When it comes to work, there is a distinct difference between being “busy” and being “productive”. In today’s fast-paced world of innovation, technological advancements, and consistent connectivity via the World Wide Web, “busy” is often viewed as a value that is directly associated with importance and high levels of success. Pride, self-justification, and an inflated sense of usefulness often accompanies those that consider themselves “busy”; however, individuals that truly have a desire to achieve success, possess a high level of relevancy, and a drive for notability are now transitioning from the mindset involving a necessity of being busy to placing productivity as paramount goal in their professional lives. The concept of “work smarter, not harder” is becoming increasingly prevalent among those with the potential for optimal success.
Justification for Inconsistent Productivity
As we reach higher levels of intellect in the work force and our drive to experience life at its fullest increases, we are now starting to view “being busy” as nothing more than a justification for inconsistent productivity; an excuse, if you will. By tying ourselves up with the mundane, we do not have to face the challenges, fear, and responsibilities associated with true productivity in our professional lives. More and more behavior specialists that analyze the concepts of “busy” and “productive” – as it relates to work – are finding that those that seem to have a consistent level of busy work and little time for more advanced pursuits are simply procrastinating that which is required to reach the extraordinary that may be experienced. As a result of this fact, these individuals wrap themselves and their lives up with ordinary events, tasks, and situations that pose an immense detriment to their overall level of success.
Productivity – In Simple Terms
Productivity differs significantly from simply being busy. Busy is a state where one’s time is occupied with many things to do. Productivity – on the other hand – is a measurement. It measures a person’s efficiency in taking a certain type of input to create a pre-determined output. In other words, being busy is a way to tie up or waste time. Productivity is an action or group of reactions that are destined for a positive outcome. Productivity is the unique ability to create, to generate, and to enhance services and/or goods at work. It is avoiding the consistent overload presented to use through unlimited resources of information and around-the-clock accessibility. It is a pursuit. It is a means to an end, not a means to avoid the end.
Chronic Multitasking Without Results
Being busy is a form of chronic multitasking that fails to produce results. In a digital world where people are becoming obsessed with instant gratification, they are falling into the trap of being too complacent. This is especially true when it comes to the work. Chronic multitasking results in completely ineffective use of both a person’s time and their brain. The productive person, though, realizes the true importance of their time, their efforts, and their creativity. They are geared towards focus, not distractions. They place an emphasis on goals, not things. They realize the true momentousness of each second of their day, the reaction associated with every action, and the signification of every effort. The truly productive are not chronic multitaskers because they know that this does not bring forth any results. In fact, there is no multitasking. Being productive is not doing as many things as possible at once. It is a form of time management that permits you to take your work, input your skills, and deliver an output that makes the world a better place.