Today, many of us are in pursuit of productivity, experimenting with different tools and techniques. At the same time, trying to be as effective as possible, we often strive not for productivity as such, but rather for its idea. We read smart articles, unquestioningly follow the advice of experts and wait for them to work. The truth is that there is no productivity recipe that will suit everyone. To succeed in this direction, it is necessary to take into account the existing myths about productivity. In this article, we will talk about the most common of Myths About Productivity.
Myth #1. To keep up with everything, you need to get up early- Myths About Productivity
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Admit it, each of you has ever stumbled upon an article along the lines of “Why Every Successful Entrepreneur Should Get Up at 4 a.m.” Does an early rise really contribute to productivity growth? We used to think that thanks to early awakening, we have additional time to solve current and accumulated tasks. However, this is not entirely true. According to studies, to be as efficient as possible, you need to work in those hours that are best for you.
If you notice that in the morning hours you are really productive and focus well, then try to solve all the important tasks in the morning. The same applies to “owls”: use the evening and night time with maximum benefit. What really hinders your productivity is trying to force yourself to work at the wrong time for your body.
Myth #2. You can only be productive in the office- Myths About Productivity
This statement may have been true about ten years ago, when the right applications were not at hand, but in the modern world this is no longer the case. Many studies show that working from home or a coffee shop actually increases productivity. With the right tools, remote and distributed teams can work as efficiently as those in the office all the time.
It’s more about preferences and habits. People who are comfortable working from the office surrounded by colleagues will be most productive in the office. And introverts and homebodies often turn out to be highly successful remote employees. The bottom line is that people are most productive when they work in the most suitable conditions for them.
Myth #3. Sleep – for weaklings- Myths About Productivity
Sleep, like the optimal time, is an individual factor. Some people need more than 8 hours to get enough sleep, and someone is quite enough and 6. What’s more, individual sleep needs can change over time depending on mood, time of year, mental strain, and other factors. But lack of sleep really interferes with productivity. Therefore, determine how much time you need, and try not to violate the regime.
Myth #4. Being busy = being productive
When you are constantly busy with something, there is an illusion that you are very productive and in control of your time. If you proudly tick off some done things on your checklist, it does not mean that you are productive. If this sheet is filled with unimportant and non-urgent matters that can be delegated or not performed at all, then this cannot be called productivity. Moreover, the practice of trivial tasks is the main sign of procrastination and loss of productivity.
In order for your employment to give the maximum result, learn to prioritize tasks and perform the really important ones in the first place. To do this, you can use the Eisenhower matrix.
Myth #5. You need to force yourself to overcome recessions
A fairly popular tip: “The key to productivity is to learn how to work during downturns.” But why waste your energy on inefficient working hours? It is better to use this time with benefit to deal with simple routine tasks that do not require much involvement. For example, throw out excess papers from the table, check incoming mail or take a break and breathe fresh air. Don’t waste precious energy at a time of day when you’re least productive.
Myth #6. Work first
Truly successful and productive people know that you should not put work above all else in life. The true art is to find a balance between personal life and work.
If you decide to work on the weekend, then allocate clearly regulated hours for this. Otherwise, in the pursuit of productivity, you risk getting bogged down in work for the whole weekend. If you do not rest properly, energy reserves simply will not have time to replenish, and your level of productivity next week will drop significantly.
Myth #7. Multitasking is everything
Research in this direction suggests that multitasking is a killer of productivity. It’s impossible to do two things at the same time and be effective. In fact, multitasking is a constant switch from one activity to another in the same period of time. Every time you switch, it takes time for the brain to focus on a new task.
Also, multitasking negatively affects the quality of your work. If you constantly jump from one task to another, the overall result can be quite deplorable.
Myth #8. The Internet hinders productivity
Some people argue that the Internet fills the brain with unnecessary information, forcing us to think less and look for solutions to problems on our own. Of course, there is a certain level of information noise on the network, but the conclusion that the Internet makes us stupid is false.
On the contrary, the Internet helps to save time and allows us to spend it on really useful activities. There’s nothing wrong with googling some information instead of keeping a lot of unnecessary numbers and dates in mind.
Myth #9. More working hours = more work done
The statement that the more time you spend in the office, the more tasks you have time to close, is not 100% true. According to Parkinson’s Law, your work fills exactly the time that is allotted for it. For example, if you planned that today you need to go home before 6 pm, you will work with increased motivation in order to have time to finish all the work by that time. If you decide that you can stay late to do more, then with a high degree of probability you will do the same amount of tasks, while spending more time.
Myth #10. A Clean Workplace Increases Productivity
Whether a clean table helps to increase productivity or not depends on the person and their individual preferences. Research shows that some people, on the contrary, need some kind of “creative chaos” on the table to be inventive and effective. Not everyone will be productive in a perfectly organized workplace.
The problem with most of the myths listed above is that they are not universal for everyone at once. So when you’re looking to be more productive, focus on yourself and apply tips and techniques wisely.
