For example, in agriculture, one acre of land producing 10 pumpkins is not very fruitful, but one acre of land producing 2,000 pumpkins is a much better return for pumpkin cultivation.
But what is productivity in relation to our daily lives? Presenting theories and examples based on abstract units of work or a number of plants is very easy, but to get what you want in life, you have to learn that what makes you a productive person is not a schedule or a to-do list, as the art of being productive is much deeper than that.
What Is Productivity?
In his book, Smarter Faster Better, author Charles Duhigg defines productivity as “making choices in certain ways that move us from ‘just being busy’ to being ‘truly productive’.” For American writer Tony Robbins, his approach to productivity focuses on ways in which people can organize and better manage their lives so they can stop procrastinating and have more time to do what they want.
How can we define productivity? While the ultimate goal of how to be a productive person in life is personal, productivity is about getting the results you want with less time and effort. When you're trying to understand how to be a productive person, what you're looking for is a way to achieve your goals with enough time to invest in the things that really matter. As Charles Duhigg said in an interview on The Tony Robbins Podcast, “We're in an economic revolution,” and as economic drivers change, productivity becomes a growing concern.
Why Is Productivity Important?
Productivity is not just a way to get more done. When you ask yourself some questions like, “What is productivity for me?” or “Why do I want to be more productive?” The most obvious answer you can probably think of is that you will have more free time to do the things you really enjoy doing. If you are able to achieve your goals in a short time, this will save you time to set and achieve other goals, whether they are short-term or long-term goals, such as learning a new skill.
This has benefits; when you accomplish more tasks daily, you will notice that life pressures will decrease as a reward, and instead of trying to get things done in a rush, you'll see your tasks completed in a timely manner. In terms of business, you'll be able to get more done in less time, costs, and capital. When employee productivity increases, you increase efficiency while reducing costs, and this ultimately leads to improved cash flow and revenue.
The Difference Between Being Busy and Being Productive
It is also necessary to understand the opposite of productivity. When you think of a productive person in your life, you might imagine a person who is busy all the time, constantly jumping from one task to another, and making a great effort to deliver tasks on their deadlines, and it seems that the duties that they must do are piling up on them and increasing daily. That’s because we often equate productivity with being busy, but they are two completely different things.
When you know the true answer to the question, "What is productivity?" You won't miss deadlines, and you won't be behind in getting things done that you need to get done. Quite the opposite, actually; it is likely that you will get all your tasks done even before the scheduled date, and you will not feel stressed and anxious about the endless to-do list, and you will feel absolutely relaxed.
We all have 24 hours in a day, and productivity means being able to make the most of those hours and create lasting habits to get things done instead of trying to complete endless to-do lists.
Tips for Working Smarter, Not Harder
1. Find Out What Makes You Productive
What is productivity for you? Why do you want to increase your productivity? Connecting productivity with your passion and purpose in life is the best way to inspire yourself to take action.
For the goals you have set in your life, why have you set those goals in the first place? If you want to increase your productivity, think about what motivates you to do so. It is likely that you would like to make more money at your job or to be able to do all the things you would like, but why? What is the desire or goal that drives you to take action? Do you want to become a better person? Or do you want to take better care of your family, community, or environment? Keeping your ultimate goal in mind will help point you in the right direction.
2. Benefit from Others' Productivity
We'd all like to succeed with less effort, but how do you measure productivity, let alone increase it? Your first step is to find some models of what productivity does and does not mean for you personally. Tony says, "There are signs of success and failure."
If you want to increase your productivity at work, present an example of your success in a manner similar to the success of a colleague who is famous for their productivity at work, and look for someone who has a clear vision of their work, sets a time period, and completes projects early. Ask them how they planned and developed their own schedule, and if they use specific tools, then you can start developing your own method based on theirs.
By finding people who embody the kind of meaningful productivity you seek, you can begin to envision what makes you a productive person, whether at work or at home.
3. Turn Productivity into a Habit
It would be great if you could say, "I'm going to make a change," and then make it happen without much effort, but learning how to be productive in life is a transition like any other in life that requires some work on your part. It can take up to three months to form a new habit, whether it's creating a daily to-do checklist to guide your day or about activities you want to do each week.
Once anything becomes a habit for you, it becomes easier to practice a routine, and soon you realize that a task can become a natural skill. By turning productivity into a habit, you can achieve more things in your professional and personal lives.
4. Use the Right Tools
Tony tells us that success is 80% mindset and 20% skill-set, but it's still important to have the right tools, whether it's apps or notebooks. There are a lot of things available to us that can help us.
Tony used his experience in providing coaching to many businessmen, entrepreneurs, and athletes to create his own methods for achieving productivity, such as: the RPM Life Planner, which is more than just a planner; it is a completely new way of thinking about your day and your life, so get off your to-do list, create a vision for your future, and then make your dreams come true.
In Conclusion
"You can't have a plan for your day until you have a plan for your life," says Tony Robbins. By using this plan for ten days, you'll discover what matters to you and how to make more time for these things in your life.
Remember that there is a big difference between being busy and getting things done. To-do lists can ensure that you get things done, but they don't guarantee that you will get closer to your ultimate goals. There are many ways to increase your productivity, and the main thing is to choose the right things for you and your ultimate goals. As you work to be a more productive person, you will have less wasted time in your life, and your focus will return to the things that matter to you.
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