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Adam Smith | June 5, 2013 | 4 Comments

Busyness Is Your Enemy

busyness_fast_paced

Photo Credit: Luke Andrew Scowen 2009 via Compfight cc

With all of our schedules being full, our goal should be to turn busyness into productivity. They really are completely different.

[dropshadowbox align=”none” effect=”lifted-both” width=”565px” height=”” background_color=”#dcdcdc” border_width=”1″ border_color=”#dddddd” ]Busyness will take your eye off of your end goal and set you up to fail before you even start. Productivity propels you forward into your next endeavor.[/dropshadowbox]

When you let something like busyness take over, you are giving permission to let something run you, instead of you managing it.

Here are  a few ways to increase productivity and get back in control of your life:

1. Start using your schedule correctly.

For years you have probably made a schedule and not stuck to the plan. Well, here is your reminder that your schedule is there for a reason and you need to start using it again.One reason that people stop using a schedule is that many times you can schedule too much. A way to fight this is to schedule in “break times”. Don’t jam-pack your schedule full of things you cannot actually manage.

Use your schedule and become better at time management.

2. Write down or type in your “to-do-lists”.

One of the most unproductive things you can do is to keep everything you need to do in your head. When you do this you think about those things you need to do constantly and those are the only things you can focus on. I know we have talked about evernote before on my blog, but that is what I have found useful for productivity in my own life. It saves me time and increases productivity. Find a useful way to jot down your notes and lists and begin to accomplish every important task for each day.

Stop getting to the end of your days and wondering where the time went. Start accomplishing more when you put intentional focus on your daily routine.

3. Be aware of where you are at physically and emotionally.

It is great to go “all in”, but you need to give yourself a break sometimes. If your pace isn’t manageable for the longterm, you need to know your limits. If you have deadlines, then have your schedule where you need to have it for the push to meet your deadline, but give yourself a break for the weeks after.

When you know where you are mentally, physically and emotionally, it is easier to know what your schedule should look like.

So, how are you dealing with busyness in your own life? You can leave your comment below.

Filed Under: Leadership, Relationships, time management

Adam Smith

I teach people how to have a greater impact through their work and their time. You can read more about me on my about page.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Olivia says

    June 5, 2013 at 2:45 pm

    I seem to want to do too much. I’ve learned the hard way that its okay to say no. Thanks for posting. We need to be aware of this.

    Reply
    • asmithblog says

      June 5, 2013 at 6:30 pm

      absolutely. Learning to say no is a big part of it.

      Reply
  2. Olivia says

    June 5, 2013 at 2:45 pm

    I seem to want to do too much. I’ve learned the hard way that its okay to say no. Thanks for posting. We need to be aware of this.

    Reply
    • asmithblog says

      June 5, 2013 at 6:30 pm

      absolutely. Learning to say no is a big part of it.

      Reply

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Hi, my name is Adam Smith and welcome to asmithblog.com. I am the author of the book, The Bravest You. Because of my work as an entrepreneur, consultant, writer, and speaker, I have been named a top industry influencer by American Genius. I live with my wife, Jasmine, and three children in Shenandoah, IA.

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