simplicity is productivity

20 Nov
2009

lifeisshort

Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Simplicity is productivity. Let me explain. Simplicity by definition is the absence of complication or clarity of expression. So, if we reduce or eliminate complications we should be more productive. Right. For instance, if you eliminate a task that consumes excessive time, you have bought yourself more time or increased your productivity on a different task.

Simplicity by definition is the absence of complication or clarity of expression.

Don’t get Overzealous!

But a problem arises. Humans by nature seem to have a need to replace things. So, when one task is eliminated we add another. We haven’t really resolved anything, have we? It doesn’t end there. We also have a tendency to overfill the plate. Guess what happens – we get full, oh and sometimes we get fat. Works for the short term. In the long run it causes burnout or other consequences.

When I first started blogging, I was excited. I discovered one new thing after another and wanted to try them all. A good learning curve but then I started formulating plans and devising schemes and analyzing. I was going to build so many web sites and write so many articles….STOP.

Be Productive

Before I knew it I had this master plan with lists of things and dozens of  ideas to pursue. We tend to want to take all of our ideas and start working on them simultaneously. When you realize that you only have so much time and ability to get your work done you will recognize a need for a more simple plan.

As an avid believer of the short work day/week, my goal always involves optimizing for efficiency. Concerted efforts will help you do more in less time. Vlad Dolezal of Fun Life Development has some interesting posts on productivity, focus and getting on with life. His execution of actions are generally simple, so naturally, I love them.

Learn to Focus

When you have the concept tweaked you can then add another idea since the original one has been implemented – this is known as focus. It’s easier to maintain focus if you are targeting a single idea instead of chasing random thoughts. Stick with one thing, keep it simple and you will be more productive. In our next article we will share with you some ideas of how to free up your time to focus on the things you need to do.

keysimple siment – pick one thing you want to focus on and get it done.

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5 Responses to simplicity is productivity

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Tess The Bold Life

November 20th, 2009 at 8:22 am

That’s me chasing random thoughts too often. You hit the nail on the head with this one. I’m paring down my social media attempts… oh and I fixed the link!

Sorry about that…I have ADHD which doesn’t help my focus;)

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simply stephen

November 20th, 2009 at 8:45 am

Tess,

I’m glad to hear about your plan to reduce your social media. I still find myself peeking at email and Twitter a little more often than I should and losing focus of the tasks that make me productive. Those are the days that take longer than they should. I haven’t devised a social media formula but I limit it to FB for my “physical friends” (coz for some of them it’s the only way I can get a hold of them) and Twitter/Comments/Email plus a few forums/groups for my online friends. I use Delicio.us by am looking at a more effective strategy with feeds and social posting too.

To gain even more productivity and focus I have a 2 day rotation where I do writing on day 1 and promotion on day 2. The goal a four day work week set out in a simple structure that makes it easy to remember. I don’t even need lists for this one – for example today is promotion day and I know what I have to do.

No problem on the link, I do it too – even with my own links!

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Ruth - Web Career Girl

November 20th, 2009 at 9:00 am

Oooh I am always doing a million things at once, then thinking of a million more things to do at the same time. I am really trying to simplify my life by cutting down work projects. I work really hard, but ultimately I have the same feeling of you that I want to cut down my workday/ week. I have found over the months I am getting better and better at simplifying my life.

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Davina

November 22nd, 2009 at 3:48 pm

Focus, focus, focus… you’ve got THAT right Stephen. You make think of this in terms of a bucket. Any distraction is like a hole in the bucket for the task at hand. I’ve been thinking that I’d be better off to “schedule” an hour or so just for blogging/social networking and then move on to something else. These constant distractions keep the bucket empty or at least it requires more effort and time to fill…

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simply stephen

November 23rd, 2009 at 9:35 am

Ruth…I see you are focusing on your 50K book challenge, so already changes are helping you achieve what you aspire. I actually find that I work ridiculous days sometimes and often just research and ruminate before I focus…but that is because my work and passions are the same thing, they are melded as one – a key. The short work week is really to do more of a few activities that I really would like to do…oh, and to get me out from behind the computer and talking with people. Ultimately, I think 4 hours of blogging stuff about 4 days a week is perfect. Keep your focus, doing well.

Davina…or should I say Liza, dear Liza – with your hole in your bucket. I love this analogy. I find that the way to look at those distractions is by breaking things down into four quadrants Important/Urgent, Important/Not Urgent, Not Important/Urgent, Not Important/Not Urgent. If you spend your time on the IMPORTANT things, life will keep you happy and the things you want will appear. To take it a step further, if you focus on the things that are IMPORTANT but NOT URGENT you will reduce your plate substantially because they will be done before they become URGENT and you will not feel pressured to get them complete – therefore, less effort.

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