Quick Guide: What is Productivity?

If you’ve ever tried to be more productive, I’m sure you’ve asked the question, “What is productivity?” This question can be very overwhelming at first.

In this post, I am going to break down the answer to this question into manageable pieces. 

Productivity can look different for everyone. Keep that fact in mind as you embark on your journey to becoming more productive!

This post is going to dive into what productivity is and what it means to be productive. 

Quick Guide: What is Productivity?

Definition:

There are so many different ways to define productivity, but they all boil down to the same idea. The most simple way to explain productivity is the ratio of the ratio of output to input. This means that the more productive you are, the more output you get per input. To break this down even further, maximum productivity comes with the least amount of input and the maximum amount of output returned. Click here if you’d like to take a deeper dive into the definition of productivity!

Productivity can apply to so many different aspects of your life. If you’ve tried to learn about what productivity is, it can be so overwhelming to sort through all the complex information out there. This article will dive into the ways to maximize productivity in different aspects of your life.

{ Related post: 5 Simple Productivity Tips You NEED to Know }

Common Characteristics:

The most productive people share common characteristics. The main characteristics are:

• Using feedback to improve: Feedback is such a useful tool to use and become more productive, but not many people really consider the feedback they are given.

• Being intentional with their time: The best way to accomplish this is through strong planning. Planning ahead will allow you to find the best way to schedule everything to avoid wasting any time.

• Sticking to a morning routine: If your morning routine is done right, it will dictate your entire day. If you want to learn more about how to create a morning routine, check out this related post!

{ Related post: 9 Useful Steps for Starting a Morning Routine }

• Eliminating distractions
• Giving themselves time to relax

Each of these characteristics will be explained in detail based on the setting. While they are the same characteristic, they may look different when shown at work than at home for example.

Productivity in Employees:

When it comes to employees, there is a unique situation when looking at their productivity. Unlike most situations, the employer actually is more directly impacted by their productivity than the employee. While the employee will most likely still see the results of their productivity, it often takes more time. For example, assuming the employee was very productive, they would possibly see the results in the form of praise or maybe a promotion from their employer.

A productive employee embodies many, if not all, of the characteristics listed above. Here are some examples of the way that these characteristics can look in action:

• Using feedback to improve: During a yearly review, an employee receives a great amount of feedback. Some employees may just brush it off and continue doing what they were already doing. A productive employee will ask questions during the review to be able to more efficiently come up with a plan to put the feedback into action. It is in the best interest of your employer to be as productive as possible. For that reason, it is safe to assume that the vast majority of the feedback given by your employer will make you more productive.

• Being intentional with their time: An employee can ensure that they are intentional with their time by planning out their day. If a productive employee knows that their supervisor is only available for a couple of hours in the afternoon, they will ensure that they have their questions ready for that short window of time.

• Sticking to a morning routine: A morning routine can be very beneficial in making your entire day more productive. A productive employee will start their day with a morning routine that gives them the energy and confidence to tackle the rest of their day.

• Eliminating distractions: To eliminate distractions as an employee, the best strategy is to make your desk a space where you only work. With so many people working from home, the distractions are endless. A productive employee would focus on making a space in their home where they only do work which will automatically put them in the work mindset as soon as they sit down.

• Giving themselves time to relax: Productive employees are also very conscious of when they need to take a break. While some may look at working through your breaks as a positive thing, I would argue that it can actually reduce your productivity. Allowing your mind to take a break will make you feel fresh and ready to take on the next tasks you have lined up.

Productivity in the Gym:

Being productive in the gym can make all the difference in your workout and ultimately your results. In addition, by being more productive and efficient, you may find that you can spend less time in the gym for a better workout overall. Here are some examples of how you can apply the main characteristics of a productive person in the gym.

• Using feedback to improve: If you have a personal trainer, or even have access to fitness tips, you should be using these and sticking with them to be more productive.

• Being intentional with their time: It is very beneficial to come into the gym with a plan of what you’re going to do. This allows you to stay focused and move from one exercise to the next rather than spending time during your workout thinking of what to do next.

• Sticking to a morning routine: Incorporating your gym time into your morning routine will force you to be more productive in the gym in order to complete your workout. Having a deadline for when you need to get home from the gym will make you stay more focused during your workout.

• Eliminating distractions: During your workout, you should either put your phone away or keep it on do not disturb. This will take away any possible distractions from incoming notifications. While glancing down at your phone can only take a couple of seconds, you are also losing the time it takes to refocus.

• Giving themselves time to relax: Rest days and stretching are very important. It is crucial that in addition to your normal gym days, you incorporate some slower days to allow your body to recover and perform better in the coming workouts.

Productivity in Students:

As a student, it can be very difficult to be productive with such a fluid schedule. You can use these examples as a way to find ideas for being more productive.

• Using feedback to improve: Many professors make themselves available to discuss suggestions for studying strategies and overall the best ways to succeed in their classes. It is important to really take these suggestions as they will help tremendously.

• Being intentional with their time: With such a fluid schedule as a student, a planner is incredibly important. This allows you to organize all the assignments you have. You should also plan times to complete your assignments based on not only the date it is due but also considering everything else you have planned. Using a planner makes this very simple and clear to do.

• Sticking to a morning routine: A morning routine is important for being a productive student for similar reasons as for an employee. The morning routine allows you to start your day off productively. Once the day is started that way, it is easier to keep the momentum going.

{ Related post: 5 Clever Tips for a Morning Routine for Students }

• Eliminating distractions: Distractions can make or break your productivity as a student. It is so important to get in the mindset that you will be focused for a set amount of time. During that time (whether it be 20 minutes or 2 hours), you need to stay completely focused and intentionally remove anything that can become a distraction. Sometimes this could also mean going outside of your home to a library or coffee shop.

• Giving themselves time to relax: As with everything, having time to relax and reset will help you in the end. Working and working until you are burnt out is never the solution. In school, it is easy to say yes to every opportunity thrown your way, but it is important to know your limits and give yourself a break.

This article gives easy-to-follow examples of how to be productive in different aspects of your life. Be sure to apply them to your situation and comment below on how they helped you!