People are always looking for ways to accomplish more by doing less. And, the funny thing is, is that’s exactly what I just said. By doing less, you can accomplish more. What I’m talking about is avoiding distractions while you work.
Think about what it might be like when you’re sitting in your office working. The phone rings, you might pick it up. You may hear an audible tone every time you receive an email. You have junk on your desktop that pulls your eyes, and therefore your attention, from the task at hand. And, then there’s the coffee cup or the water bottle, and maybe even a bag or plate of food. The radio might be on, or a television, or you may even be hooked up to your iPod. All this amounts to a lot of distraction.
Distraction means a decline in productivity. The mind can only be effectively engaged with one thing at a time. When it’s pulled in a million directions, your energy becomes dissipated and you actually tire more easily. Some folks actually enjoy some distraction because it’s energizing. And, that is a personal choice. But for most, distractions only serve to slow you down from finishing your work.
So the fastest way to accomplish anything is to cut out all distraction. Instead of working with the television on, try working in silence. Only return calls or answer emails at set times during the day. Stop eating and drinking while you work and, instead, save those activities for breaks between projects. These are just a few things that you can do to turn down the “noise” so you can get things done.
For this week, take some time to consider all of the distractions you contend with on a daily basis. What can you change in your working environment, which will increase your productivity, so you can accomplish more in less time? Try making a few changes to see what happens. I think you’ll like the results.
Posted on Sep 27th 06 by Tara Alexandra Kachaturoff.
Tara Alexandra Kachaturoff is the creator, producer and host of Michigan Entrepreneur TV, a weekly television talk show featuring business leaders and businesses from start-up to stellar. With over 15 years of experience in corporate finance in the tech sector, she now coaches executives and business professionals on leadership, management, operations, and relationship issues. http://www.tarakachaturoff.com
Other posts on Coachamatic by Tara Alexandra Kachaturoff.
I think your advice is worth noting, but what makes people change habits? I agree that cutting out distractions helps with productivity, but it’s not easy. Personally, I remember a time when I used to chat with people online and somehow I broke free many magical years ago.
But now during a bit of a winter break I find myself stretching work around free time like watching movies or learning about unnecessary things on the internet instead of relaxing when I have deserved it. I can’t seem to work well without proper schedules or deadlines in my face.
How can I become my own boss and tell myself to throw away all the new ways I waste time?
Michal:
That’s a good question and I’m not sure I have an answer for that. I think what makes people change habits is pain. They get to a place in their life and/or business — things aren’t going as planned, they’re not achieving the results they desire, and they find themselves disenchanted and disconnected from their inner joy.
They know that if they keep on doing the same things, they’ll most likely achieve the same results — and that isn’t good enough. So they make a change. I’m not saying it’s easy — because most times change isn’t. But we all get to a point where we realize that if we want things to be different — we must take the first step ourselves.
Don’t think that taking time to do the things that you enjoy doing are a waste of time. Just be with the experiences you’re having. Maybe you need the rest and relaxation. These might be the very things that will jumpstart creativity and take you in a new direction.
And, many people don’t work well without schedules or deadlines to meet.
That’s natural. You need to find what works for you — it doesn’t matter what works for other people or what they think about your own personal workstyle. You are your own boss — you work “when” you want to work and “how” you want to work.
If you can’t work well without structure — create these things for yourself. For me, I have daily, weekly, and monthly To Do lists and schedules. I have scheduled activities and deadlines for personal projects, my television show, and also for my coaching and consulting practice. Personally, I wouldn’t get anything done without my calendar and my lists. I, too, don’t work well without a structure in place.
I hope this helps Michal and thanks for connecting through Coachamatic.