“I’m too busy”
“I have so much to do”
I am sure you have heard those statements before. And maybe you have used them a couple of times too.
But does being busy make you productive?
So you need to focus on being productive instead of busy.
Keep reading to find out the difference and to determine if you are productive or just plain busy.
WHAT IS PRODUCTIVITY?
Productivity is a term that is often used in the workplace. Some people define it as the ratio between the output volume and the volume of inputs.
But we are going to use a simpler definition.
Productivity refers to your ability to successfully achieve tasks that align with your goals without wasting time and energy.
WHY IS PRODUCTIVITY IMPORTANT?
Think about money for a few seconds. You will realize that even though you spend money, you can get more money.
But that is not the case for another resource that is so precious to us as human beings.
That resource is called time!
You can’t make more time and you can’t get back the time that you have already spent.
So time is limited hence you have to use it wisely if you want to make the most of it.
Here are some reasons why productivity is so important:
- It helps you to achieve more goals that align with your purpose so you can live a more fulfilled and meaningful life
- Engaging in productive habits helps you to reduce stress
- It helps you to achieve a better work-life balance
- You are more likely to have more time to focus on the things that really matter to you like your relationships, health, hobbies, volunteer projects etc.
DOES BEING BUSY MAKE YOU PRODUCTIVE?
People who are busy are constantly active. They have a lot to do, and they are focused on doing those tasks. But being busy doesn’t mean you are being productive.
Remember being productive means that you are doing tasks that align with your goals without wasting time and energy.
Busy people can get fixated on completing tasks that have nothing to do with their goals.
Some people may be working on tasks that are goal-oriented but they didn’t stop to ensure that they are doing them in the most efficient way. So they end up spending way more time, energy and resources than they should.
While others just want to brag about how much they did that day but those tasks may have been irrelevant and unnecessary.
So they were busy but not productive. Let me explain by telling you about Helen.
Story about Helen
Helen wants to start a vegetable garden so she can provide fresh produce for her family. However, she spends weeks looking for recipes with vegetables as the main ingredients. And every day she also watches many YouTube videos that teach her how to start a garden. It has been 2 months and Helen has not started making the garden. Does this sound familiar to you?
Helen is busy because she is constantly active. But she is not productive because she is not taking the steps to actually start the garden.
If she really wants to be productive, she has to choose the area for the garden, prepare the soil, plant the seeds, water them and wait for the yield.
Time is super precious so don’t be like Helen. Instead, you should focus on producing results that are aligned with your goals instead of just being busy.
You can’t get back the time that you have spent so use it wisely.
Suggested Video: Productive Things To Do When You’re Unemployed
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING BUSY AND BEING PRODUCTIVE?
You may be wondering how you can know if you or someone is productive. Here are some differences between busy people and productive people.
1. Busy people try to multitask, but productive people focus on one task at a time.
Some people think that doing multiple tasks simultaneously is fruitful. But if you want to complete a task efficiently, it is best to give it your full attention. If you focus on one task at a time, you are more likely to complete it quicker and more effectively.
2. Busy people say yes to everything but productive people know when to say no
Busy people tend to over-commit themselves to too many tasks. They think that they have to do everything by themselves.
But those who focused on achieving meaningful results understand that trying to do too many tasks alone can be very stressful. So they know when to say no and when to delegate.
If you have been feeling stressed, it’s time to focus on your mental health. Here are some Christian mental health activities that you can start doing.
3. Busy people have no plan but productive people have a plan
A plan serves as a guide and it can help you to save time and energy. Using a plan allows you to carefully think and make decisions before you start working.
4. Busy people have many priorities but productive people have few priorities
Those who are set on achieving their goals know which tasks are really important and they focus on those. Not everything on your to-do list has the same level of priority.
5. Busy people focus on perfection but productive people focus on progress
If you focus on perfection, you may never achieve any goal. There will always be room for improvement so get started and make changes as you go along.
TAKEAWAY
Now you know the difference between being busy and being productive. So focus on being productive instead of busy if you really want to see results and achieve goals that align with your purpose. Here is a summary of the signs you can use to tell if you or someone is productive.
- They focus on one task at a time
- They do not overcommit themselves and they know when to say no.
- Productive people have a plan
- They have few priorities
- They focus on progress
Be honest with yourself and do a self-evaluation to determine if you are productive or just plain busy.
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