Are You Busy or Productive?
James Beeman, MCC
Executive Leadership Coach | ICF Mentor Coach | Master Certified Coach (MCC)
Have you had a day recently that felt like a car stuck in the mud (or if you live in colder climates, perhaps ice and snow)? The wheels spin and spin, working extremely hard and getting you nowhere. Think of your workday. Are you or your team putting out extreme amounts of effort with little to no return?
Usefulness. Getting things done. Reaching a goal. These are terms that may come to mind when you think of productivity. However, what makes a day genuinely productive? How do you know when you are spinning your wheels or just simply busy?
Merriam-Webster defines productive as “having the quality or power of producing especially in abundance” or “yielding results, benefits, or profits.” In the business environment, it can also be defined regarding the rate of output per unit of input. Said another way, efficiency plus effectiveness equals positive productivity.
This comparison of output to input is where the distinction between productive and busy is highlighted. Busy is defined as “engaged in action.” This is input. However, input without sufficient output lacks productivity, and is, quite frankly, incredibly frustrating!
So how can you move from an exhausting state of “busy” to a more satisfying place of “productive”? Back to the stuck car analogy. If you have ever been in this situation, you know that continuing to rev the engine and spin the wheels will not only NOT get you out, it will simply dig you deeper into the mess. The only solution is to stop spinning, fix the problem, and then get back on the road.
#1 STOP Spinning
You can easily overlook this step. Take your foot off the gas pedal and decide what needs to happen to get unstuck. As long as your days are packed with all the busy emails and unproductive meetings, without time to consider the process or outcome, you are still spinning. Set aside some time each day to distinguish between the urgent versus important aspects of your day and begin to build a plan.
#2 FIX the Problem
The solution often depends on how stuck you are. Sometimes you can simply back up to move forward. Try revisiting your values and why you do what you do. Sometimes you need a couple of friends to help push while you drive out of the rut. Call in some help! Schedule a meeting with your boss, or meet regularly with an accountability partner. Also, sometimes, you are just going to need to be towed out with a truck or tractor. This might mean a major overhaul of your schedule, a re-evaluation of your priorities that leads to a new emphasis in what you do, or even a complete change in career.
#3 Get Back on the Road
The whole purpose of getting “unstuck” is to get back on the road and get where you are headed. Don’t dwell on failures or beat yourself up for getting stuck. You must forgive yourself and move on to regain productivity and make the most of your work day.
What’s your first step towards getting “unstuck” today?
Director of Strategic Initiatives
7 年Hi James. For a person to be productive they do not necessarily have to find a new career, or seek outside assistance, or dwell on failures. They could skim through their tasks and create daily goals! Being clear about what needs to be done will get done as long as it's ok the person's schedule.... trust me I know. I'm a busy person who is very productive. And this is because my goals are set in place for my team and I. You have some good points though.