When it comes to productivity, the image of a very busy person springs to mind, who works hard, and is able to do more things in less time. It seems that the only factor that comes into play is time, and, in fact, there is always a lot of talk about time management.
For our author, productivity certainly means “doing things”, but it means doing them by working smarter, which can be achieved by learning to manage these three factors: time, attention, and energy.
Learning to manage these three factors in a harmonious way leads to greater productivity; if you want to be more productive, you must make sure you develop them all together, because they are interconnected and influence one another.
You don't become more productive overnight; it is a difficult task that requires a lot of commitment, so the first step is to have a goal. Ask yourself: why do I want to become more productive?
If you are struggling to find an answer, ask yourself another question: if I were more productive, if I could carve out two more hours each day for myself, what would I do with that time.
If the first step is motivation, the second step is to understand that not all activities are created equal. This may seem trivial, but it is an important thing to think about. There are tasks that are more important than others, and by leveraging them, we achieve more. It's no secret, but we need to spot them to avoid wasting time on activities that aren't relevant.
For example, planning out your week may be a priority over attending a useless meeting, just as investing in learning may be a much more targeted strategic choice than spending hours on social media for no reason.
The more time, energy, and attention you devote to activities that hold more value for you, the more things you will be able to accomplish. A great way to start is by identifying the three most important things to do right away in the morning, every day. Knowing that you have three tasks to complete will provide you with a guideline that will help keep you focused.
