Hello, blog readers. This week, I wanted to write about productivity. Because I know people can struggle with this concept or find it difficult to stay on top of all the tasks and responsibilities that life demands of us. And as someone who struggles with the idea that I can allow myself to rest and I don’t always have to be working on something or being productive, I feel as if I have some solid advice for people who maybe struggle with the motivation to be productive. There are two sides to the spectrum—overworking ourselves, and then there’s also being lazy and avoiding our responsibilities. And finding that balance can be hard for a lot of people. So like I said, I want to speak on that and hopefully give some helpful tips or advice.
What is Productivity?
In the simplest form of the word, productivity is how much you get done in a given period of time. Productivity can be in reference to completing tasks, achieving goals, or finding ways to maximize your time. Productivity is typically measured in outputs, such as the quantity or quality of the work you’re getting done. Finding a healthy balance between productive periods of life and adequate rest is essential to well-being.
But as we may know from experience, sometimes this balance is hard to find. But why is that?
Common Barriers to Productivity
There are a lot of things that get in the way of productivity and staying on top of your shit. I listed below 10 of the major barriers to productivity, and later in the post, I’m going to give you some tips on how to work around those. But right now, let’s explore what those barriers are.
Lack of motivation and self-belief
When you don’t feel like you’re capable of something or aren’t motivated to do it, buckling down and doing what you need to do can seem like an impossible task. Because if you don’t believe you can achieve something or complete a task, why even try? Confidence can carry you only so far, but the truth is, sometimes we need to do things that are out of our comfort zone. We may not be confident in our ability to do something, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s a task that needs to be done. The trick to overcoming this barrier is to build confidence in your ability to do hard things and to find the grit to do these hard things even when the motivation is not there (without overworking yourself, that is).
Burnout
Another common barrier to productivity is burnout. High levels of stress and burnout can decrease our productivity, impair our decision-making, and make it difficult to stay motivated and positive about whatever we’re working towards. To avoid burnout, you’ll have to learn to listen to your body and your mind. Know when you truly need a break or when you’re just telling yourself that you do out of pure laziness and lack of motivation. Learn to feel the signs of depletion early on, so you can take those breaks before you reach the point of burnout.
Lack of recognition or reward
The next common barrier to productivity I’m gonna mention is lack of recognition, or thinking you’ll reap no reward or benefit from the work you need or want to do. It can be hard to stay motivated or keep up the good work when you feel it’s all going unnoticed. Similarly, it can be hard to want to get things done when you feel it won’t be beneficial to you or be rewarding in any way. And that’s just how it is sometimes. There are things we have to do that we don’t necessarily enjoy, and getting that outstanding item off our to-do list is often the most rewarding thing about it. Shit like getting your oil changed or vacuuming your car. Stuff that no one is getting thrilled to do, yet we have to do sooner or later.
This also applies to physical or fitness-related goals. You may not see results or improvements right away, and that lack of reward can make it challenging to keep putting in effort. My best advice for overcoming this barrier is to have an internal reason for everything you do. If the only reason you want to pursue something or get a task done is for the applause and validation of others, well, that’s a little sick and disturbing. Find some reasons of your own that make you excited and motivated to keep going.
Procrastination
This is a big one. Personally, I can’t relate, but I’ll touch on it because I know a lot of people struggle with procrastination. When tasks seem daunting, oftentimes they’re put off and seen as a “future me problem”. Or if a task isn’t due til far in the future, we can push it off until that day is fast approaching. I wish I had better advice for overcoming procrastination as a barrier to productivity, but the best way is to just buckle down and do it. Grow up, grow a pair, or whatever else, and just do that daunting task on your to-do list.
Lack of clear goals
Next barrier- lack of clear goals. When what you need to do is unclear, that shit won’t be getting done. Step one is, of course, having a clear set of tasks or action steps before you, to actually work towards any goal or endgame. Make your goals clear, and you’ll consequently become a more productive person.
