You just read the newest, hottest productivity book/blog/tips, and your resolve is high. This time you’re going to improve your productivity! You’ve wanted to make changes for awhile, and now you have a plan. Woohoo – bring the changes on, you’re thinking.
How long does the euphoria last? How many days, hours, minutes do you follow your guru’s productivity plan until you abandon it? Here’s the problem with these systems: they’re one size fits all. And you’re definitely unique in your productivity style – we all are.
If you want to take on your productivity challenges, here are the three things you should consider:
- What’s your natural behavioral style?
- What do you do when you are uber productive?
- What are your productivity habits – the good, bad & ugly?
Knowing, and honoring, your natural behavioral style will go a long way to help with productivity challenges. I will even go as far as to say that the reason you can’t follow these plans is that they are not necessarily compatible with your style. We have helped hundreds of clients be more productive simply by helping them do in a way that is natural to their behavioral style.
Honestly, I will never have a zero inbox for my email – ever. The thought of it makes me anxious. I’m afraid I won’t have something I need. Maybe for you, having a “manageable” number feels right, and you get to define “manageable” for yourself. Or having all that “visual clutter” is anxiety-provoking, and having a zero inbox makes you feel calm and organized. Guess what? They’re all right answers.
The other clues for beating productivity challenges come from what you already do well. I can’t tell you how many times I hear about what people do poorly in managing their time. If you want to make substantive changes, then think about the processes and systems that work for you. Makes sense, right? Of course, it’s easier said, then done. Our faults are usually top of mind, and what comes naturally, we overlook.
The last part of improving your productivity lies in your habits. What we do consistently gives us the best information about what we are committed to, no matter what our mind says. Understanding how habits are created and changed will help you make your productivity commitments stick.
You want to improve your productivity. Do these 3 things:
- Know your behavioral style, and use it to your advantage
- Use what you already do well to improve your productivity on the things that you want to change
- Examine your habits, and make changes that help you sustain your productivity objectives.
Is it easy? No. Is it doable? Absolutely yes! One step at a time, baby.