It seems that the topic of productivity is already completely exhausted. Articles, lectures, courses, special applications that constantly try to assure you that they will help you become a person who does everything. But do not take every popular piece of advice as true. Let’s talk about popular false truths which will not help you increase your productivity, but might even slow down your progress.
- The more you work, the more you get done. Everyone had days where they had to stay late at work, hoping to do something beyond the plan. Everything seems to be logical: the more time we devote to a task, the better it will be performed. Not certainly in that way. If you work overtime, the chances of getting exhausted by the end of the day are much higher than the chances of perfectly made work. Yes, staying up late will get you done more, but exactly the same amount you would have done the next morning. Only in less time and much better quality. Be smart about determining the length of your workday and avoid overworking if possible.
- Remote work is less efficient. Perhaps this was true long ago. But a lot has changed since then, especially during the period of a global pandemic. Thanks to the advancement of digital technology, tasks that previously required an indispensable presence in the office can now be performed from home. In the 21st century, you can work anywhere, as long as nothing distracts you. Plus, there is such a huge range of applications for your gadgets that help you solve many issues. If you want to keep in touch with your colleagues who work remotely, you’ll need apps and tools for online collaboration such as software for voice messaging, project management software, video conferencing software, etc.
- Many people are convinced that they are able to work effectively only under constant pressure. Some even corner themselves on purpose to finish a task. Of course, this strategy has certain merit in the short term, but it is not the wisest decision. Stress has a negative impact on both work performance and health, so it should be kept to a minimum.
- Being busy forever is the same as being productive. That is definitely not the truth. Loading yourself up with unnecessary, time-consuming tasks is one of the most useless undertakings. This behavior should be avoided by all means. Instead of focusing on things that don’t matter, do something that really matters.
- The same system works for everyone. We are all different, ranging from profession to personal qualities. It is logical that one particular mode of increasing productivity will not work absolutely always and everywhere. Find what is right for you, even if searching and experimenting will take a long time – they will become an investment in the future. Don’t let others decide what’s good for you. Only you can know this.
- Multitasking means efficiency. In theory, everything is quite simple: if you solve several problems in parallel, you can do more. In practice, the consequences can be disastrous. You have to divide your attention and thoughts between two or even more tasks, as a result, you will not do either of them as well as you could. With this approach, performance at best will remain the same, at worst – and more likely – significantly reduced.
Breaks are a waste of time. Taking a break is an integral part of any workday. Taking a short break can help relieve stress and make sure you get the job done. Anyone who considers this a waste of time is mistaken. Moreover, you can use these breaks with benefits, like listening to a podcast, learning a new language, or just walking outside.
