8 Productivity Mistakes You’re Probably Making (WithoutRealizing It)
January 9, 2016
When you think you’re being productive … areyou actually being counterproductive? (Photo: )
In a world full of programs, apps, andgadgets thoughtfully developed to make us more productive, it’s kind of amazinghow many of us have problems staying on task and effectual at work.
“When we think about productivity, we thinkabout the input: ‘How quickly can I get something done?’” explains Peter Bregman, author ofFour Seconds: All the Time You Need to StopCounter-Productive Habits and Get the Results You Want. “But the real question is, ‘How powerful is the outcomeI produced?’” When we think about productivity that way, it puts intoperspective why doing less can actually be better than doing more.
Turns out, diligently crafting a millionto-do lists and answering all your emails with lightning speed may be hurtingmore than helping. Here, Bregman details eight “productive” actions that areactuallycounterproductive, so you can figure out what’s holding you backand finally get it all done.
You’re making too many to-do lists.
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“Most lists are guilt lists more than theyare to-do lists,” Bregman says. “They’re just a reminder of what we’re notgetting done.” Instead of a list, manage your time in your calendar. “Yourcalendar has a limited amount of time in it, so look at what’s most importantto get done in the time you have, slot it in, and get it done.” A long to-dolist can just be overwhelming, and lead you to make poor choices, like gettingthe easiest things done first (instead of most important). When Bregman isinsanely busy, he writes a short list on a piece of paper, and sets a timer for15 minutes to knock out some easy stuff. “When the timer goes off, I put thataway and pick one challenging thing to work on and work for the next 45minutes. If I really get traction, I continue. If I feel exhausted, I take alittle break.”
Related: How Procrastinating Can Increase Your Productivity … and Happiness
You send emails instead of calling (or viceversa).
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We work in a world that revolves aroundemail, but sometimes a phone call is the smartest and most productive way toget something done. It just depends on the task. “One thing that wastes time isnot pausing to think,” Bregman explains. We’re all tempted to use our defaultmethod, but stopping to think about which is actually best suited for this taskwill get us choosing the most efficient way.
You feel compelled to respond to every emailimmediately.
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“It’s crazy to answer emails when youreceive them,” Bregman says. “You’re much better off batch-processing them.” Hesuggests blocking off specific times to answer emails, making some tea (orwhatever your choice may be), and sitting down to knock them out. Otherwise,you end up reading the same email five times, getting distracted before everanswering. Commit to actually doing something each time you touch an email, andhandle it the first time.
You focus too much on just doing something.
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One corporate-mindfulness training expert coined it “action addiction.” When we getoverwhelmed with tasks, finishing anything — even if it’s not the mostimportant — signals the reward centers in the brain. If we’re not mindful andcompletely aware of our priorities, we can get too focused on that instantgratification. Then, before you know it, it’s the end of the day and you’veworked so hard … but have gotten nothing done. (We’ve all been there,unfortunately.)
You’re not using your vacation days.
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It may sound counterintuitive (and many of us don’t take nearly enough vacation days), but getting away from the office will make you moreefficient when you return. Getting space away from work “not onlyphysically rejuvenates us but mentally reframes how we look at our lives in away that makes it a lot fresher and allows us to be a lot more productive,”says Bregman.
You don’t take breaks.
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This can actually make your output declinetremendously, Bregman warns. He compares it to working out: When you get toofatigued, your form suffers. Taking just one second to pause and readjust canmake all the difference. The same thing applies at work. “Go outside and take afew deep breaths of fresh air for just five minutes,” Bregman recommends.Changing your focus and moving your body for a short period of time can giveyou that reset you need.
You’re too focused on perfection.
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“The world rewards productivity, notperfection,” Bregman notes. “But sometimes it’s tough to restrain the beast ofperfection.” Allow yourself some messiness — and pardon it in other people,too. In some cases, it’s better to get things done than obsessing over how todo it 100 percent perfectly (or, at least, what you think “perfectly” is).
You’re going into the office.
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This may not be true for everyone, but studies have found that workers are actually more productive when theywork from home. “For some people, working at home is a productivity mistake,they end up watching Netflix,” Bregman notes. “For others, working in theoffice can be a mistake.” Keep a journal, noting what’s working for you andwhat’s not. If you’re getting more important things done more quickly fromhome, it may be time to ask your boss about a flexible schedule — with cold,hard facts to support your request.
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