Productivity, But Make It Weird!
Common (101) & Uncommon (404) Hacks
After a recent conversation around my post the "Illusion of Productivity: Avoiding Unnecessary Work" someone asked me a simple question: So how do you actually be productive?
Though I am searching for the true balance myself, here is just an attempt to answer that - Blending common wisdom with less obvious, but powerful facts!
True productivity and leadership lie not in how much you do, but what you choose to do, and more importantly, what you choose not to do. - what you choose?to?not?do
? The Common Sense Basics
Prioritize ruthlessly at times: Focus on tasks that directly impact outcomes. Not everything deserves your attention at?the?same?time.
Block 'Focus Time' each day: Reserve some time for deep work like research?and?strategy
Avoid multitasking: It is a myth and sequential focus wins.
Goal setting: Every task must align with an objective / goals. If it doesn’t, question it, if you can - ask why.
Take breaks, unwind: Your mind works better when you respect its limits
Delegate: ?Empowering team members doesn’t dilute impact, it multiplies it. Focus your energy where it matters most, if given a chance.
Can’t avoid tech now, is it? - Boost productivity and creativity by embracing tools that simplify your workflow. To-Dos to GenAI tools tech not only saves time but also broadens your imagination. Use?it?smartly?:)
?? The Non-Common Sense Basics that seem like?Game-Changers
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Kill the ‘Impressive Work’ Syndrome (being the perfectionist): Not every plan needs a 20-slide deck or multi layered emails. Simpler solutions are often smarter and faster to execute. (I'm struggling with this one - honestly!)
Speed > Perfection: In a world that moves fast, something that's done 'perfectly adequately' is often better than something that's done perfectly ,but non-timely (depends on what the objective is)
Unsubscribe strategically: Step out of meetings, threads, programs, work and reports that no longer serve a purpose.
Set constraints, not open canvases: Creativity thrives within boundaries. Challenge your team with sharper briefs, not vague explorations.
Automate. Delegate. Eliminate.: If a task repeats, automate it. If someone else can do it 80% as well as you, delegate it. If it adds no value, eliminate it altogether.
Measure momentum, not just effort: Celebrate decisions made, experiments launched, and forward movement—not just tasks completed.
?? Finally
Before you dive into your next “big idea”, run a quick check:
Is this work moving the needle or just adding to the noise?
In the end, productivity is not about doing more, it’s about doing what truly matters. A high-functioning marketing & communications team thrives not on complexity, but on clarity and action. The smartest strategies are often the simplest - the ones that create impact without unnecessary layers.
So, the next time you feel the urge to add another meeting, build another doc, or initiate another task - pause and ask yourself: Is this real work or just a well-disguised distraction?
Do share your thoughts and enlighten me as I find my balance of being productive & focused!
Communications Strategist | Crisis & Media Trainer | Leadership Mentor | Guest Faculty – Management & Mass Communication
2 周Interesting insight
Content that informs, engages, and ranks. | Research-backed SaaS & productivity tech writer | Copy Editor & Fact-Checker ?? Fire Dancer
2 周I was thinking about the same thing this morning. For some reason, kids came to mind. They're always told they need to work hard to be successful. But it’s not just about working hard, it’s about working smart. Same goes for us, adults: prioritizing, planning strategically… Honestly, the productivity mindset is something that should be nurtured from childhood.
?? Global Consumer Insights Lead ?? Productivity Coach ?? Writer ?? Author of “from busy to Productive - in 7 days”
3 周I love your question: “does it move the needle, or is ya just noise? We tend to add more noise to our days than we need to. I would add a 10th: Leverage the power of breaks to manage your energy. How? - 5 min mini-breaks in between tasks to refresh - two 15-min break along the day to recharge. One mid-morning and one mid-afternoon. You’ll wonder what to do with so much energy at the end of the day ?? Thanks for sharing Mansi Chugh ??