The world of work has changed, and a growing number of productivity killers can have a direct impact on success.
These productivity killers can derail careers and businesses.
Warren Bonheim, entrepreneur and managing director of the ICT and telecommunications company Zinia, shares the six productivity killers that can have the greatest impact.
Incorrect use of focus and energy
Every person’s body and mental rhythm is different. We all have times throughout the day where we have more energy to focus, and times when our energy dips. Yet most people fail to utilise peak energy times to their advantage.
By using peak energy times to focus on high-impact activities and low energy times to do tasks that do not require huge mental focus, you will dramatically increase your productivity.
Failing to take breaks will also drain energy. When you take short breaks to boost your energy, you can resume your tasks with more focus.
Lack of capacity
Having too much work and not enough capacity is an absolute productivity killer. Yet, when you put your head down and try to tackle everything, what suffers the most is your ability to achieve.
We relentlessly rush through tasks to meet deadlines, never really giving every task or project the time it deserves to be done thoroughly. Not to mention the emotional impact of not being fully satisfied with the work done.
By taking time to evaluate your available work hours and ways of working realistically against the work you have, and understanding your true capacity, you can implement solutions.
Distractions
Distractions affect your ability to focus and get work done. Be aware of the distracting influences in your work environment.
Set some clear boundaries, such as wearing headphones that signal you wish not to be disturbed, or work from a boardroom when you need time to focus.
Another distraction is messaging apps and emails with sounds signalling the arrival of a new message, thereby making their presence immediately felt.
By putting notifications on silent for a short time, or resisting the urge to keep checking emails, you give yourself time to focus.
Lack of time management
Whether you work remotely or in the office, time management is an issue that affects everyone.
The key to time management is being aware of where you spend most of your time and then finding a way to effectively manage your time throughout the day.
Micromanagement
This has to be one of the biggest productivity killers of the day. While micromanagement has its place if a person is not performing, it places immense stress on you and produces the opposite desired result.
Understanding why people micromanage gives some insight, and this is further exacerbated by the shift to remote working where people are disconnected.
Constant check-ins are an interruption to the flow of work and can hinder progress.
Use of technology systems or processes
Technology or processes can sometimes result in unproductivity.
Whether an inconsistent internet connection, an inefficient process, slow computer applications, or lack of technology training, this is often a silent productivity killer that flies under the radar.
Productivity leads to success. Embracing dependable technological tools to help you may be just what you need to banish those productivity killers forever.
