Productivity, Communications & Distractions
The majority of us battle every day to get that "To-Do-List” finished. Battling to reach targets, finish tasks and ultimately be productive in our work day. But what if turned that on its head and looked at what supports our productivity, holistically? Taking a longer-term view to embed a better overall work-life-balance?
Many organisations and individuals (despite the challenges of working from home in an emergency) have reported productivity gains during this recent period. This supports, the wider evidence-based research that validates that there is productivity gains for organisations applying remote work - find a summary of the research in this article by HBR Professor Choudhary. We need to keep this front of mind when considering our overall attitude to supporting productivity, managing distractions and enhancing remote communications on an ongoing basis.
Consider the current context
We are moving through an exceptional of accelerated change and learnings. Many workers have been thrown into the “remote work deep-end”, learning by doing and also working through challenging circumstances with external stressors, home/work space distractions, fatigue and potentially lack of the right technical infrastructure.
So with the current context in mind and the stress it may cause, with the knowledge that in the main productivity has been maintained - how can you reset the balance to prioritise the quality of your downtime and breaks, to ensure you are refreshed and ready on return to your desk. Keep reading:
Start with self-care: that is the place to start, as we cannot pour from an empty cup. How would you rate your current self-care? Be honest! See if you can come up with creative ways to support that self-care; setting goals for walking, craft projects, cookery challenges, book clubs etc. Whatever interests you, what matters most is the a. the total time spent on these activities b. your consistency and dedication to these activities. Please note, if you cannot find blocks of time, try taking short breaks of 2-5 minutes, focusing on finding peace and quiet time during those short periods.
Know yourself better: how is your self-awareness, in relation to that self-care? Furthermore, do you know when you are not able to be productive, experiencing from fatigue and needing a break? We all need to be more intentional in relation to this. For example, planning downtime, breaks and personal commitments before work. I suggest placing a reminder in your calendar for this for every Friday, to ensure that for the following week you are focusing on yourself, your self-care, as the priority.
Right to write: I always encourage the writing down (old style, with a pen or pencil) of these self-observations, intentions, personal insights and areas for improvements. Neuroscience confirms that self-reflection quality is bolstered by writing, activating the RAS and helping us process and embed any resulting actions.
Accept what you can’t control: In terms of work space location, noise, distractions etc. it should help to write down what you can and cannot control, in particular distractions. Stick it up somewhere you will see it. Revisit it regularly, place your focus on the positive i.e. what you can influence and control. Enhance what you can control, acknowledge the rest, but don’t let it weigh you down.
Check your own self-talk: Listen to your own self-talk, you know what/who I mean?? The inner voice that is often negative. Endeavour to control that dialogue. Change the inner critic into a supporter, a coach on your side. Write down and focus on only the positive dialogue, that will start to take back who is in charge!
Productivity tips: (after you have ensured self-care and awareness are in check) Move onto these various supports, from timers, to time blocking, planning management to various apps and specific techniques. There is also a whole area on Task Categorisation, including the well know Eisenhower Matrix. Build your awareness and educate yourself on these approaches what is available. Be open to trying the various things that may appeal. Explore and be brave!
Small steps: start with small things you can change over the coming weeks. Support that with your writing practice and intention.
Best of Luck!