We all know one of those ultra-productive people. You know the ones I’m talking about. They make life look easy, as if they have countless hours at their disposal. Time, however, is the great equalizer. We all have the same amount of hours in the day. As Thomas Edison once said, “Time is really the only capital that any human being has, and the only thing he can't afford to lose.” These are very insightful words. Money, health, looks, can all come and go, but once time is gone, it is forever.
So how do we make the most of this precious resource? We look at the habits of ultra-productive people. We strive to incorporate some of their wisdom into our everyday lives. Every minute saved adds quality to your well-being. Here are some things ultra-productive people do differently.
1. They Have a One-Touch Rule
They don’t have an endless list of emails and phone calls to return. As soon as a message is received, one of three things will happen. It will be important enough to handle themselves right then and there. It will be of an important nature, but not so much that it needs their attention. These tasks may be delegated to someone else to complete. Or, the matter is of no importance, and can be promptly deleted. Of course, there are things that will fall into a gray area, but productive people spend minimal time deciding on an action plan.
2. They Say No
They say no, and they mean it. Productive people are very choosy about what and whom they commit to. Once committed, they will always see it through. They also give this same commitment to saying no. For them, no means no: no discussion, no uncertainty. They understand the value of time. Productive people know that it’s not possible to accept all requests. After all, they too are only human.
3. They Do Not Multitask
One image that comes to mind when thinking about productive people is someone doing four things at once. The person is on the phone, answering emails, going over reports, and planning his or her kid's birthday party, all at once. However, this is not a truly productive person. None of these tasks get done well or is given proper attention. Often this causes you to have to go back and redo something because you weren’t giving it your full attention in the first place. It has been proven that multitasking reduces efficiency. Take on one task at a time, fully commit to it, and see it through to completion.
Using these tips in everyday life will help you gain more time in the day. The positive impact of having more time will be greater than you may think. More time can mean more opportunity to unwind and relax, which could lower overall stress. So for now, choose one tip. Practice it, learn it, live it, and then add another. You have nothing to lose, and all the time to gain.
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