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All too often we trick ourselves into believing that being busy equates with being productive.
We throw ourselves into a frenzy of tasks, doing whatever it takes to complete everything simultaneously, hoping that the busier we are, the more productive we will be.
While being busy may appear to be productive on the outside, being busy rather than productive actually compromises the quality of our work, while also negating any feelings of fulfillment that we would normally experience when we are productive.
So how do we transform our busy, rushed lives into meaningful, productive experiences that lead us to feel more fulfilled? How do we begin to feel more satisfied with the work we’re doing, rather than simply overwhelmed or distracted by too many tasks?
Learn how to be less busy and more productive with these 5 straightforward tips.
5 Ways to Be Less Busy and More Productive
1. Turn off any distractions. Think of all the notifications you receive on a daily basis. How many do you get from your social media platforms? From new emails in your inbox? From messenger applications (e.g., Slack or Facebook Messenger)? Cut down on these notifications, or better yet, turn them off. Without distractions like these, you’ll actually be able to focus rather than feeling like you’re being pulled in every direction. This means you’ll also be more productive with your work, rather than being just busy and addressing menial tasks.
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2. Keep your to do list short and sweet. When you start out each day, be sure to list your most important goals that you wish to accomplish that day. Narrow down your top priorities to two or three, rather than filling your list (and your day) with errands, rather than goals. You don’t have to try to squeeze in as many tasks or errands as possible to be productive. In fact, less is more when it comes to being productive and accomplishing what is most important to you.
3. Know what’s “urgent” versus what’s “important.” We often become busy and less productive when we feel like we have to address every problem or assignment that comes up right then and there, making every task feel urgent to us. When you start to feel overwhelmed from being too busy, take a moment to assess what is urgent versus what is important. Do you really have to check your email every 10 minutes? Or can it wait for an hour while you focus on a larger project? Focus on addressing the things that matter most first, and then come back to the others.
4. Don’t multitask. Busy people typically focus on multitasking and trying to do too many things at once, thus compromising the quality of their work and sapping their energy. Productive people, on the other hand, place quality and focus over speed. They set their sights on doing the most important tasks first as efficiently as possible, rather than trying to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously.
5. Take breaks. Perhaps one of the most defining characteristics of being productive is that productivity allows for meaningful breaks that help you to reenergize. Being busy, conversely, typically doesn’t allow time for breaks that are refreshing. Productive people know that taking breaks are key for keeping their brains sharp throughout the day. Think of your brain like you do the rest of your body. You wouldn’t finish a marathon and then start another one right after, would you? Your brain needs time to rest after strenuous activity, just like your body does.
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