Real talk and real solutions from a chronic productivity struggler.
Confession: Productivity has always been a challenge for me. Unlike others who seem to navigate tasks with ease, I've consistently grappled with organization, managing to-do lists, and staying focused.
This isn't a new problem. Going back to 7th grade, my history teacher, Mrs. Petrich noticed the gap between my potential and performance. She worked with me after class to identify what were my unique challenges and create personalized systems and strategies, and with her help, I improved my grades and found joy in schoolwork.
As an adult, the stakes are higher, and the need for productivity is even more pressing. In my ongoing productivity journey, I've sifted through endless advice and realized a crucial truth: No tip or system matters without self-awareness. Unfortunately, the latest app or fancy planner won't magically transform your life.
What truly makes a difference is understanding what works for you and you personally. So, in true coach form, I’m here not to dictate solutions but to guide you with questions that prompt self-reflection to help you help yourself. By gaining self-awareness, you can develop tailored strategies and effective action plans for real, meaningful progress.
Here are three areas that affect productivity and reflection questions that can help you uncover your unique path to becoming more efficient and effective.
1. Identifying Core Personal Struggles
What we see as productivity struggles are not often the whole picture. To make sustainable and lasting changes we need to address the root of the problem. Ask yourself: What aspects of productivity challenge me the most? Is it staying on task, planning your workflow, coping with disruptions, or procrastinating and getting started?
Once you identify these areas, get curious. Let’s say you’re having trouble getting started. Is that because you are uncertain where to begin, you lack clarity of the assignment or is it perfectionism and fear of failure? With this knowledge, you can take action towards finding solutions, be it filling in information gaps, seeking help from a colleague, or working with a coach to address underlying issues of self-criticism and self-worth. There are thousands of productivity tips and tricks, but without addressing core challenges, these tips are just going to put a bandaid on a bullet hole.
2. Uncovering Underlying Issues
When faced with overload, for instance in a startup with a high volume of tasks coupled with limited resources, ask yourself: What part of my workload is most overwhelming? Perhaps it’s the endless task list, last-minute assignments or unrealistic deadlines. With this knowledge, you can prioritize tasks based on impact and urgency and consider options like outsourcing for workload management.
Additionally, you can dig a bit deeper and ask, ‘What do these challenges indicate about my needs and priorities? What could they indicate about our team and work practices? Perhaps this signaling deeper issues like poor communication or siloed working? What steps can I take to enhance collaboration and communication, and set clear boundaries at the same time? Addressing both immediate workload concerns and organizational factors paves the way for sustainable solutions.
3. Managing Negative Self-Talk
Be mindful of your internal dialogue. Labeling yourself as 'lazy' or a 'procrastinator' or wondering "What’s wrong with me? Why didn't I start sooner?" is about the most unproductive thing you can do. This persistent self-criticism leads to poor self-esteem, stress and burnout. Instead, name this critical inner dialogue purely as thoughts, not fact.
A few questions to explore as you shift from negative self-talk into more productive inner dialogue would be, “What would it look like if I approached my productivity challenges with self-compassion instead of self-criticism? How might my perspective on productivity change if I viewed it as a journey with ups and downs rather than a binary good/bad skill? What would be possible then? How might this change my actions and decision making?
Effective productivity is less about one-size-fits-all solutions and more about personal discovery. It involves identifying your unique challenges, understanding your specific circumstances and transforming your mindset.
And let’s give a big shoutout to Mrs. Petrich who taught me that even if it doesn’t come easily, with self-awareness and tailored strategies, productivity is within reach, allowing performance to truly reflect potential.