Overthinking and indecision
Two of my fatal flaws. And unfortunately, they can also put a hindrance on productivity and progress. When you’re unsure about what to do next or how you want to approach a certain goal, sometimes you just don’t do it. I’m an over-thinker myself and can find myself paralyzed by indecision. And when this happens, the only thing you can do is just make a decision. Maybe it’s the wrong one, but it’s better than no decision at all or inaction due to overcomplicating the task at hand. Maybe this is shitty advice because it seems too simple. “Just make a damn decision”, is easier said than done of course, but it may just be that simple. It may help to set a timer and give yourself a solid 10 minutes to contemplate whatever you need to, and when that time is up, make a decision and stick to it. Then whatever you do, don’t overthink the alternatives or question your instincts. And move the hell on.
Fear of failure
Sometimes we also stay stagnant and have less productive periods of life due to the fear of failure. We don’t want to attempt something that needs to get done because what if we fail? And as the cheesy saying goes, “you only fail when you refuse to try”. Because when you try and fail at something, you fail forward. You can learn something and take a lesson with you the next time you attempt that task or goal. And truly, life would be boring if we never failed. If we just got whatever we wanted on the first attempt all the time. Lame. As human beings, we also need the humility that comes with failure. On big and small scales. We don’t know everything, and we can’t succeed every time. The trick is knowing and accepting this and then using your failures to help pull you forward.
Disorganization
Next barrier- being disorganized. When you’re disorganized, what you need to do and when you need to do it becomes unclear. Get your shit together. Whether it be goals, life tasks, or those menial to-do list items, organize the action steps you need to take by making a list, sorting by level of priority, and giving yourself a deadline. Hold yourself accountable and stay on top of things.
External distractions
Why would I clean my room, do my laundry, work on assignments for school, or vacuum my car when I could just scroll on TikTok? That’s the real kicker. And honestly, it can be hard sometimes. But truthfully, you can only scroll for so long before you start to deteriorate. And once you hit that point, there are all your to-do list items waiting on the other side. So yeah, doom scroll, watch TV, read a book, do nothing. But when it’s time to be done with that, be productive. Find the balance. And during those times of mindless activity and rest, really appreciate it and take it in rather than stressing about being unproductive. Then, when it’s time to get to work, make the most of it. Know your limits and boundaries when it comes to external distractions and what those are for you. Have your time to indulge those, and have the wisdom to step away and work or be productive when you know you’ve reached your limit. And when you are doing productive tasks, try out the do-not-disturb setting on your iPhone. Because notifications can be a rabbit hole.
Lack of resources
The last barrier to productivity I’m gonna speak on is the lack of resources. Sometimes it can be hard to get shit done when you either don’t know how or don’t have the necessary resources available to you. And this one can be difficult because sometimes those things can be beyond our control and involve things like money, time, and access. Maybe there are things you need to do, but making that a reality seems unrealistic given your current circumstances or situation. And this can be the most difficult barrier to overcome because a lot of it can be outside our realm of control, as I’ve mentioned. Say you need to write a scholarship essay and you work full time, have children, and don’t have a laptop, so you can only go to the library or borrow a laptop to do this task. Yeah, shit sounds tough. I just came up with this example, of course, as none of those circumstances apply to me, yet you get the idea. Finding the time and means to do certain “productive” things can be hard. And sometimes, just not doing it or putting it off can be the easiest option. Sometimes it may even be the right option, depending on what your task or goal might be. Either way, use your discretion.
Now, for overcoming this said barrier, my best advice is never be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Be willing to reach out to others if you need help getting something done or just need someone else’s knowledge or set of resources. Secondly, I’d say always make a list of options for yourself. Know that you’re never actually stuck. There’s always someone willing to help or someone who can connect you with a resource that can help. So know your options, weigh those out, then use your discretion to make the best possible choice for yourself.
Tips for Becoming More Productive
Take breaks
This one is huge. Taking breaks is super important for increasing productivity because it decreases mental fatigue and allows time for our minds to rest so we can be sharper and on our A game when it comes to hammering it out again. When our brains aren’t given the time to recharge, we’ll hit the point of burnout. The way our bodies rebel without rest and recovery, our brains do the same. Just like we can’t perform our best physically without rest days, our minds can’t perform as well when we never take time off. We can come back to our tasks with a fresh perspective when we take time to step away. Taking breaks also helps reduce stress and enhances overall performance and productivity. So chill the fuck out. Take a break. Be unproductive. That way when it’s time to get shit done, you can really lock in.
