Productivity is an art
Perhaps you’ve heard the expression, “A good artist never blames her brushes.” You cannot blame the “productivity tools” at your disposal for not working if you have never installed the software in your brain to make them work. Which of these three give you the most trouble? Did I leave out anything important? I would love to hear from you.
Joshua Noerr is a former combat sports competitor turned blogger. His mission in life is to simply change the world. You can keep up with his progress by visiting his blog on personal development, or subscribing to his RSS feed.
About Guest Contributor
Spot on. This is why pen and paper continues to be so trusted versus electronic devices and solutions. Great post!
By the way, it sounds like you’re a budding Eventualist, Joshua…
Ha! That may be true Mike, we shall have to see! I agree, I still love the feeling of pen and paper. There is a fantastic connection between the hand and the brain.
One of the best “productivity” post I’ve ever read. I’ve tried the Pomodoro technique, the Important versus Urgent, deal and they only work until I fall back into my same patterns.
“If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always gotten”.
Good post.
Great post. I love how you pointed out devices are “fundamentally flawed.” So true. I’ve probably spent $300-$400 on various apps. Guess how many I use daily? 0. Actually, I find myself taking notes in mails most frequently. ch:
Definitely agree with Do Less. Also, do one thing at a time, finish what you start.
Nice post, Joshua.
Isn’t this worth installing inside our head?
1. There is nothing like Time Management. It’s always Self Management.
&
2. Productivity is not getting MORE things done; but the RIGHT things done.- Sally McGhee
Keep smiling 🙂
Bingo! I’m paying thoughtful attention to each of these because work has become so noisy and chaotic. Saying No is key – Realizing that everything is not an emergency is key – Regaining control over our focus is key.
Thanks so much!
Learning to say “no” is a very powerful tool for simplifying your life and schedule.
Do you think that people will respect your time more or less if you are always ready to say “yes” to the next request?
The answer is “no, they will not respect your time” – in fact I would even say that they will devalue your time and expect you to say “yes” because you must not be busy or have other important work. And if you do not value your own time then why would others?
Another phenomenon to sprout wings recently is delegation. People are trying to delegate everything to someone else to do – another reason to say no.
It is ok to say “no” – it is liberating and allows you to focus on things you enjoy doing or that are priorities for you.
Deep thought! Thanks for cotnbriuitng.
Productivity is in your mind. As you said and I agree with you – “you can be the most productive individual on the planet with nothing more than a pencil and paper.” and “A good artist never blames her brushes.”
Its inspiring… Keep posting like this…
I found it when I was looking for a different sort of information but I am very interested in the article, It is nice to read such kind of good posts i like your work keep it up!
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