In your continued journey towards your personal self-growth, your willingness to develop and be taught in new methods by no means fails to encourage me. Which is why, at this time, I wish to focus on a standard false impression that so many people grapple with usually: the concept of being busy vs. being productive.

In our fast-paced society, with virtually instantaneous communication, the expectation is that we’re at all times obtainable, and within the common rush of our every day lives, being busy is seen as some form of badge of honor. We regularly equate busyness with productiveness, pondering that if we’re not always doing one thing, we’re not making progress. 

However is that the case? I don’t assume so.

Being busy merely means you’re occupied. It doesn’t essentially imply you’re being productive. So, what’s the distinction between being productive and busy?

Productive vs. busy: What’s the distinction?

Once we have a look at what it means to be busy vs. productive, I’m reminded of one thing my grandmother at all times stated: “Should you want one thing executed, give it to the busiest individual you realize. However if you need one thing executed proper, you might simply should do it your self.”

The extra I take into consideration this, the extra it rings true. Productiveness is about being intentional, proactive and environment friendly. It’s about reaching outcomes, being efficient and doing issues that transfer you nearer to your targets. Productiveness requires that your actions have that means and objective—you’re intentional about what you do, each professionally and personally.

Conversely, being busy is a state of reactivity, the place you fill your time with busy work (no pun supposed) that doesn’t result in any higher objective or outcome. Typically, the busiest folks we all know are the least productive as a result of they’re juggling too many duties in too little time with out specializing in what’s really essential.

So, how do you shift from being busy to being productive?

How one can shift from being busy to being productive

Shifting your understanding of what it means to be busy versus productive is step one to leaving the busy work behind and changing into extra productive. It begins with setting clear targets and priorities, understanding what you really wish to obtain and focusing your vitality on duties that deliver you nearer to these targets. Listed below are some tricks to get you began.

1. Audit your to-do checklist 

To-do lists can shortly change into bloated with duties that aren’t related to your private targets for the day or the work you truly want to finish. You solely have a lot psychological vitality in a given day to commit to your to-do checklist, so auditing it may well enable you to give attention to the duties that want your most fast consideration. By chopping your checklist right down to essentially the most related duties, you possibly can strategy your checklist with extra focus and intentionality.

Implement the 1-3-5 rule as you audit your to-do checklist. Primarily, this rule has you map out one giant job, three medium duties and 5 smaller duties you wish to full. This helps preserve your to-do checklist small and manageable. You may simply apply this methodology to your every day or weekly to-do checklist. 

2. Create a time administration matrix

If you wish to ditch a extra conventional to-do checklist, contemplate making a time administration matrix—a to-do checklist that places all of your duties in a single place. A time administration matrix is damaged into 4 sections, showcasing which of your duties are essential, not essential, pressing and never pressing. By visually seeing which duties fall below every class, you possibly can simply deal with a very powerful and pressing ones first.

To get essentially the most out of your time administration matrix, make sure to not overfill it. You may implement the 1-3-5 rule as you fill out your matrix or set a restricted variety of duties you’ll embody. When you full a job, cross it off the matrix earlier than including something new.

3. Let your self disconnect

I’m not speaking about tossing your telephone right into a lockbox or out the window right here. However your telephone and laptop are the best methods for folks to contact you each for socialization and at hand off duties, work and issues they want you to do. By disconnecting your self a bit, you’ll have the ability to reclaim a few of your time and in the reduction of on the busy work that so typically finds its manner into our every day routine.

Some easy methods to disconnect and put a buffer between you and busy work embody:

• Preserve your telephone or laptop on silent or in do-not-disturb mode. This helps minimize down on notifications from purposes, web sites and your electronic mail and provides you the prospect to get to them if you’re prepared. 
• Flip off notifications utterly. This cuts down on pop-up alerts in your display screen always, each for work and personal-related apps. 
• Spend time exterior every week by strolling, enjoying a sport or simply sitting to learn. 

4. Say no to duties when you want to

Saying no could be onerous for anybody, particularly in case you assume you possibly can deal with no matter is being requested of you. However that is the place a way of self-discipline turns out to be useful, particularly as you give attention to being productive vs. being busy. Apply productive decision-making by saying no to sure duties; this can assist preserve your time yours and can enable you to keep centered in your targets. 

Whenever you say no, whether or not it’s to non-public or skilled asks, you’ll want to be agency and clear. You may present a cause if you wish to or you possibly can select to not clarify—often, a easy “My schedule is full” works simply advantageous. Bear in mind: You’re saying no to issues that don’t align along with your targets. You solely have a lot time in your day, and saying no is a ability that may enable you to reclaim time.

With these tips about methods to shift from being busy to being productive, I additionally need you to recollect how essential it’s to know when to take a break. Productiveness isn’t about fixed motion however about good motion. Relaxation and rejuvenation are key parts of sustainable productiveness.

I wish to depart you with one problem. Problem your self to evaluate your actions. Are they maintaining you busy or making you productive? Are you operating on a wheel, or are you shifting towards your targets? 

The objective is to not be busy and in fixed movement however to be productive and make significant progress. So, care for your self, keep centered and do not forget that your value just isn’t outlined by how busy you’re however by the progress you make!

Photograph by ©Mike D’Avello

Amy Somerville, CEO of SUCCESS® Enterprises, is a mission-driven chief with demonstrated success in growing extremely efficient groups, delivering dynamic studying methods, and constructing engaged communities. She is a passionate community-builder, gathering like-minded, profitable entrepreneurs and businesspeople to share greatest practices for achievement. She lives her life deliberately and is pushed every day by the acronym L.I.V.E.: LEAD, INSPIRE, VALUE, EMPATHIZE. Observe Amy on Instagram, Fb and LinkedIn.