The majority of productivity discussions revolved around workplace culture. To put it another way, the fundamental assumption was that people left home every day to go to work. Productivity definitions and methods were based on the amount of time spent in the office.
Everything is turned upside down now that social alienation is in effect and many individuals work from home.
Workers gain time previously spent on transportation, water cooler talks, and in-person meetings, thus there are some advantages to the existing scenario. Constant diversions, the need to care for children, Zoom tiredness, the lack of connection with coworkers, the difficulty to preserve work-life balance, and overall emotional depletion are all obstacles.
The distinction between work and home has become increasingly hazy, if not entirely destroyed. It's becoming more difficult to determine whether we've had a productive day, and many individuals believe they've never accomplished enough. They are constantly surrounded by a mist of productivity shame. While the onslaught of articles advising us on how to be more productive through improved routines, setups, hacks, and strategies is well-intentioned and totally valid, for many of us, it's become a guilt-inducing sledge hammer that makes us feel inept and overwhelmed.
Is this, however, a reasonable level of productivity shame? Where did our preconceived views of what it means to be a productive worker come from?
Perhaps it's time to rethink our definitions of productivity.
Restoring the value of productivity
We need to redefine productivity in terms of value rather than output if we want to get the right things done, overcome productivity shame, and escape the disease of continual busyness. Rather than assessing our days based on how many tasks we completed, we should assess them based on whether we completed the tasks that matter.
So, how do we make sure that we are focusing on the most important tasks each day? By adopting concrete steps that will help us achieve our goals.
Set goals for the day.
Because we only have so much time and energy, we must prioritize our tasks. At the very least, set aside time at the start of each day to choose your most important task or project, and then focus solely on that assignment until it is accomplished. It might be incredibly beneficial to select your most significant objectives for the week, month, or even quarter if you are able to do so.
While prioritizing your duties takes effort, it is well worth it because it allows you to stay laser focused on what matters most.
Make a schedule for the day
After you've prioritized your chores, you'll want to put them on your calendar. You can ensure that you always make time for your most important activities by planning your days ahead of time. Furthermore, when you plan ahead of time, your team understands what you're working on, and it's more difficult for others to fill your calendar with unimportant appointments.
If you want to have complete control over your day, you can try using the time-blocking approach of scheduling, in which you plan out every minute of every day.
The reality is that we will either determine our own schedules or someone else will.
Pose the appropriate questions.
Learning to ask the proper questions will assist you in remaining focused and avoiding the busyness trap. Before you begin an activity, ask yourself the following questions:
Is this the most critical assignment I have at the moment?
Is it because I'm busy that I'm adding value?
Is it possible that I'm being driven by urgency rather than value?
Will I be able to look back and say that I worked on the things that meant the most at the end of the day?
Remove all potential sources of distraction.
We're still susceptible to distractions even when we've put in the effort to prioritize our work and day. Coworker emails and Slack messages. Social media is a relatively new phenomenon. Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and a slew of other streaming services are vying for viewers' attention. We need to take steps to eliminate distractions if we want to be truly productive.
Close any doors you have.
Reconsidering productivity
It's more crucial than ever to rethink our concept of productivity as we adjust to the new norms imposed by this period of uncertainty. Life isn't merely a set of duties to be completed. It's something to relish and appreciate. It is not acceptable to reduce productivity to a to-do list.
Rather than questioning, "Did I do enough?" We must question ourselves, "Did I do anything worthwhile?"
Rather than asking, "How many things have I accomplished?" “Did I work on something significant?” we must inquire.
We're not just cogs in a machine; we're individuals with distinct skills and abilities who have a lot to contribute to the world.
Let us concentrate on adding value.
