Confusing Activity with Productivity

Activity as against productivity is a simple issue but causes so many problems because it brings opinions into the equation as well. One person may think they are using their time productively only for someone else to totally disagree.

It’s always obvious to someone else that there’s a certain order or a certain way in which either individual or related tasks should be carried out. It’s called their way. It drives some micro managers completely crazy if you do tasks different to how they believe they should be done.

Why it’s a problem

It’ a problem because active and productive can be perfectly synergised or complete opposites. You may be actively engaged sweeping the floor and even making a good job of it however that’s not productive at a management level.

You can be active doing anything however you can only be really productive by identifying your highest value tasks and setting about undertaking them in an efficient manner that will bring an effective result in as little time as possible.

Anyone working on commission immediately recognises the difference between active and productive because they only get paid for the productive work. They can be as active as they like but if that activity does not, for example, get a sale they don’t get paid.

How you avoid it

If you ever wonder “am I being productive” answer these three questions.

• What are my highest value activities and is what I’m doing now one of them?
• Why am I on the payroll? What exactly have I been employed to achieve, in measurable results and does what I’m currently doing achieve all or some of that?
• What is the most valuable use of my time right now and is that what I’m doing?

If you can answer yes to the three questions above you can be sure you're working on the right tasks, you know what you should be doing and you're being super productive as well.

For more tips and techniques on how to best use your time click here Effective Time Management Strategies and get my free report "11 Fatal Time Management Mistakes and How to Avoid Them"

Remember this, "To have the time of your life create some time for your life"

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