Stop mistaking being busy for actually being productive. As Henry David Thoreau said, “It is not enough to be busy. So are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about?”
Here are a few activities that make you think you’re being productive, but aren’t:
1. Clearing your inbox
Obviously, we all have to check it at times, but if you spend time processing and filing emails – rather than focusing on the ones that matter, and doing the actual substance of your job – you are wasting time.
2. Meetings which have no purpose
Unless something has changed radically, no-one will understand what the point really was.
3. Reading articles online
Often, we do this because we’re taking a break, but looking at the screen makes us feel like we’re doing something productive. Go for a walk and get some fresh air instead.
4. Morning cleaning rituals
Some people feel compelled to vacuum every morning, or sort out the cupboards. It’s already a crazy enough time between waking up and getting to work and you’ll never get that time back.
5. Pointless perfectionism
Don’t spent a lot of time fiddling with the appearance of slides for internal meetings. Why stay up late adjusting the font when it means you’ll be tired for the actual presentation?
6. Failing to acknowledge you’re stuck
If you can’t solve a problem with the information you have, stop staring at it. Work on something else, or go home and do something productive like exercise.
