It hit me the other day while making a quick run to my local Staples for printer ink; there’s a huge market for helping people get organized and productive. Maybe I was oblivious to it before, but I found isle after isle of products all geared to get us better organized. We are obsessed with the ideal of buying something else with the promise that it will increase our business’ productivity only to find there is a missing link, us.
Simply put, being productive is possessing the ability to bring forth goods, services and products in an efficient manner. The issue arises when we invest more time in the pursuit of productivity products than the actual act of being productive. We’ve gone from massive day planners and calendars to Blackberry’s and a million plus Iphone apps, all to help us. But if you look around, we are just as unproductive as before. Why? The secret doesn’t belong to another gadget or program but in adjusting our habits and attitude towards our goals.
I’ve always believed both success and failure leaves clues for us to follow. When you view the lives of those we consider successful, the first thing you notice is they don’t make excuses for where they started. They aren’t blaming the lack of technology as the reason they struggled. Successful individuals know full well that all they needed to get going was the desire and discipline to make it happen. I have had clients tell me they would get better organized after they upgraded to a smart phone to store their appointments. But in reality, if they do not possess time management, the appointments will never even reach their electronic organizers.
Many ask what it takes to see a significant increase in their productivity and I tell them it’s really easy. And to their surprise, it isn’t that expensive either. Here are four simple ways to increase productivity:
- Capitalize on your peak performance times: When do you peak? Answer this and you have the key to success! Is it first thing in the morning? Could it be right after lunch? We all have different times of the day when productivity seems to flow like a river. Figure this out and watch your productivity increase immediately.
- Give up the illusion of being a ‘Jack of All Trades’: If you’re constantly giving your focus to multiple things, you will not be good at any of them. Your goals require you to give yourself to one thing at a time. The downside of multi-tasking is nothing gets 100%. To be successful narrow your attention to what needs to happen next.
- Eat healthier and get regular exercise: This concept is often overlooked. But if you put junk in, you will get junk out. We are a trichotomy, meaning we are spirit, soul and body. If you want more productivity you have to invest in all three parts of your being. Just like your car, you need all aspects under the hooding working together.
- Incorporate your musical score: Have you realized how important music is to the movie experience? Without the drama of background music, scary movies wouldn’t be scary and dramas wouldn’t hold our attention. Every day you have to decorate your tasks with a musical score. Pull out the iPod and find what feeds your soul. Scientist has long proven productivity jumps when music is involved.
When we know better we can do better. Whether you work in a noise filled office or from a desk in your den, we all want the same thing; to increase what we do and experience significance. Being productive doesn’t have to be a mystery or some expensive tech journey. Turn inward and watch your subtle habits. This is your time to be more productive.
See you at the TOP!
© 2012, Early L. Jackson. All rights reserved.
Early L. Jackson is co-founder of New Direction Coaching Associates and author of “Groomed For Greatness: 31 Days To An Empowered Life”.
