- Occasionally, I get asked, what do you think is the biggest obstacle in the way of people becoming more productive? My answer is it has everything to do with how people perceive themselves. If you ask the average person, how you doing? Most people right now will say, I'm busy. Why do people do that? Why do they equate themselves with being busy? Well, busy implies that they are doing a lot of activity, and a lot of activity most people equate with professional success. In other words, if I'm busy, I have more self worth.
I want to change that perception. Busy is another word for ineffective. Your success is not determined by the amount of activity that you're performing, but what you're achieving with the time that you are spending, and how much free time you have to enjoy those results. Imagine for a moment you meet two people. Both make a high income. Come up with whatever number you equate with having a high income. Person A works 80 hours a week to get that income.
Person B works 30 hours a week. Which one is the greater success? The answer is obvious. If you can achieve a high level of success and get great results by working less hours that's much more favorable. So, how do we do that? First, you want to begin focusing on the results that you're achieving, not the activity. Think about yesterday. You did a lot of stuff, you were probably busy, but what did you accomplish during that time? Those results are more important than the activity.
Get your perspective focused on results first. Second, underspend time. Often people pack their day, back to back to back, with appointments or things to do for themselves. When you do that, you're creating a situation where you're more likely to switch tasks, and the more switches you make, the less productive you're going to be and the more mistakes are going to happen. Instead, give yourself space between appointments. This will help you get better results in a shorter amount of time.
Also, give yourself moments for quiet. Schedule time to do nothing. That may sound weird, but giving yourself time to do nothing will have a powerful effect on your mind. It will help you recondition yourself, and stop thinking about how busy you are, and more about what you're accomplishing with that activity. You can be more successful, and you can do it with less activity.
Your success is determined by the results that you achieve.
Author
Updated
4/15/2019Released
4/11/2016Productivity expert Dave Crenshaw provides techniques on a wide variety of topics, designed to help people better manage their time and ultimately become more productive. Tune in to learn about everything from managing emails and calendars to setting priorities, collaborating with coworkers, reducing interruptions, crafting a "productivity mindset," and creating a more comfortable and effective work environment.
Have an idea for a future video from Dave? Submit it using our course feedback form. If you want more time management strategies now, we recommend watching Dave's Time Management Fundamentals course.
- Reducing interruptions
- Dealing with feeling overwhelmed
- Responding to quick questions
- Making the most of meetings
- Following up
- Implementing a closed door, open calendar policy
Skill Level Intermediate
Duration
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Introduction
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Welcome43s
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1. Time Management Tips
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Power tips for sending email3m 14s
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Positive procrastination3m 15s
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Remove the "busy" tag2m 58s
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Manage digital interruptions4m 19s
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Make the most of meetings2m 52s
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Follow up on delegated items2m 58s
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Become tech savvy4m 33s
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Focus on the person2m 37s
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Time management for students2m 59s
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Ending meetings with action1m 44s
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Building a not-to-do list2m 46s
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Avoiding the crowd mindset2m 58s
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Placing a value on your time3m 30s
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How to schedule a meeting3m 35s
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How to develop flexibility4m 19s
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The trouble with texting3m 48s
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Create a perhaps list4m 58s
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Reduce attention switches4m 46s
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Adapt your favorite app4m 33s
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Make time to get more time3m 49s
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Read vs. unread email3m 52s
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Make time to have fun3m 57s
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Create a morning ritual3m 23s
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When to create new homes3m 26s
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How to reduce spam3m 48s
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Why repetition saves time2m 48s
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Productive passwords2m 3s
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Productive web browser tips1m 51s
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Writing a productive email1m 55s
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Commit to your calendar1m 54s
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What to say instead of ASAP1m 46s
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Set voicemail expectations1m 43s
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Set email expectations1m 46s
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How to use an inbox1m 41s
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How to use an outbox1m 53s
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Video: Remove the "busy" tag