Are you surviving the week or driving the week?

how to be more productive

The work week begins, and do you know what you will tackle, or do you put on your computer and see what comes your way? 

Sometimes we depend on what is inbound or task oriented and things that need our immediate attention. Yet some days we feel we take more control and tackle exactly what we set out to do. 

So, what feels better to you?

Daily we are faced with unexpected challenges, opportunities and get tugged in so many directions. Especially in the early stage of your business or if you are running a team. Being a leader likely means you are in several meetings through the week as well. So, how do you stay in “drive” vs “survive” mode?  

Some say, “make a to-do list” or “chew through your inbox” and these will make you feel better and keep you on track. But is it truly keeping you productive?  Or making a real impact on the business?

The best way to drive versus survive is to consider the following:  

“What will make the biggest impact in my business right now?” 

“What needs my immediate attention that contributes to this impact?”

Sounds easy enough right? But we are all guilty of being distracted at times or feel the need to tweak things or do other “stuff” besides what might actually move the needle. Being clear on these questions will help you stay focused on the right things and help you be productive. But wait, what about multitasking? I bet you’re great at it right!?

Multitasking? This is an ongoing debate. Is it productive or unproductive?  

More and more studies show how multitasking creates absentmindedness, distraction and disrupt job performance overall. In fact, “it is known to erode productivity and affect your IQ” according to a Forbes article from Feb 2020. As stated in this article, “multitasking merely increases busyness while eroding productivity. (A better name might be "multi-taxing.")”. 

So, why is it that we feel this need to be super multitaskers and wear it like a badge of honour when we are doing it? Why is it that we look at those running around and seeming to be handling so much at once as, “Wow, they are so productive?”. Truth is they likely aren’t. Yes, tackling more than one thing at once may still get the job done but at what cost? 

Sometimes this is referred to as hustling but what about those that have a calmer approach to their work? Does this mean they are not productive or achievers? Not hustling? Why is it that unless we seem like we are running ragged or juggling a million things at once we are looked at as maybe not having enough to do or not hustling enough?  

It’s often the adrenaline rush in multitasking that keeps us in it. The false perception that we are being so productive and handling everything. How would you feel if you could get all your work done in a more productive manner while reserving your energy?  Delivering high impact to your business while reserving your energy?

There are always priorities in everyday and this is what creates the opportunity to fine tune your productivity. Yes, everything is important when you are the “sole business owner” but “how” important is a specific item and what impact does it make to your business? 

Here are a few proven tips to help you with productivity and stay the course: 

-        Work on one major and impactful task at a time -

When you focus on one task without trying to multitask, you actually complete it quicker and likely don’t have to go back and recheck it later on. What you think might take you hours can likely be completed in one hour or less. Try it. Focus on a single task for however long it takes to complete, and I bet when you look up at the clock it won’t be as late as you thought.

-        Don’t be on your email every minute of the day - (Unless that is the nature of your business at this time)

Set a sequence of times to review. What can you get done (besides email) in one hour if that’s all you focused on? I bet more than you think. And trust me if someone needs something urgently, they will find you… 

Scan the inbox. 

There are some that love to mention how many emails are sitting in their inbox as it gives them the impression of how busy they are. But not every email is a contributor to what you need to deliver to the business. So, scan the inbox and respond or flag the ones that immediately affect the work you need to deliver. Or that will make the most impact to moving your business forward. You can attend to the others in a later part of the day or over the next 24 hours.  

SIDE note: test yourself, if all you focused on was email for 1 hour, how many emails could you respond to? Likely a lot.  So, don’t check your email every few minutes. Instead, work on it for 1 hour three times a day and see how much of the other important tasks you accomplish. And turn OFF those email notices. You know you’re going to check it so you don’t need it.

Side note two: worried about missing an urgent email? Create folders for those you receive urgent emails from. Likely this will be your vendors, partners or flag a subject line for those inquiring or wanting to buy from your business. Make sure these are the first emails you tend too when reengaging in the inbox. 

-        Planning -  

At the end of each day take the last 15-30 mins to write down what you know you want to tackle the following day. Things may look different in the morning, but you can easily pivot and reprioritize if this is the case.  But stick to what you wrote as the items that would make the highest impact and keep your business moving forward.

These tips are just one way to start disrupting your day. We're very habitual as humans and we show up at work and tend to do the same thing repeatedly. So, the idea here isn’t just about these tips. 

The bigger picture is about disrupting your pattern, disrupting how you approach your work on a day-to-day basis. 

So, thinking of new ways to tackle the work and thinking outside of the box to become more proactive in your day versus reactive, will naturally lead you to better productivity. Getting you in the driver’s seat and out of survival mode. 

If anything, remember “hustle doesn’t mean busy and busy doesn’t mean productive. “

All the best on your journey!