9 Tips On How To Maximize Productivity
1. Understand the lifecycle of ideas
When a new idea strikes, energy and excitement is extremely high. But when the hard work really begins, excitement drops. This is called the “Project Plateau.”
It’s the doldrums of project management. We hate that place so we try to escape it. There are more half-written novels than there are novels.
There’s the gravitational force of operations — which pulls you away from what’s important to what’s urgent. The key is making time for both.
2. Accountability is key, and this begins with leadership
Effective teams hold each member accountable for their contributions. For this to happen, there must be a clear leader who knows each person’s strengths.
People seldom leave jobs for more money. It’s because they don’t feel fully utilized. This tracks back to a leadership problem. … There are too many disorganized and isolated networks.
Part of accountability involves keeping people honest. We often say we want feedback, but we don’t seek it.
3. Workflow needs to be forward-thinking, not just reactionary
If you simply repond to what’s urgent, that’s a reactionary way of thinking and working. It may get you through the day, but it doesn’t lay the groundwork for long-term innovation. Belsky offers a formula:
Making ideas happen = creativity/ideas + organization and execution + communal forces + leadership capability
When it comes to organization and execution, since there’s often an endless stream of reactionary workflow, there’s a lost “forced space for deep thinking.”
Good leaders will create space for this by “creating windows of non-stimulation.” During this time, leaders will read reports, data, etc. — but not react to anything; just process it.
4. Organization will make or break ideas
Spend energy on staying organized who offers up another formula:
Creativity x Organization = Impact
Zero organization around ideas = zero impact
5 (ideas) x 0 (organization) = 0 (impact)
100 (ideas) x 0 (organization) = 0 (impact)
50 (ideas) x 2 (organization) = 100 (impact)
The company with the best supply chain management is also considered one of the world’s most creative (Apple). Organize with a bias to action.
In order to stay organized, create an action method, which includes action steps and backburner items (which are consistently revisited at a designated time each week).
5. Run effective meetings
Meetings can also make or break an organization. Long, ineffective discussions will waste precious time and energy — not to mention break up the workday.
Look at companies like Google, which hold standing meetings. People only discuss what needs to be discussed, and everyone walks out with “actionable steps.”
6. Surround yourself with progress, and plan for more
Effective teams surround themselves with testaments to progress — such as full calendars or checked-off to-do lists. Progress begets progress.
Successful people celebrate small wins every day and know how to prioritize projects. They also know how to divide up their time. Pretend you have an energy line which runs from low to extreme. Work on your toughest, most important assignments when you’re at your peak energy level. Save the more monotonous work for when your energy levels are lower.
7. Know everyone’s strengths, and create a diverse team
There are three different types of workers — dreamers, doers and incrementalists. All bring valuable skills, but are exponentially more effective when working together. You need people with an opposite or different tendency to round you out.
There should also be a culture of open innovation. Share ideas liberally. Entrepreneurs share ideas quickly and get them out there. They all say the benefits outweigh the cost [of someone potentially stealing their idea]. They believe they’ll get more refinement, more accountability and potential collaborators. They’re willing to make that tradeoff.
8. Create a culture of innovation
Too many companies don’t allow for true innovation. They punish risk-takers who don’t meet expectations. But to become a risk-taker — and truly innovate — is to also accept that there will be many failures along the way.
So much of the latest research around innovation is rapid prototyping. The third time you try, you’ve figured it out. Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.
9. Stay passionate and focused
Fight your way through breakthroughs. Apathy screws over clients and customers.
Fight apathy ruthlessly. And don’t become burdened by consensus. … Nothing extraordinary is ever achieved through ordinary means.
