The Emotional Problem
How to increase workplace productivity is a multi-billion-dollar industry. From ‘Lean’ to ‘Time and Motion Study’ to ‘Agile’ to ‘Time Hacks,’ there is no shortage of ways to be more effective.
However, tackling any problem first requires identifying it. The bigger the problem, the better the payoff. Not everyone has a factory to streamline or a project to manage. However, everyone does manage their own time throughout the day – from emergency personnel to stay-at-home parents to CEOs to students.
When I ask people what most impacts their productivity, there are common culprits. But when I ask what affects their productivity that they have complete control over, the answer is invariably procrastination.
Procrastination: It’s Not a Time Management Problem, It’s an Emotional Management Problem
Procrastination is not a time management problem; it is an emotional management problem. We procrastinate because the feelings that arise when contemplating a task are uncomfortable.
Humans naturally avoid discomfort. As a result, we find something else to do, give ourselves an excuse, or promise to tackle it ‘later.’ But all of this kills our productivity.
When we finally get around to doing the task, it's often quicker and easier than we imagined. And here lies the solution: Action. The key is taking the first step.
Starting is half the battle – momentum is the cure for procrastination.
Building Momentum
Some questions I find useful to build and maintain momentum are:
"What is important now?"
"What’s next?"
This narrow focus reduces the noise in my head and channels my mental energy into a productive flow.