Set goals
Setting goals is essential for productivity because it gives you something to work towards. A way to track your progress. It gives you a path, actionable steps, and a clear agenda. It’s important to set big goals for yourself in all areas of life, but also micro goals to help you reach the bigger ones. The goals we set for ourselves give us direction and help keep us motivated. When we have a roadmap of sorts, we can more easily prioritize tasks effectively. Our chances of reaching a desired outcome increase significantly when we set goals. No matter how small or seemingly insignificant. Lastly, setting goals enhances productivity because it minimizes distractions, helps us focus on what we want to achieve, reduces procrastination, increases accountability, improves time management, and fosters engagement. So, make goals for yourself. Know what you want to achieve or “be productive with”, and work towards that a little bit at a time.
Make a to-do list and categorize each item by priority level
My next bit of advice here is to make a massive to-do list and categorize each item by level of priority. Sometimes it’s relieving to just write down what you need to do. It makes it feel less scary and overwhelming because now you have a concrete list of tasks in front of you. Then you’ll want to rank them by priority and add deadlines if this is applicable. If something must be done by a certain date, make a note of that so you won’t forget. Further, you can set reminders on your phone for once a day for the whole week before a certain task is due. This constant reminder will help you stay on top of things. And it’s a sure way you won’t forget.
This tip right here is how and why I’m always getting shit done. Plus, I love making lists for some weird reason. Even if that list is just a bunch of shit I need to get done.
Have internal reasons for each goal or why you want to complete something
A few weeks ago, I talked a little bit about external validation, and it really is an awful mindset to be trapped in. And I mention that here because when you only have a goal you want to achieve or certain tasks you want to accomplish solely for the approval and praise of others, it won’t be sustainable. You’ll never continuously be productive and reach those goals because they don’t truly align with who you are. And if you do, you won’t feel fulfilled. So, whatever area of life you want to be more productive in, make sure you know what your reasons are for that. Those reasons should be for you, or simply out of practicality and the demands of life. But not for any sort of badge of honor from others.
Internal motivation can help increase productivity because it fosters fulfillment and engagement with the tasks and goals at hand. Intrinsic motivation leads to greater persistence, effort, and resilience, thus making it easier to reach our goals and get things done. We’re more involved in our lives when we are motivated by reasons within us to achieve certain outcomes. So again, it’s just something to think about and reflect on. What are your goals? Where do you want to be more productive? What do you need or want to get done? And why?
Put a time cap on your rumination and over-analyzation
I mentioned earlier that overthinking and indecision can put a damper on our productivity. Because this is true, I’d suggest setting a timer for 10-20 minutes and giving yourself full permission to contemplate whatever it is you cannot decide about. After you reflect and contemplate, and that timer goes off, you’re done. You make a decision, and that’s that. You follow through with it. Maybe it’s the wrong one, but who cares because any decision is better than no decision and the subsequent inaction that follows. As a disclaimer, I would not recommend this for major life decisions. As a rule of thumb, if this decision won’t alter your life a week from today, use the timer tool to cap your contemplation. Because if you’re anything like me, you may be indecisive for hours on end, which only causes you further stress. Not fun.
Learn from failures
It’s important to have the right mindset around failure, especially because fearing failure can inhibit productivity and progress. Don’t be scared of not succeeding the first time you attempt something. That’s just not realistic. That’s just not life. Use your failures as a way to learn. And take that knowledge with you the next time you attempt something. Learning from your failures increases productivity because it allows you to see what your weaknesses are and make adjustments and improvements. It enables you to refine your approaches to any task and leads to more efficient and effective work processes. When you learn what doesn’t work, you can better figure out what does. And once you figure out what works, focus on that and discard the strategies that didn’t work so well. So fail better. Fail forward. Learn from your mistakes.
Put your phone on “Do Not Disturb” when doing important tasks that require your focus and attention
When you don’t have a constant buzz or ringing in your ear, you’re less inclined to check the phone. So when you’re doing those productive tasks or trying to get into that “flow state”, put the phone on silent. It helps.
Closing
Okay everyone. That’s all I have to share this week. I hope this discussion was helpful or in some way relatable to you. I can always learn from my own advice. And I hope you all can too. Whatever I choose to write about is typically also what I need to hear most. And that’s why I write. Because I need to hear this kinda shit from time to time. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chat.
For anyone wanting to learn more about health and wellness, check out this post: What Are the Dimensions of Wellness.
Be back next week! Lots of love, angels.