‘ What limits do you need to start observing to improve your productivity?’

Hi,

Here is a great author whom we have matched for our customer who needed to search for an international trainer last year.  We eventually received some free copies of his book titled : Juggling with Elephants (Thank you Jones) and from that day, we like to improve our staff through his articles and sharing.

Today he has sent us this article,  which can be useful for your own personal improvement in learning. Do read when you have the free time.

‘ What limits do you need to start observing to improve your productivity?’

Article from Jones Loflin.

You and I are violating a critical life principle and the consequences are not good. The principle? There is value in limits. Recall your childhood days for a moment. Your parents or other adults in your life wouldn't let you have all the chocolate or ice cream you wanted. And if they did... well, you know how that turned out. As a driver of an automobile, you know the importance of observing the speed limit. A level of restraint is also required in purchases if we want to be financially sound.

Why is it then, that we don't follow the same principle when it comes to information? Even though too much of anything else is detrimental to our well-being, we somehow rationalize that too much information is never a bad thing. And look where it's gotten us. Disjointed conversations fractured by phone rings or chimes, lower productivity due to information overload and even diminished quality of "real time" relationships because we are trying to keep up with a bazillion virtual connections.

Try using limits in these three areas of your life and see if you don’t accomplish more of what is REALLY important to you: 

Technology. In addition to turning off email notifications, try not to casually look at your e mail and scan the subject lines-there's too much information that may not be important right now-but when you look at it, you have placed it in your mental “inbox,” taking up space. Turn off your mobile phone or physically remove it from your presence when possible. A buzz indicating a mention on Twitter or a text message is new information you just don't need until you are in a position to deal with it. Refrain from engaging in social media when you have a free minute or two. That normally turns into 10 or 15 minutes because there is so much information vying for your attention. It's like trying to eat just one potato chip-and if your willpower is anything like mine-that just doesn’t happen.

Work Routine. There are always multiple assignments, deadlines and projects in your work routine. Our tendency is to lightly peruse the details from time to time and then attempt to move on to something else. Unfortunately, your mind just won’t let it go. And now you are carrying those fragmented thoughts of the task around for days-until you actually complete the task. Manage these items differently by first identifying the deadline for the task, plan for when you will work on it, and then your mind will let it go. You are free to be more focused on the task in front of you.

Evening Routine. Most of us have smartphones, tablets or some device that we check email “after hours,” sometimes up until the moment we are ready for bed. Too often we get new information that could have waited until tomorrow, but now it's on our mental “to do list,” rolling around, wanting to be dealt with. Set a deadline of 2-3 hours before heading to bed as your last check of email. Anything after that can wait until tomorrow. Also try and refrain from engaging in social media late in the evening. There's just too much information that will go into your mind-and possibly inhibit your ability to physically and mentally rest well. I have even reverted to reading printed books (as opposed to using my tablet) at bedtime to prevent me from diving into information overload.

Lastly, start asking yourself, "How will this information be of benefit to me if I read it?" If you can't quickly identify the gain, leave it alone. As my friend Luke Jackson says, information without transformation is useless.

You must say “No” to things of lesser importance so you can say “Yes” to things of greater importance.

 

Jones Loflin is an internationally-recognized speaker and trainer. His messages focus on change, motivation, time management and work/life blend. He is the author of two books: Juggling Elephants and Getting the Blue Ribbon. Jones’ new book, Getting to It, will be released by Harper Collins in the Fall. His humor, energy and audience engagement make an impact on every member of your group, not just an impression.