To understand what makes a person insanely productive, one has to understand the definition of personal productivity. Within mathematics and economics, the term ‘productivity’ simply relates to the amount of output you get per unit of input. Thus, the greater the output with the lesser the input, the higher the productivity. However, when we talk about personal productivity this explanation is further expanded.
In simple and collective terms, personal productivity is doing the right things at the right time, in the right manner, with the right resources in order to achieve personal goals. As the great philosopher Plato said, “All things will be produced in superior quantity and quality, and with greater ease, when each man works at a single occupation, in accordance with his natural gifts, and at the right moment, without meddling with anything else.”
Based on this definition and the analysis of the lives of some the most insanely productive people within history (Da Vinci, Einstein, Henry Ford, Steve Jobs) one can come up with five general traits that they all shared.
1. They prioritized and got things done
Nothing is achieved by merely thinking about doing everything. You have to get things done. This includes making to-do-lists, scheduling and performing tasks, learning from mistakes and improving, staying away from distractions and eventually getting results.
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2. They loved what they did
Apple revolutionized user experience in the digital world, only because Jobs was insanely in love with what he did. Lesson to be learnt: Your productivity at work is directly proportional to the amount of love you have for your work.
3. They didn’t waste resources
Productivity is all about efficiency. Its understanding that we all have one life, so it’s better to spend it wisely. Therefore, being insanely productive means identifying and understanding the importance of your resources (money, health, time, knowledge, etc.) and making the best use of them.
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4. They used the right tools to stay productive
Either be it a simple notepad or an iPad, the insanely productive need the right tools to get the job done. However, luxuries impact productivity in a negative way. Therefore, it’s important to identify the basic need of a tool before acquiring it. Do you really need to invest in a sports car to get to your work on time? Or would you rather upgrade your slow internet?
5. They focused on one task at a time
Mozart is the perfect example of this philosophy. He only lived for 35 years, yet he composed over 600 works – one at a time. If you needed any further validation that multi-tasking is bad for you, then consider the findings of a recent research by neuroscientists that reveals chronic multi-tasking as being harmful to personal well-being, as well as, leading to less productivity due to continued overload on the brain.
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Overall, productivity is a mix of classical self-control and smart planning. Shaping our lifestyles in a way that it will improve our personal productivity is just the beginning. Once we see growth, these strategies become habits and we eventually open ourselves up to a life that’s driven by better time management, more focused work, along with greater personal and professional success.
