Why are some people super productive while others never seem to get everything done? And what can you do about it if you are not currently a Productivity Ninja? Keep reading to learn more about these 7 proven super productivity traits.
A productive person takes full ownership of their work
This person does not have to wait to be told exactly what to do or how to do it.
They take responsibility for their tasks and seek out their own information in order to successfully complete them.
Taking ownership of a job, task, or chore helps you to internalize its importance and also causes a more satisfying feeling of accomplishment when you successfully complete it.
Productive people easily prioritize what needs to be accomplished first
Another productivity trait is deciding what your most important tasks are for the day.
Are you someone who has a to-do list of every single little thing you need to accomplish? Don’t just plunge in and begin working on whatever task is at the top of your list. Choose just 2 – 4 jobs to complete depending on how much time each will take.
How do you decide which are your most important tasks?
Are any of them due right away? Do those first.
Does one thing have to be finished before you can start another? For instance, do you need to finish your research before you can write your report? Then obviously the research is your priority.
Remember that being “busy” is not necessarily being productive. Prioritize the most important tasks and get them done. Don’t worry about anything else until you have taken care of your priorities.
Planning in advance is an important productivity trait
After deciding what your priorities are, write them in your planner for tomorrow.
Then schedule them with beginning and end times, allowing enough time to complete each task.
This way, when you are ready to start work in the morning, you don’t have to spend any time thinking about what you’ll do; your plan has already been made so you can simply get going.
And most importantly, stick to the plan until you finish!
A productive person must be an excellent time manager
Pay attention to the jobs you have scheduled in your planner. Guard those times as if they were appointments with someone else.
The “appointments” you schedule with yourself are just as important as any other appointment. Do not let anything stop you from beginning on time unless it is an actual emergency.
To determine whether something is a true emergency, think to yourself, “Would I ask a supervisor for time off for this?” If the answer is no, do not let it interrupt your work.
The most productive people love to be awesomely organized
Have everything ready before you begin working.
If you were going to paint your bedroom, you would be sure to gather together all of your supplies such as paint brushes, paint trays, drop cloths, etc., and have them all in your workspace before you start.
It’s the same with any other work, whether you are working from home or from an office. What will you need? Notepad, pens, laptop, paper, printer, notes, phone numbers?
Gather all of these things together before you start to work.
Fantastic focus is a proven super productivity trait
Try to prevent distractions up front.
If you can, put your phone in another room or at least in a closed drawer. If you must keep your phone with you, at least turn off any non-essential notifications.
For instance, the only notifications I have turned on on my phone when I’m working are texts and calls. I don’t want to hear notifications for email or apps. I know if any of my family members need to contact me, they will call or text. Those are the only interruptions I allow during my focused work time.
I don’t even answer my door because anyone who knows me will have let me know that they are coming by. Anyone else who knocks can be ignored as far as I’m concerned.
And finally, learn how to tune out most distractions. This may involve closing and putting a sign on your door, putting on noise-canceling headphones, or simply learning to ignore talking, noises, and other distractions.
Ways a positive mindset will skyrocket superior productivity
The right mindset will enable you to more easily handle disappointments and obstacles that may come up during the day.
Additionally, other people like to be around a positive person. Have you ever had a friend or co-worker who just wants to whine and gripe all day? When you have finished talking with them you tend to feel negative and gloomy. Don’t be a doom spreader!
Keeping your mindset positive will enable you to plow through your workday with a healthy feeling of accomplishment and a good outlook for tomorrow.
A positive outlook = a can-do attitude!
A positive outlook = a can-do attitude! Share on XWhat if you don’t see these special traits in yourself?
You do not have to be born with these personal attributes. In fact, most people are probably not naturally endowed with these personality traits!
But now that you know about them, you can begin working to develop them just as you would any other skill.
Figure out what you need to work on and practice, practice, practice!
Read everything you can find and watch videos on productivity traits.
Observe individuals in whom you notice these habits and determine what they do that you don’t.
Also, don’t be afraid to just ask them how they do it. Sometimes the direct route is the best way!
Do you already have these 7 proven super productivity traits? Are there any that you feel you could improve on? Please let me know in the comments.
