Three Areas that Kill Productivity

You ever wonder why, on some days, you might struggle with completing the simplest of tasks? A very high priority item might remain on your to-do list for far too long, a decision that needs to be made is avoided or your ideas aren’t as clear as you would like them to be?

Consider for moment that it isn’t because you’re just not good at getting things done. That there may be a systematic approach to becoming more efficient at productivity? In my own experience, I found that procrastination was merely a symptom; and that there were specific areas I was ignoring that not only drastically decreased my desire to procrastinate but also provided me with enough clarity to get ahead of the game.

The first area I put in check was waking up early (even when I didn’t have to). Waking up earlier means you have more daytime at your disposal. If I get up for 5am for yoga and I’m back home before 7am, by then I am wide awake and ready for anything. Because my daughters are still growing, they require a lot more sleep than I do. They don’t usually wake up until a couple of hours later, leaving me with those sweet and peaceful morning hours to write a blog, work on a project or to just meditate and relax. Just Google it, many sleep studies show that sleeping in, makes you more tired and sluggish throughout your day. Talking about a productivity killer, being tired makes, everything feel too hard to get done.

The second area I upgraded was my physical space. I realized only a few months ago that I am no good in small dark places. In the past, I’ve worked with many people who aren’t productive until the blinds are shut, the lights are dim and the door is closed. Imagine how rough it was for me to office with these people. I need bright, open spaces, with tall ceilings and large windows. I like to feel like I’m flying when I’m working, like if I were to float out of my chair and up to the ceiling, I would not hit my head. Interesting visual but that’s my personal measure. A wide open view is a bonus, but definitely a future must. My future home office is set up this way. This is the first area I drew on my vision board model, the home office needs to be ultra-conducive to my productivity needs.

My computer screen needs to be big and eye level, my chair needs to be firm but comfortable and there can be absolutely, positively no clutter. Either its trash or its filed away. How can anyone be productive if their space looks like an office supply store exploded on their desk?

The last area I tackled was not allowing other people’s needs to dictate my day. This is a big one. There is no easier way to kill your productivity than to cater to the needs and wants of others before you have decided what should be on your to-do list. In my experience, an empty to-do list is like a telepathic invitation to everyone around you that your day is free for the taking. “Can you bring me to work?” “Can you watch my kids?” “Can you help me with this project I’m working on?” Or, “I’m dropping the kids off early are you home?” My answer to each and every one of these requests are NO, NO and NOT TODAY!

Novels don’t write themselves, neither do blogs and paying clients should not have to wait for their deliverables.

Allowing your time to be hijacked at a moment’s notice not only kills your productivity but it also weakens your boundaries and the weaker your boundaries are, the more room you leave open for unnecessary chaos. If It’s not on the schedule, I think long and hard about doing it.

Remember, this is about being productive not nice. But just for future reference, it’s always good to say no with a smile on your face and to let them know that the next time they need something, they should tell you ahead of time so no one is inconvenienced. This is how we show people that we respect our time, so they should too.

There are so many types of productivity killers and procrastination is usually the blame, but procrastinating only happens when something else is out of order.

Do any of these resonate with you?

Love,

~Jameelah

www.JameelahRaoof.com