When and how can we feel more productive?

When do you feel most productive?

First of all, let’s ask the basic question on What is Productivity?

Ideally, productivity is a measure of how much work is done in a given amount of time. It’s often used to describe how efficiently someone is working or how much output they’re producing.

As humans we feel productive when we have achieved or completed the tasks we aimed for and having completed them which are being assigned to us.

There are many days I can’t sleep thinking about oh god I didn’t complete this and that.

But the most productive day I literally sleep very peacefully – I am very sure I am not an exception.

How can we become productive?

1. Create a Plan (Realistic)
2. Identify Tools which can help
3. Fight Procrastination
4. Learning to Say “No”- the most difficult one for me
5. Ask for help – this is also challenging for me. I don’t like to bother others and try to find a solution not just for my problems but including others.

What are some of the characteristics of Productive People?

• Focused
• Goal Oriented
• Can deal very well with distractions
• Pretty Tough Mentally
• They do take care of themselves well

Here are some of the books you might find helpful if you want to study about Productivity

1. Atomic Habits by James Clear – This book is about how to build good habits and break bad ones. It’s a great read if you’re looking to improve your productivity and make lasting changes in your life.
   • The Fundamentals – This section covers the basics of habit formation and how to create good habits.
   • The 4 Laws of Behavior Change – This section outlines the four laws that govern habit formation: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying.
   • Advanced Techniques – This section covers more advanced techniques for habit formation, such as habit stacking and temptation bundling.
   • The 2nd Law – This section covers the importance of making small improvements over time and how to use the power of compound interest to your advantage.
2. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People* by Stephen Covey – This book is a classic in the productivity genre. It’s all about developing habits that will help you be more effective in your personal and professional life. The book is divided into seven habits:
   • Be Proactive – This habit is about taking responsibility for your life and your actions.
   • Begin with the End in Mind – This habit is about setting goals and working towards them.
   • Put First Things First – This habit is about prioritizing your time and focusing on what’s important.
   • Think Win-Win – This habit is about finding solutions that benefit everyone involved.
   • Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood – This habit is about listening to others and trying to understand their perspective.
   • Synergize – This habit is about working together with others to achieve more than you could on your own.
   • Sharpen the Saw – This habit is about taking care of yourself physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually so that you can be at your best.
3. Deep Work by Cal Newport – This book is about how to focus deeply on your work and avoid distractions. It’s a great read if you’re looking to improve your concentration and get more done. The book is divided into two parts:
   • The Idea – This section explains the concept of deep work and why it’s important.
   • The Rules – This section outlines four rules for cultivating deep work: work deeply, embrace boredom, quit social media, and drain the shallows.
4. Getting Things Done* by David Allen – This book is all about how to manage your time and get things done more efficiently. It’s a great read if you’re looking for practical tips on how to be more productive.
   • The Art of Getting Things Done – This section explains the concept of getting things done and why it’s important.
   • Practicing Stress-Free Productivity – This section outlines five steps for practicing stress-free productivity: capture, clarify, organize, reflect, and engage.

So, ask yourself, “When do you feel most productive?

Feel free to put in your comments on how and when you feel most productive.