5 Ways NOT Getting Things Done Can Make You Productive

When we are busy our first instinct is generally to rush through and get as much done as possible There are a million articles out there that aim to help you fit more into your day and manage your time by multitasking. After all, it is much better to make calls, wash dishes, do crunches, file your taxes and fold laundry with your toes rather than do everything one at a time. Right?

Actually, doing too much can really hurt your productivity. Not to mention make you go a little crazy. There are many instances where not doing things can be more beneficial for you.

1. Don’t Surf The Web

It happens to us all; you are just planning on checking your email and Facebook quickly before moving on with work. But before you know it an hour has passed and your concentration is fully broken. It might seem harmless to surf the web on breaks, and maybe even a part of your regular routine. But there is so much to tempt us on the web these days that it is a sure way to kill your work ethic and waste time better spent elsewhere.

2. Don’t Multitask

Have you ever bragged about your ability to multitask? Again and again, studies have shown that those of us who think we do well with a million different directions for our focus are actually less productive than we think. In fact, we might be severely limiting our ability to stay concentrated on a task and perform it to the best of our ability. No matter how much you have to do, you shouldn’t try to do it all at once. It won’t improve your performance, and it might lead to you being unable to finish all that you need to, full stop. Doing things on the go is good only if those things are non-important.

3. Don’t Overburden Your Schedule

You might have an hour or two in your day that you think could be put to better use. But shoving in more work, even if it is personal rather than professional, is a quick way to screw up the rest of your life. Our minds and bodies don’t function on the basis of time, but on our energy. Expending too much can burn us out and make it hard to find the motivation to do what we need to.

4. Don’t Be A Slave To Plans

Sometimes things just don’t work out the way we wish they would. Appointments get canceled, traffic makes us late, things come up or we get sick…it is a regular part of life. If you are too rigid with your plans and schedule, you run a risk of stressing yourself out for no reason. Be fluid with changes and adapt without trying to force yourself to retain a single schedule.

5. Don’t Work Without Breaks

That deadline is looming and you are in full panic mode. You plan to rush through with no breaks, no lunch and nothing but a cup of coffee in one hand to sustain you. This is a bad idea. Forcing yourself to work without breaks is a sure way to have you trudging through and unable to reign in your focus before long. You will slow down, and productivity will be hindered. Take a break now and again, and don’t overwork yourself.

Have some tips on maintaining productivity? Let us know in the comments.

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