Your Definition of ‘Productivity’ Is Wrong.

‘Productive’ has become a household word when it comes to trying to better yourself and getting more done. But, what if I told you that word has been given the wrong meaning.

‘Productive’ by definition is ‘having the quality or power of producing especially in abundance.’ Therefore, in context, it essentially means being able to do as many things as possible during the day. There is no mention of quality or the importance of the tasks being done, this is an issue which has gone over all of our heads.

In my opinion, a better word is ‘EFFECTIVENESS’.

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Effectiveness highlights the ability to do the major important tasks during the day rather than completing the most tasks possible. I am very much guilty of this, but it is much more ‘productive’ to get the things done which are of high importance and that you’ve been putting off for a while rather than multiple minor tasks which can be done at any time and have no deadline.

“It’s not that we have too little time to do all the things we need to do, it’s that we feel the need to do too many things in the time we have’ — Gary Keller

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Draw a line down a piece of paper and divide the page where on one side there are tasks which are necessary and need to get done asap and on the other side, there are minor tasks which can be done at any time. In doing so, you have essentially created your ‘Effectiveness Timetable’.

Live your life like your time means something and don’t waste it away doing irrelevant things to fill your ‘productivity meter’.

Be EFFECTIVE. Not PRODUCTIVE.

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Have a great week!

Abdullah

Check out my Blog & FREE eBook with lifestyle tips talking about my journey from rejection in medical school to now getting within the top 10% in the UK.

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