Is It Time for a Productivity Tune-Up?

Posted on February 22, 2016 by Ken Abrams, One of Thousands of Executive Coaches on Noomii.

Considering the 1967 Porsche Targa in your driveway, the issue of a tune-up is a no-brainer. No one would risk ruining such a finely crafted (and expensive) machine by neglecting routine—but critical—maintenance.

(Main-te-nance (noun): work that is done regularly to keep a machine, building or piece of equipment in good condition and working order)

Ah, but when we turn our attention to the finely crafted “machine” reading this article, and the equally finely crafted enterprise you’re responsible for, suddenly “tune-up” starts to sound like your mother nagging you to brush your teeth. Yet the same principles apply: Maintenance is what it takes to keep us “in good condition and working order.”

Step #1 in any productivity tune-up has to start with a quick assessment of where you stand today.
What’s frustrating you? Where do you feel you are failing, or just failing to achieve your potential? What are the sources of stress? Next, take a hard look at the source of these problems to see what needs attention. Then consider some of these tips and resources from well-known productivity experts to identify ways you can accomplish more while reducing stress and putting some enjoyment back in your life.

Practice saying “No.”
Do you find that your work has bled almost seamlessly into your personal life? One of the answers to this problem is often the word, “No.” You have to acquire the skill to utter that magic word in order to create some boundary around your work and create the opportunity for personal relaxation and renewal. The key is to steadfastly turn down obligations unless they further your priorities.

Invest in your health.
This goes without saying, right? Actually, for most of us, it also goes without doing. In the view of Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz, authors of The Power of Full Engagement, it is managing your energy— starting with your physical health, including diet, sleep and exercise—that is more important than managing time in improving your personal productivity. Protect your mornings. Many experts report that most people are naturally more creative and energetic in the mornings. Julia Morgenstern suggests, in Never Check Email in the Morning, that you apply yourself to your most challenging tasks then and save the routine housecleaning until later in the day.

Pick a system—any system—just pick one.
How many different places do you squirrel away information? Email? Yellow pads? Daily planner? PDA? Post-it Notes stuck like a yellow halo around your computer screen? It may take some time to sort through the options, but decide on one…and then use it. Any system that you actually use is better than no system or the hodge-podge that so many of us have fallen into.

Treat the process of personal renewal itself as a priority.
Build a regular personal renewal “Tune-Up” into your calendar. To use Stephen Covey’s classic “maintenance” metaphor, think of this as “sharpening the saw.” Schedule it. Place it in the priority queue, assign time to it, and actually give it some of your attention. Your time will be well spent.