Avoid The Top 10 PRODUCTIVITY Mistakes

Productivity is a term that gets thrown around often, but it’s not always easy for people to maintain or attain. Moreover, it can often be easier said than done. But we’ve put together this list of the top productivity mistakes to help you avoid the inevitable pitfalls and succeed in your quest for better time management.

1. You don’t have a dedicated space for you to work in.

The secret to productivity is that it’s not what you do but how you do it. So if you don’t have a quiet space to work and get things done, your productivity will suffer when you walk in the door. So, instead of finding a spot in the kitchen or on your bed, get the space you need by setting up a home office.

2. You’re constantly checking your email and social media accounts.

It seems like everyone is attached to their email, but it’s not really a good thing, especially if you’re working full-time and/or trying to balance multiple interests. If you have a laptop or tablet in your home office, you don’t have to check your social media accounts obsessively. This is because they are also on your computer and easily accessible, disrupting your productivity. It might not seem like it right now, but working without constant distractions will lead to better long-term productivity.

3. You work too much.

If you’re working too many hours, then there will inevitably be a time in which you’re unable to keep up with your workload. This leads to a loss of focus, alertness, and motivation.

4. You don’t set goals and deadlines for yourself.

A key component of productivity is planning for the future and setting goals for yourself to achieve success. But why set goals for yourself if you don’t know when you will reach them? Set yourself a deadline, and then work towards it. You must be willing to be disciplined and hold yourself to that, or else you won’t reach your goals.

5. You are not organized.

Nothing will cause you more stress in your day-to-day life than not being able to find something simple and essential at the end of it. A jumbled mess of papers and supplies can cost you an hour or more of your productivity time. What’s worse is that the same thing will likely happen again the next day and then the next. You’re paying for your mistakes with each successive hour wasted searching for something important.

6. You don’t take care of yourself enough.

If you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t function at your highest level. This can lead to an achy feeling that is easily mistaken for laziness. The truth is, you haven’t taken care of yourself and need rest and recharging. So instead of driving on, get the sleep you need so that you will be able to get more done the following day instead of feeling tired and exhausted.

7. You try to do too many things at once.

If you’re trying to do and finish too many things at once, then there won’t be a way for you to be productive. You will always feel like you’re behind because, in effect, you are – but only if you try to accomplish more than humanly possible. This is why you must have realistic expectations for yourself and your tasks when planning your day.

8. You aren’t delegating.

Being highly productive is all about delegating tasks to others who can do those things better than you can. Regardless of whether it’s a full-time job or something small and easy, the more stuff you delegate out, the more time you have to focus on what matters to you. So start delegating small tasks while building up your list of services and products that can save you time as we advance.

9. You’re not strategic.

Strategic thinking involves:

Looking at all the moving pieces.
Assessing your options for how to juggle and balance them.
Planning out what works best for you, as well as how it fits in all of your other plans.

You’ll never be able to be highly productive if you aren’t strategic about how you use your time and attention.

10. You don’t make a plan for yourself each day.

As we have said, not having a plan means you will not be productive. So you must plan your tasks and activities before working on them. It will also help if you break down your larger goals into smaller tasks that are easier to digest.

Once you’ve completed your plan, the last thing you need to do is have the discipline and motivation to stick with it. Without those, you’re doomed to fail, no matter how well-planned things may be.

The bigger the goal (e.g., working out more), the more planning is needed for you to make it happen effectively.

I hope this blog post was helpful! I read this every time that I need it!

See you next week!