Groups of people that have similar results have similar habits. Thin people have similar habits. Overweight people have similar habits. Productive people have several habits in common. Likewise, unsuccessful people have several habits in common, too. If you’re struggling with your productivity, this article is for you.
While we’re all capable of doing some amazing things from time to time, it’s the things we do each and every day that have the greatest influence on our results in life. You simply need a different set of habits if you want to be more productive. Our crack team of researchers at the Society for Advancement of Management have pulled together these eight great highlights for avoiding unsuccessful habits.
For your best results, avoid these habits of unsuccessful people:
1. Failing to Learn
People fail to become more productive if they fail to learn and develop. Try to be the best at what you do. Learn from each day.
Read a book, research articles on the internet, or watch a video on productivity tips. You’ll likely learn something that will help you to be more productive. You should try to read at least 10 pages of a book, research article, or 20 minutes of a virtual course every day.
Productive people are always learning things that will allow them to be more productive.
2. Giving into Distractions
We have more distractions than ever before. There are a lot of distractions that are far more interesting than anything you need to do.
- Focus on what you’re supposed to be doing.
- Remove as many distractions from the area as possible
- Plan time to engage in your distractions. It’s easier to avoid distractions if you know that you can engage in them at a later time.
3. Poor Emphasis on Action
Unproductive people often like to plan and learn. Some people love the strategic side of things. However, these same people have a lot less interest in taking action. Planning has its place. Learning is great. Eventually, though, things have to get done if productivity is important.
4. Failing to Plan for the Day
Unproductive people often don’t know what to do. They don’t have a clear vision or plan. Have a plan for the day, the week, or even just the next few hours. Make a plan and follow it until you’re done!
Use a planner, take advantage of a paper version if you are a tactile learner and can benefit from writing down your plan or action, or use your phone to chart out what you’d like to do for the day in one of the thousands of schedule and planner apps available online.
The key is to commit to creating a plan.
5. Majoring in Minor Things
Many productive people are quite busy, and even look busy to others. But, being busy and being productive aren’t the same thing.
- Focus on the most effective course of action.
- Avoid any activities that don’t provide significant results for the amount of time required.
6. Giving Up
You can’t be productive if you give up too soon. Productivity is about what you do, how well you do it, how fast you do it, and how much time you spend doing it. You can’t get a lot done if you don’t put in the time.
7.Worrying
It’s fine to have concerns and then address those concerns. However, worrying is an unproductive habit. It wastes time and makes you less effective. Consider the positive things you’ve accomplished by worrying. Write them all down. How many did you identify?
8. Procrastination
You can’t get anything accomplished if you never even get started. Procrastination is a productivity killer.
If you must procrastinate, at least use the time to do something else that’s productive. Going for a run is a better way of procrastinating than eating a hot fudge sundae.
We all have the same amount of time each day. The most productive people are also the most successful. If you have big goals, and you are productive in working toward those goals, you’re going to be a highly successful person.
Eliminate the habits that are reducing your productivity, and you’ll be in the best position to start getting more things done. You’ll be surprised by how much you can accomplish!
Looking for more SAM management tips. Check out any of our Encouraging Emerging Management Series of articles here at the SAM C.E.N.T.S.