Wait, what? Unproductive habits? Now that’s a different spin on it. Usually, we see lists of habits that increase productivity. But what about those little things that we do (or don’t do) that make us less productive? Ever have one of those days where you are crazy busy but yet, get nothing done? Yep, me too.
It’s the things we do every day that greatly influence our results and productivity. If your week is filled with unproductive days, you simply need to adopt a different set of habits.
Common habits of unproductive people:
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- You stop learning. If you stop developing and learning new things, your productivity drops. Strive to learn something new every day. It doesn’t have to be an encyclopedia of knowledge, but read a book, research tips on the internet, watch a video, or just listen to your colleagues. Productive people are always learning new things.
- Distractions – the ultimate time suck. We are constantly distracted these days. And something always seems to come along that is far more interesting than what we are working on. Stop! Turn off the notifications and focus on what you are supposed to be doing. But plan time to engage in your distractions later. It’s easier to avoid distractions if you know you have time later in the day to address them.
- You don’t prioritize taking action. Don’t become a victim of analysis paralysis! (This is a bad habit of mine.) Some people love to strategize but then never act. Planning has its place, and careful research is great. But eventually, you just have to let go and do it!
- Failing to plan your day. Do you have a clear plan for your day? Have you taken the time to organize your day the night before? Have a clear plan for the day, the week, or even just the next few hours. Make your plan and stick to it!
- Majoring in minor things. Ever see someone running around looking very busy and think, wow, they are really productive? Appearances can be deceiving, being busy, and being productive is not the same thing. Focus on the most effective course of action to be productive and avoid any activities that don’t produce results.
- Quitting. It may be tempting, but you can’t be productive if you give up too soon. Productivity is about what you do, how well you do it, how fast you do it, and how much time you spend doing it. You can’t get a lot done if you don’t put in the time.
- Being a worrywart. It’s ok to be concerned about something and take steps to address those concerns. However, excessive worrying is unproductive, wastes time, and makes you less effective. Have you ever accomplished anything positive by excessively worrying about it? Probably not, because it’s unproductive.
- Procrastination. Terrible habit and a total productivity killer! You can’t get anything accomplished if you never even get started. If you must procrastinate, at least use that time productively. Going for a walk is a better way of procrastinating than eating a sundae (maybe not as much fun, but better).
There are only 24 hours in a day, and productive people don’t get any more time than we do. They just use it more wisely. Make big goals and be thoughtful and effective in working towards your goals.
Set yourself up for success by identifying and eliminating your unproductive habits. You’ll be surprised by how much you can accomplish!
Ready to take back your time and be more productive? Organization is my superpower! Contact Virtual ME Solutions today to learn how I can help you grow your business.
