3 important questions to help you be productive every day

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

It often happens that you do not feel satisfied with the work done. Everything seems to be in order, the deadlines are met, no one has any complaints. But the thought stuck in my head like a thorn: "If I had completed this task, then I would definitely consider myself truly productive …"

This approach is destructive: it threatens with loss of motivation and emotional burnout. But it is possible (and even necessary) to feel that you are working productively without any additional workload. To do this, just ask yourself three questions every day:

1. Did I do something today to make my life easier tomorrow?
2. Can I be proud of today's job?
3. Have I done everything that was required of me?

If you answer yes to any of these questions, that's good. And if for all three, you definitely have nothing to worry about.

Most often, we measure our productivity by the amount of work done. For example, if you edited five articles, replied to 10 emails, and attended two meetings, you are likely to say, "It was a good day."

But if you spent most of your day collecting material to write just one, albeit great article, you will surely feel that you have not done it. The next day, you will linger for an hour or two after work, only to complete a couple of small tasks and finally feel productive.

Is it correct? No.

Less is better.

Evaluate your working day not by the number of tasks completed, but by their importance. Don't leave the office feeling like you've "done nothing." The main thing is that tomorrow you can say thank you to yourself at least for something. Let's say for the fact that you have collected enough material to work through an important project. Or, having done several current minor tasks, they freed tomorrow in order to complete one important task.

Forget about the phrase: "Monday was more productive because I did more than Friday." Tell yourself, “Monday was productive because I cleared my schedule for Tuesday. And thanks to this, on Tuesday I was able to write an article (to complete the project, complete an important task), which I am really proud of."

Productivity is the ability to do things that you couldn't do before.

Franz Kafka writer

Lack of dissatisfaction with yourself will help you to fully rest after work, and not gnaw yourself for the "unfinished". Surely there will be days on which something will not work out, plans will have to be adjusted. But don't let work cross your doorstep. You won't get any benefit if you are half here and half there.

Set yourself up for the fact that today, tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow, and all subsequent days will definitely be productive. Because you know what to do.