It has been more than a decade since the release of a Microsoft survey on productivity. Interestingly, the study found that employees only have 3 productive days in a working week.
Many people today still face similar productivity challenges. The advent of social media and smartphones has added more distractions to the already limited time available for work. Despite these obstacles, more people are finding ways to make money online. With mobile internet and outsourcing, individuals can earn extra income from legitimate online work.
However, productivity remains a significant issue. Fortunately, by adopting certain strategies, you can achieve the same balance and freedom to have personal time, just like the minority of participants in the Microsoft survey.
Some key findings of the research include the following:
- 72% of the survey participants revealed that software is a huge factor in their productivity level.(Tech.co)
- Every week, people spend 5.6 hours in meetings.
- 69% of employees feel that meetings are not productive.
- 60% of the participants have no sense of work-life balance.
- 42 emails/day is the average number of messages employees receive.
- 34% of the participants claim scheduling techniques and tools help them have more personal time.
Although it has been many years since this survey was conducted, many people today still have the same productivity woes. The advent of social media and smartphones has only added more pitfalls to the already dwindling time and work balance that people experience.
Over a decade later, more and more people are discovering new ways to make money online. Now, when mobile internet is handy, and outsourcing is easy, people can earn extra money from legitimate online work.
Yet, with all these online money-making conveniences, productivity is still a major work issue.
Luckily, you can experience the same balance and freedom to have personal time, just like the minority of the participants in the Microsoft survey.
Unlike them, however, scheduling techniques are not the only things that will help you gain work-life balance. It takes more than that to master efficiency.
Table of Contents
Here are the top 7 secrets of productive people:
Secret #1: They Leverage Technology Effectively
Productive people use technology to their advantage. Tools like AI-driven software and automation help them streamline tasks, reduce manual effort, and focus on high-value activities.
For example, AI can automate routine tasks such as data entry, scheduling, and customer support, freeing up employees to focus on strategic work that requires creativity and problem-solving. This shift not only enhances productivity but also allows employees to engage in more meaningful and impactful activities (Tech.co).
Secret #2: They Embrace Flexible Work Arrangements
Remote and hybrid work models have proven to boost productivity for many. By creating a flexible work environment, productive people can optimize their work schedules to fit their personal lives, reducing burnout and increasing overall efficiency (McKinsey & Company).
Secret #3: They don’t have a To-Do List
Surprising. It’s easy to imagine efficient people jotting down and ticking off errands. Having a list of things to do has a way of making people feel grounded and in control. Yet, according to a study, 41% of the items in a to-do list are left unfinished. It has been found that productive people integrate their daily tasks into their calendars instead of working on a list of errands.
It is best to work on a 15-minute block to be more efficient. This may sound tedious initially, but it has been found to be more effective than a list of tasks.
Secret #4: They’re not afraid to say NO
They say that time is the greatest equalizer: the business tycoon and the beggar on the street both have the same 24 hours a day. Yet, some people make more money with their time than others.
Have you ever experienced putting off tasks or pushing deadlines because a friend called and invited you to hang out? Learning to say no is one of the skills you need to master if you want your hours to churn out more work instead of having your work lengthen your hours.
Secret #5: They have mastered outsourcing
Replacing “How can I do this?” with “How can this be done?” will still get you from Point A to Point B, except that the latter can have you expending less time and effort.
Are you overwhelmed by your managerial responsibilities and administrative work? Hire a virtual assistant to lessen your workload. Productive people are not micromanagers. They know that delegating tasks to other people can get more done.
Secret #6: They take good care of themselves
Many people cram their days with work as though overworking is something to be expected or admired. They skip meals, sleep late, miss spending time with family and friends, and put off exercise to spend more time poring over their work.
As a result, their energy level is low. If you want to get things done on schedule, you need a sharp mind and a healthy body.
Secret #7: They don’t believe in multitasking
Multitasking is counterproductive. It will make you think that you are on top of things, although, in reality, you are just stressing yourself out and still end up with substandard work.
Focus on one task at a time and switch to another when you are done. Switch-tasking is ultimately more effective and healthier in the long run.
Now that you know the top 5 secrets of productive people, what changes are you making today?
Conclusion
By incorporating these seven secrets into your daily routine, you can significantly improve your productivity and work-life balance. Embrace these strategies to not only get more done but also to enjoy a more fulfilling and less stressful work life. With the right mindset and tools, achieving peak productivity is within your reach.
