The following is an article “Kick Out Those Productivity Blues” by Marc Primo.
Have you ever tried to read up on articles about productivity but fail to execute them once you’re at the office? Productivity blues result from your desire to improve your work process but end up getting more confused because of information overload. With thousands of articles easily accessible today, productivity porn can sometimes do you more harm than good.
Looking for the perfect set of productivity routines that suit your lifestyle is good, but review the factors that can hinder your output first before seeking the right solutions to counter them.
Below are three common red flags that could cause productivity woes.
Inconsistent leadership. There are many kinds of bosses, and you might have met your fair share of some of them in the span of your career. Reports show that the main reason employees quit their jobs is due to being under the leadership of bad bosses. These ‘bad bosses’ not only personify rude, power-tripping authorities who we usually see in movies, but also those who cannot communicate their goals and directions across effectively. Communication breakdown is one common factor that causes low productivity at the workplace, and it is the top management’s responsibility to cascade them down the ranks. Take, for example, being under a manager who doesn’t take the company’s objectives to heart. If your immediate superior does not practice what he preaches, expect to experience a lack of productivity as you’ll soon get confused about what you are supposed to be doing at work. Review your company’s mission and vision statements thoroughly and with it, your boss’s consistency in adhering to them. If they do not match, it may be the right time for you to consider working for another company.
No development. Today’s free enterprise trends are changing at a rapid pace. With fast developments also come swifter employee promotions. If you are stuck in your job with no movement for over three years, then you might want to consider changing companies ASAP. Low productivity usually happens in companies that do not offer their employees developmental training or do not upgrade their office equipment or technology. Getting stuck in such a company can impede your growth and stunt your true potential. You’ll be better off looking for companies that will invest in your talents and give you better incentives for jobs well-done. The main reason most startup companies thrive today is because professionals are given more flexibility to meet other people, manage their time, and learn new things. Suffice it to say that a dead-end job in a non-progressing company is equivalent to arrested growth.
Overworking. Sometimes, an employee’s low productivity does not result from his lack of interest in the job, but rather attributed to working too much. In fact, companies that implement four-day work weeks have better productivity than those that make their employees work five or six. Employees who go into the office four days a week are healthier and more motivated. Some traditional companies may think shortened work days could lead to lower revenues, or worse, bankruptcy. Giving employees the right work-life balance reaps plenty of rewards for a business in terms of employee satisfaction, lesser operational costs, and most of all increased productivity. The key is to not overwork yourself regardless of how many days a week you report to your job.
Basically, the secrets to being more productive lie in three simple things: how you take care of yourself; how you manage your time and priorities; and how well you know both your career path and the company you work for.