Improving productivity: A guide to being (not doing) more

As professionals, we are constantly striving to achieve more and to reach our goals faster. We often believe that the key to achieving this is by doing more, working harder, and sleeping less. However, this is a misguided approach to productivity.?

Being productive isn’t just about working hard. It’s about the way you take care of yourself, how you manage your time, and the mental approach you take. In this article, we will explore some of these key strategies to help you become more productive.

Self-Care

Self-care is essential for productivity to ensure that you have the energy to focus and drive to get things done. This includes getting enough quality sleep, eating nourishing food, staying hydrated, prioritizing movement, and taking time to play and relax.?

Understand Your Limiting Beliefs About Productivity

Limiting beliefs are deep-seated premises that we operate from, which can negatively impact our productivity. It is important to examine these beliefs by listening to our self-talk about productivity, achievement, and outcomes. Clues about limiting beliefs are often reflected in absolute language like ‘all’, ‘must’, ‘should’, ‘everyone’, ‘always’, and so forth. Challenge these beliefs and work on alternative perspectives that support your productivity.

Unpack Your Conditions of Worth

The criteria we use to measure our worth are often tied to our work and level of productivity. If we do not achieve our goals, our inner critic reminds us that we’re “not good enough.” It is essential to challenge these conditions, as they can negatively impact your productivity. By untangling yourself from your limiting beliefs, you can bring your ‘enough self’ to work and engage with others more authentically.

Understand How Anxiety Impacts Productivity

Anxiety can significantly impact your productivity. It can severely inhibit the part of your brain that reasons, problem-solves, decision-makes and concentrates. Recognize your symptoms of anxiety as well as your triggers, and takes steps to manage your symptoms effectively.

Know the Parts of Yourself That You Need to Work On

Notice the things that are typically difficult for you in the work setting. Sometimes we avoid things that are challenging, and this then impacts productivity and output. Most of the time these identified challenges can be improved with upskilling. Find courses or mentors, and read and listen to material that can provide you with strategies and skills to work on your identified areas for improvement.

Manage Your Time Effectively

Effective time management is essential for productivity. Be mindful of distractions and how you prioritize tasks. Create a clear workspace, set dedicated times for deep work, and take regular breaks to keep your focus high.?

Engage in Healthy Relationships at Work

Most jobs require team engagement and teamwork, so here’s where you need to bring your E game:

• Empathy – Listen actively and relate to the content as well as the emotion that is being shared. Ask clarifying questions, and respond to difficult content with compassion and behaviors that could reduce distress
• Energy – Self-care routines boost physical and emotional energy to put you in a better place to create relationships?
• Enoughness – Bring your ‘Enough Self’ to work so that you can engage with others more authentically

Remember that productivity is not the end goal, but a means to achieving our goals. By focusing on being productive instead of doing more, we can achieve our goals with less stress and anxiety, and lead a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

Dr. Ottilia Brown

Clinical Psychologist

Arabian Business,

Sunday Jan 10th 2021