“Depending on what they are, our habits will either make us or break us. We become what we repeatedly do.”
― Sean Covey
Another year is coming to an end and we’re probably having another huge checklist we call “Resolutions” and a bucket list of other things. But just as we embrace the fresh things that are coming for us, we must also reassess our habits and how we approach the daily grind. Unfortunately, we fail to notice that many of the habits we’re guilty of doing are actually killing our focus and productivity.
You may need to figure out first what makes you ineffectual and recognize them for what they are before taking the necessary steps to control them. Remember, we become what we repeatedly think and do. So if you want to seize the day and get as many things done as possible, consider ditching these bad habits to lead your most intentional life.
1. Using too many productivity tools and apps.
Slack, Skype, Asana, Jira, Trello, Evernote, you name it — there’s an awesome productivity tool or app that suits our any tasks and needs. But when you use too many of these tools, you may end up wasting time updating each and every one of them instead of actually using them to complete the tasks you have. That will just defeat their purpose and make you counterproductive.
Productivity Tip: Find a tool or app for each task and function (e.g. Slack for communication, Trello for checklists), learn as much about it, and stick to it. It may also be helpful to use tools that cover multiple bases or sync up with others easily so there’s a smoother flow when you transition between them.
2. Mindless browsing on your social media accounts and other websites
This habit is probably something we’re all guilty about! Who doesn’t, now that we’re living in this digital age and many of the things we need are only a click away. It’s also not easy to control, especially for virtual assistants whose main job is to manage their clients’ social media accounts and websites. There’s the obsession to feel constantly “connected,” and sometimes it’s easier to forget about our workload and just scroll, scroll, and scroll. As the day ends, we realize that we’ve got mountains of things to do and have wasted so much time.
Productivity Tip: If you can, block social media channels and other sites during certain times of the work day so you won’t be tempted to check them. Similarly, you can completely turn off the internet connection on your handheld devices so you won’t get distracted to check your notifications, or watch that cute cat or dog video. Make it a habit to only grab your phone during lunch or restroom breaks if you need to send any important messages.
3. Multi-tasking
While it is the flip side of procrastination, multi-tasking could also be detrimental to your productivity in several ways. If you keep flipping back and forth between multiple tasks, you’re channelling more of your energy and attention on the act of switching tasks, instead of completing the task you have at hand. This lowers your productivity and could cause you to make more mistakes because the act of “switching gears” also drains your mental resources.
Productivity Tip: Be a completionist! Don’t be tempted to switch between tasks, no matter how much you want to. This will help build your focus and improve your work quality.
If you feel that multi-tasking is the only way for you to go, write down all of your tasks in one day and group two to three similar tasks together. Then, zone in and focus on finishing those to-do’s one a time. By doing so, you’ll make less mistakes and preserve your energy better.
4. Having a huge to-do list or scheduling too many tasks all at once
One surefire way to kill your own productivity levels is to fill your day’s to-do list with a dozen or more tasks because you thought it can help you become super productive. However, the hard truth is that you’ll most likely be unable to complete them all. And the pressure of that could overwhelm you at the end of the day, doing you more harm than good.
Productivity Tip: Keep your to-do lists at a minimum, maybe between 2-5 tasks at a time, so you won’t feel overwhelmed on completing them. It will help keep your productive momentum and build your motivation as you check them off one by one. Also, limit the amount of time you spend making plans on how you will accomplish your tasks and just get started instead. Just trust yourself, you will figure things out along the way!
5. Always demanding perfection
Despite not having their bosses lurking around their shoulders, successful remote workers know that they always need to produce quality work. However, there are times when it’s okay to have less-than perfect results. If your tasks at work are delayed just because of perfectionism, it may not be working to your advantage. Aiming for perfection, such as having unrealistically high work standards or being thrown off balance when things don’t go exactly as you’d like, could hinder you from maximizing your time and productivity. It could cause you to fall behind schedule and leave a mountain of tasks that should’ve been completed a long time ago.
Productivity Tip: Learn what your bosses or clients are looking for and do just a little bit better than that. Remember that there’s always room for improvement. Focus on simply completing the task first, and then go back and perfect things if there’s still time. Also, accept that a huge part of making progress is actually making mistakes and learning from them.
6. Self-doubt
“Self-doubt is killing your productivity because it’s making you procrastinate and delay your decisions.”
- Sandy Kreps, 10 Habits That Are Killing Your Productivity, ModernSimplicity.org
Comparing your productivity levels to someone else’s and not feeling confident in yourself can actually zap your productivity. You’re worrying because someone does something faster than you when it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are being productive, and we have our own ways of doing work.
Productivity Tip: Don’t let self-doubt keep you from getting the stuff done! Set your own productivity goals by knowing how you work and knowing the best ways to utilize your skills. If you won’t waste your energy feeling sorry for yourself, you can live your most productive life and make the best decisions for yourself.
7. Skipping meals
With no co-workers around to invite you to grab a bite, it’s easier to skip breakfast or lunch to finish your tasks. However, skipping meals often or regularly moving your meal times can have negative effects on your health. Skipping meals is associated with lower energy or motivation levels, according to a study from the journal Appetite. A research from the journal Neurology also found that it can negatively affect cognitive functions, including attention, memory, concentration, and general mental performance.
If you make your meal times irregular, you’re robbing your body of energy and rhythm that are essential to boosting your productivity.
Productivity Tip: Prepare your meals the night before so you won’t be using precious minutes of your work day to make your food, if that’s what you’re worried about. This way, you’d still be eating healthy home-cooked meals while making your meal times as timely as you can. #