What is productivity and how to stay productive in 3 easy steps
This ultimate guide covers what is productivity & its types. Find out how you can be more productive & 5 ways to stay productive even when you’re not motivated.
In this article, you'll learn:
- What is Productivity
- Productivity Defined
- What are types of productivity
- What are some examples of productivity
- How you can be more productive in 3 easy steps
- 5 ways to stay productive even when you’r not motivated
- Resources: Best Productivity Apps
What is productivity?
But what is productivity, and how do we calculate it in our daily lives? It’s easy to produce theories and examples based on abstract units of work or numbers of plants, but your life isn’t a managed supply chain.
Writer Charles Duhigg defines productivity as
“making certain choices in certain ways” that moves us from being “merely busy” to “genuinely productive” in his book Smarter Faster Better
Tony Robbins’ approach to productivity focuses on ways people can systematize and better manage their lives so they have more time to do what they want.
Productivity Defined
So what is productivity?
It’s getting the results you want with less time and effort. When you’re trying to understand how to be productive, what you’re really seeking is a way to achieve your goals while having time to spend on what matters.
What are types of productivity
Productivity is a measure of the efficiency of production. It is measured by the ratio of outputs to inputs and it can be calculated in different ways:
- Total productivity = Outputs/Inputs
- Partial productivity = Outputs/Inputs from one class or type
- Marginal productivity = Change in total productivity/Change in input quantity
- Average productivity = Total productivity/Number of units produced
- Productivity per worker = Outputs/Number of workers
Why productivity is Important
Productivity is important for all of us. It helps us progress in our careers and in our personal lives. It is important to be productive not only because it makes us feel good, but also because it allows us to manage our work, home lives, hobbies, and family better.
It also helps us progress toward our full potential as we can spend more time on tasks that we’re not skilled at or that we find difficult.
What are some examples of productivity
Focus on high-priority tasks
This is a good way to ensure that you are not wasting time on less important tasks. It’s also a good way to make sure that you are not being distracted from your work.
Do:
Decide:
Delegate:
Eliminate:
Have a morning routine
Have a morning ritual you follow at the start of each day. It might be meditation, reading, exercise or one thing else. A morning routine helps place you within the right frame of mind to possess a productive day
Create systems
Systemizing your work is an important step for increasing efficiency. By making decisions ahead of time, you can save time and get more done in less time
Focus on one task at a time
The average human attention span is now 8 seconds. With the invention of the internet, people are more distracted than ever. This is because there are infinite possibilities for what someone can do when they are bored or looking for something to do.
The solution is to focus on one task at a time. This will allow people to stay focused and complete tasks in a timely manner, which in turn will make them feel accomplished and satisfied with their work.
How you can be more productive in 3 easy steps
Gamifying your tasks
Gamification is a trend that has taken the world by storm in recent years. It has been used to turn mundane tasks into exciting challenges, and has been proven to be effective in increasing productivity.
Some companies have found that gamifying their tasks leads to increased engagement and productivity among their employees. They have found that employees are more motivated to complete tasks when they are given a sense of progress, which is what gamification provides them with.
Define your goals
It is important to set goals. If you don’t have any, it is difficult to stay motivated. Goals can be both short-term and long-term.
Short term goals are often easier to achieve because they are more tangible and have a definite deadline. Long-term goals are more difficult to achieve because they are not as tangible and there is no deadline that you need to meet.
Achieving your long-term goal can seem like an impossible feat. But, with the right tools and techniques, you can stay motivated and achieve your goals in the near future.
Discover when you’re most productive
There are many factors that can affect productivity. One of them is the time of day.
In a study, it was found that people are most productive at different times of the day, and it’s important to know when you’re most productive so you can work on tasks accordingly.
For example, many people have been found to be more productive in the morning or evening, whereas others might be more productive during lunch hours or late afternoon.
In order to find out when you’re most productive, track your daily output and see what time period is most successful for you.
In addition to that, try working with a partner who has a different schedule than yours so you have someone there for support during those less productive hours.
5 Ways to Stay Productive Even When You’re Not Motivated
- Write tomorrow’s to do list tonight
- Set small goals with realistic time frames
- Reward yourself for accomplished goals
- Batch similar tasks together
- Avoid multitasking
Resources: Best Productivity Apps
Waqas Shami is a productivity nerd and an avid traveler. He is trying to live more meaningful and purposeful life! Follow him on this new journey of balancing digital and physical life. He currently resides in Stockholm, Sweden. He is on Instagram: @waqas.shami, twitter: @WaqasShami3
