Busy vs Productive – The Debate

admin — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 00:37:11 +0000

We’ve all had those days when the list seems to be either never-ending or, worse yet, constantly growing. You’re busy, but nothing’s getting done. Why is that?

The truth is, there’s a huge difference between being busy and being productive. The busy vs productive debate is ever-raging.

Being busy isn’t always a bad thing – in fact, for some, it’s a huge motivator. But they key is to ensure that to achieve optimal performance, you’re getting those things you need done, done. Those who are busy may find themselves frantic, starting one thing and jumping to another; those who are being productive are finishing what they started.

Perfectionism over purpose

Feeling like you’re never going to reach the end of your to-do list today? It’s no secret that perfectionism is what often keeps many of us busy, at the detriment of overall job performance. If you find yourself consistently busy but unable to actually tick items off the list, it may be that the level of perfectionism you’re aiming for is actually barring your way toward productivity.

Being productive means going in with a purpose. Before you begin a task, know what you need to get out of it. This will of course depend on the nature of your work. Does this task need to be completed properly, but fast? Does it require a higher level of concentration? Is it something you can simply delegate? Don’t let unrealistic or inconsequential standards block productivity here.

Productivity through prioritization

One of the things which differentiates A-players is the ability to prioritize effectively. It’s inevitable that tasks are going to pop up throughout your day or week which may throw things somewhat off course; the key is in how you deal with them.

Prioritize tasks by urgency, importance, and essentially make strong decisions in what can wait. In doing so, you’ll set yourself on a road to actually achieving the things which count toward your own performance or that of your company/employer. Like we said, being busy doesn’t have to be bad, but “busy doing nothing” is. If you’re constantly run ragged with things to do, but those business-critical tasks aren’t being met, it’s going to lead to longer term issues – so take stock, and prioritize accordingly.

Accountability at all costs

One of the final, but most pertinent differences in the busy vs productive debate comes down to knowing your limits.

Particularly when you start a new job, you want to say yes. You want to take on more responsibility, grab new tasks with both hands, and really prove yourself to your new employer. But, in doing so, you might just end up doing yourself a disservice. While setting expectations high isn’t a bad thing, it’s as important to deliver to them consistently.

If you’ve taken on too many projects or tasks, you’re going to find yourself busy, frantic, and possibly on the way to burnout – all of which lead to less chances of success. They say that a busy person says yes quickly, while a productive person says yes slowly; they’ll get it done, but not until after some thought about how and where it’s going to fit.

Either way, whether you’re busy, productive, or both, it’s important to take accountability for the things you’ve said you’re going to do. If you find that you’re taking on more than you’re completing, or handing tasks back to whoever or wherever they came from unfinished, it’s time to work out why.

Busy vs Productive

If you’re feeling either busy, productive, both, or even neither in your current role, but feel it may be time for a change, check out our jobs page to see some of the great positions up for grabs currently.

The Keys to Unlocking a Work-Life Balance

admin — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 19:12:23 +0000

Balancing work with our personal lives can be challenging for the best of us. We spend so much of our time at work that we can find ourselves thinking about our duties even off the job. However, being able to separate ourselves from our professional life can help ease tension and keep us happy.

So how do we find that ever-elusive work-life balance? Two “recovering workaholics” weigh in, according to Forbes:

Kevin Boehm and Rob Katz own and operate 16 restaurants across the US. “In the restaurant world, work-life balance is often an ephemeral castle in the sky — easy to picture, but hard to achieve. Chefs and restaurateurs, especially when first opening new spaces, can spend long days and longer nights getting every aspect of their vision in place. Once the dust settles, maintaining that schedule (and thinking about expansion) can make taking time off a difficult prospect” reports Forbes.

Over the course of their years of experience, they have finally found the keys to unlocking this balance.

First, always prioritize balance, they suggest, just as nutritionists recommend “everything in moderation”, the same holds true for professional life.

They stress that scheduling is equally important. Boehm explained to Forbes: ““One thing that Rob and I did a few years ago, when we were kind of locked into our phone calendars with days loaded up with fourteen different meetings, was schedule time for working out or longer trips to recharge,”

While recharging, the focus should be on self-care. Engage in activities that make you feel good—whether that be golfing, working out, or chilling with the buddies.

Do not feel like you have to tackle everything on your own. You have a team to support you in most industries, so do not be afraid to delegate tasks and spread duties. ““At first it was hard to delegate, because we think we have all the answers. And we certainly thought that when we were younger. We were control freaks — we had success, so we thought we had the answers. But, you know, we can also teach, and inquire, and motivate,” says Katz.

Following their suggests can lead to success in finding that balance and give you a more rewarding lifestyle.

Source: