2907642244_12c1382a91_oHow do you define success? What distinguishes the successful and the unsuccessful may be that thin line of getting more done in less time. Successful people are more productive and do not do these things daily.

1.Not getting enough sleep

Sleep is essential to your well being. Sometimes people tend to take this for granted. They think the less sleep you have the more time you have to work. However, when you sleep between 7-9 hours a night, you are more energized to complete your work during the day. You are focused and energized as you optimize your sleep.

2.Multitasking

The brain can only focus on one thing at a time. When you try to do two things at once, you alter your productivity. Some may feel doing so much at once could prove efficiency and get more done, but studies on multitaskingreveal that such reduces your efficiency and performance. Even when you might be able to proceed on many fronts at once, it is still a slow and an error-prone way of working. It is better for you to focus solely on one task which will get you all the work done much faster.

3.Having a negative mindset

No matter how productive you want your day to be, if you do not possess a positive mindset, nothing will seem to work. Negative opinions or negative thoughts of how things will turn out will limit what you can achieve so try and encourage yourself to possess only positive thoughts. Change your mindset, believe in what you can achieve daily.

4.Noise

Noise can be devastating. Some people think that noise can make you improve and the pressure determines how much work you can accomplish. It is understandable that certain noise is part of our lives. But we can get thrown off by the slightest commotion like swinging doors, frequent phone calls, or street noise. Productivity can be altered by such disruptions so it is better we do well to reduce the noise around us. If it is within our control, make sure you fight them off with some noise reduction methods. Perhaps you need to switch off the TV, or get yourself noise canceling headphones, try to reduce the noise around you.

5.Trying to be perfect

In a bid to try to reach perfection we spend so much time fixing every little detail of a task that we do not have enough time for more important tasks. When you try to perfect things you deter yourself from getting more done in less time. Perfection is a dreaded unicorn and doesn’t lead us anywhere but in circles. It is better you understand your limitations and offer the best you can and move on to the next task.

6.Not prioritizing

Prioritizing means getting the most important things done first. Yet what is urgent may not be important and what is important may not be urgent. Trying to make a balance between what is important and urgent allows you to delegate tasks and pay attention to what should be done immediately.

7.Social networking

We all want to be on top of what is going on within our social circles. We feel it is an obligation or mandatory to get plugged into Facebook, Twitter or Instagram at least once a day. But the sorry news is that these social media sites are designed to cut down on the much work you can get done during your day.

8.A cluttered workspace

It is easy to judge a productive person or not by the workspace he works from. According to a survey by OfficeMax many Americans believe clutter has a negative impact on their lives and work. Workplace clutter damages productivity and hurts your professional image. Try to clean up your workspace at least once a week to improve your productivity daily.

9.Not asking for help

Asking for help doesn’t make you stupid or less smart. Rather it does make you productive and efficient. There is no shame in needing help with something. It only signals your limitations. Rather than beating yourself in confusion, seek help and direction, and you will get more done in less time.

10.Setting too many goals

There are only a number of goals we can reach within a set time. Yet people chase after quantity. Being productive however should focus on quality over quantity. This means being realistic and more purposeful in your approach to hit goals. Setting too many goals doesn’t get more done rather it leaves you divided. Set fewer goals that are attainable within the time frame allotted for them.
Reach maximum efficiency, be more productive and do not do any of these things.
Featured photo credit: hikabu via flickr.com