Our weeks can be a struggle when we’re plugging away with our work. There’s a lot of pressure to meet objectives which makes reaching them something to be proud of. Say, for example, you’re writing a book, you go through the long and testing process of writing it and eventually it gets published. An amazing feeling, without a doubt, deserves recognition. However, we can’t get complacent. There is now a decision to make because finishing one task never means you’re done chasing.
Productivity is a hard thing to maintain. It’s even harder to have it once you’ve spent too much time not being productive. The motivation and drive will not be the same and you could be limiting yourself immensely. You could exemplify this concept by the feeling that comes with going back to the office or the classroom after a vacation.
What’s the remedy for this? Well, there are numerous ways to keep this level of focus, but the most effective and straightforward one is to have disciplined roots that keep you chasing. For the example of the writer, this could be something as simple as reading a certain number of books before you plan to write your next one.
You should be proud of your accomplishments, and you should reward yourself after meeting a goal. But efficiency and opportunity are privileges, and it is entirely possible to lose your drive without maintaining tasks for yourself.
So what can you do to mitigate this loss and improve your ability to get it done? Here are some ideas:
Avoid Multitasking
Whatever you’re doing, give it all of your attention. Some may think “well I have a million different things to do in a day” and that is exactly why you should stop dividing your attention. Break up your day, dedicate time to your tasks where you don’t think about anything else but what you have to do.
You might notice that you save time while doing this, and you absolutely will because you are using your time far more efficiently. However, it will require more focus, which may make the desire to continue doing it less appealing. This is where you need to choose to trade what demands less of you for an investment of your attention. You will find this much more rewarding down the line.
Hold Others Accountable
In an organization, what you put out, you get back. If you are part of a team and make sure everyone is pulling their weight, they will return that energy. This is why mutual respect is important; you don’t want to boss people around and not do anything yourself (which we all know happens).
One of the best ways to go about this is leading by example. If you are consistently putting in effort and making a point to collaborate with others, the team will be highly motivated. You want to utilize your surroundings for a boost. It’s important to know that nobody can rely on someone else to keep them accountable. People are good for a reminder or inspiration, but real determination comes from the self.
Keep it Simple
You can come up with all kinds of goals and timelines for yourself or for others, but if they aren’t clear, they’re useless. Obviously, in the workplace things happen fast, they require urgency, but they cannot be tended to with care if there is extrinsic pressure. If you’re a leader, clarify and check in with your people. If you are working for someone else, ensure you can come to them for help.
There are many ways to “keep it simple”. One very effective way for a leader is to give information for short-term goals first. Then once that part is finished, you give more and continue breaking down the development process. This ensures you don’t overwhelm your team. This can also be applied to yourself— always focus on the closest step.
Conclusion
Ultimately every action is a trade-off, something that gives you pleasure now may cost you pleasure later. It’s always your choice, but make sure you consider your long-term goals with every action you take.
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