Productivity is a word that fills me with thoughts of “must do”, “busyness”, “output”. All of those things are not bad per se, but I know that I have some work to do in order to see them in a truly positive way. How about you?
One of the times that stops me seeing it positively, is when I feel that my to-do list is overtaking. I see so much that has to be done that in the end, it’s almost like I get paralysed by it all and end up being much less productive than I want to or need to be.
In these instances there are two tips that help me:
- Divide my work into two piles – the “too hard to do pile” and the “easy” pile.
The ‘too hard to do pile’ tends to be full of things that are going to take more time to do, that I find hard or difficult, that involve lots of moving parts or that simply don’t motivate me. The ‘easy’ pile tends to be full of things that are quick to do, give me instant gratification or that I simply enjoy. It can also be things like clearing up my email inbox or tidying my office or desk!
One of my first bosses, said to me once, “Sonia, for every three things you do from your “easy” pile, you need to do one thing from your “too hard to do” pile. This has been a great way of making sure that I don’t procrastinate, that I get on with things that I may find more difficult. Try it. What’s in your too hard to do pile?
2. Covey Eisenhower prioritisation matrix
Take your to-do list and literally divide it into these 4 boxes. When I look at the important and urgent box, I put in there things that only I can do. In the important but not urgent box, I make sure that I include in there all those things that if I don’t schedule them, they will become urgent. And that includes all the self care things, like exercise, meditation, and even sleep!
And then the boxes I always surprise myself with are the two bottom ones – what do I delegate and what can I just disregard or even bin! Ad if you’re thinking that you don’t want to overburden your team, reassure yourself that if you’re thinking that you are very unlikely to do it! In fact, ask yourself: “Am I allowing them to support me? Am I enabling them to learn new things?”
Oe of the managers I was working with a few weeks ago came back after this session and told me that she had literally recouped 4 hours in her day which she could devote to other things!
Give it a try! And see how you end up getting more done and with much less anxiety and stress
Speak soon
Sx
