5 take away from "The Productivity Project" by Chris Bailey

Have you ever felt like you're spinning your wheels, working hard but not getting anywhere? It's an everyday struggle, but there are ways to break free from this cycle and become more productive. I recently finished reading "The Productivity Project" by Chris Bailey, and it's a good one. As usual, how can I stay away from writing??So, here are my words. Let's go.

1. Being present and focused on the task is super important. One technique the book mentions the famous "Rule of 3," where you identify the three most important tasks for the day and prioritize them above all else. In our daily life, at work, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of tasks. The Rule of 3 can help cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters. For example, when faced with a long to-do list, I prioritize the three tasks most impacting my goals.
2. Contrary to popular belief, multitasking makes us less productive. In fact, it often leads to decreased efficiency and quality of work. The book suggests tackling tasks individually to maintain focus and produce better results. When I started reading about this point, the first thing that came to mind was the sayings of our Bollywood superstar, Aamir Khan . Mr. Perfectionist is known for making the best by choosing one thing at a time. Whenever I try to do multiple things simultaneously, I get distracted but get the work done correctly. For instance, instead of juggling emails, calls, and reports simultaneously, I dedicate blocks of time to each task, resulting in more effective communication and higher-quality work. Let's not confuse this point with the famous line you might have read in all the job descriptions: "The candidate must have the ability to multitask."??You should not stick to the one type of work you are primarily skilled at; it doesn't mean you have to work like a robot doing 10 things at a time.?
3. Productivity isn't just about managing time; it's also about managing energy. The book discusses the concept of ultradian rhythms, which are natural cycles of energy that affect our focus and productivity throughout the day. By understanding these rhythms, we can schedule tasks accordingly to maximize productivity. This reminded me how sometimes I had felt drained and struggled to concentrate. By aligning our tasks with our energy levels, we can quickly learn to work with our natural rhythms rather than against them. For example, I tackle complex projects during my peak energy hours and save routine tasks when my energy is lower. Well, I'm not to explain natural cycles of energy; it's just a tiny blog, not a fully-fledged white paper??But now you know where to find it.
4. In today's hyperconnected world, boredom is often seen as a negative emotion. However, the book argues that boredom can catalyze creativity and productivity. Allowing ourselves to experience boredom allows our minds to wander and develop new ideas. When faced with a creative block or a lack of motivation at work, I embrace moments of boredom instead of reaching for distractions. Whether walking outside or sitting quietly, these moments often spark innovative solutions to my challenges. By the way, there is another famous saying about when we get the most creative ideas. Let's put it in the comment box and let everyone enjoy it.
5. We often overcommit ourselves for fear of missing out or letting others down. However, the book smartly reminds us that saying no is essential for protecting our time and energy. We can focus on what truly matters by setting boundaries and prioritizing our commitments. But there is a catch; saying no can be difficult, especially when we want to be helpful or please others. But learning to set boundaries has been crucial for my productivity. For example, instead of saying yes to every meeting or request, I evaluate each opportunity based on its alignment with my goals and priorities.

In summary, since I am also an author (self-promotion??), I understand the science behind writing and the sequence any book needs to carry. "The Productivity Project" by Chris Bailey takes the reader on a self-reflection journey, which helps in understanding what is wrong and right we do in our daily lives to be more productive in both work and life. Don't worry if it takes you time to finish it. If you are reading it with concentration and taking time to finish it, it only means you are going deeper into the topic, which will help you. We can unlock our full potential and achieve tremendous success by adopting mindfulness, focusing on single-tasking, managing our energy, embracing boredom, and learning to say no. It was a super quick refresher and worth reading through. Lastly, thanks to Antoine Derché , who very kindly shared this masterpiece with me from his mini-library.

NOTE: these are personal notes and do not represent any other entity. As always I'm just a tweet away, @insananil

#Productivity #Focus #TimeManagement #SelfImprovement #PersonalGrowth #BookRecommendation