5 Things You Need to Stop Doing If You Want To Be More Productive
So many
things to do, so little time.
In a world
where things move at rapid pace and people get impatient waiting for anything
longer than 5 seconds, it feels like there are tons of things on our plates.
There’s
that urgent email we need to get back to, a project that needs finishing, and
of course, time off with friends and family (if there’s even time left).
The more
work we have in front of us, the easier it is to get into a frantic state of
mind.
I noticed
that busy people often work on tasks that they think need to be done, but are
actually counterproductive. I’ve managed to pinpoint these habits in my own
life and replace them with better habits.
Here are a
few things you should stop doing if you want to get more done:
1. Trying to do everything at once
Do you
ever see those people who are completely frazzled?
They’re
pulling their hair, running from place to place, and barely have time to
breathe. It’s like they’re trying to do everything and completely panicking.
I used to
think people like this got more done. That is, until I saw their results. I
then realized that trying to do everything prevents you from getting really
good at anything.
Trying to
do everything is an indicator of lack of decisiveness, not ambition. So if you
want to become an expert at something, it means saying no to other
opportunities – at least for now.
For
instance, top ranked tennis player Serena Williams is into fashion and has her
own clothing line. But when she first started out, she focused all her energy
on becoming the top female tennis player. Her fashion business came later.
Become the
best in one area, and then branch out later.
2. Micromanaging everything
Micromanagement
is a common problem for perfectionists who need everything to be done their
way. They tend to hover over other people’s work, and try doing things
that could have been done more easily by someone else.
The worst
part about micromanaging is that other people feel smothered and dissatisfied
that their work isn’t respected.
Instead of
looking over every single detail, try to focus more on the big picture. Loosen the reins to give others some decision-making
power (to a certain extent). It’ll be better for your health and well-being.
When you
learn to let go of some things, you’ll find that you can accomplish more of
your goals.
3. Just winging it
I remember
back in school when we had to prepare presentations for the class. There was
always someone who would say, “I’m just going to wing it!”
Chances
are, that person wasn’t performing at the top of the class. Even if they were,
the person wasn’t actually winging it.
High-achieving
people are proactive, rather than reactive. They prepare relentlessly and
practice daily so that when the time comes, their performance is flawless.
I like to
get ready for the next day by preparing myself the evening before by using the Page Turner Technique. Doing so keeps me organized and calm, even when things
get hectic.
If you
want to excel, don’t wing it. Practice instead.
4. Not giving yourself any free time
A common
misconception is that successful people work day and night non-stop. They don’t
have time for fun or games.
Nothing
could be further from the truth.
Creative people and
innovators often need spare time in order to explore. By taking time to relax,
they can reflect on obstacles they face and see them from a different
perspective.
Arianna
Huffington herself said that sleep is the secret to success. So often, we think
that not having any time to rest is a badge of honor that we wear proudly.
Instead, we should think about getting more sleep to re-energize, become
happier, and get more done.
If you
want to feel refreshed and creative, try taking a break from your work.
5. Skipping lunch
A friend
bragged to me the other day that she had worked for 18 hours a day, non-stop.
She revealed that she frequently forgets to eat because she’s so busy.
On the
other hand, another friend gets lots of sleep and cooks his own food. He has
more spare time and energy for hobbies. Guess who burned out eventually?
Skipping
meals lowers your energy and concentration levels, so that you get less work
done for each hour you put in. It also leads to increased cravings for foods
that are quick fixes, like junk food and sweets.
I find
that preparing my lunch beforehand helps to set up my day right so that I don’t
have to look around for something unhealthy to quickly satisfy my hunger. It
also gives me one less thing to worry about.
BY MELISSA CHU
http://www.lifehack.org/389511/5-things-you-need-to-stop-doing-if-you-want-to-be-more-productive?ref=mail&mtype=goal_reminder&mid=20161010_with_thumbnail&uid=687414&hash=707e797f7e757e6d794c856d747b7b3a6f7b79&action=read_more&goal_id=9&token=d0e3e4b03809d240b52d71f8a6770fa9
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