Orientation Workshop

10 Tips (+2) on Productivity

Adapted from 10 Laws of Productivity (http://99u.com/articles/6585/10-laws-of-productivity Links to an external site.) 10 laws of productivity consistently observed among serial idea executors:

1. Break the seal of hesitation.

While preparing properly for new project is certainly valuable, it’s also easy to lose yourself in planning (and dreaming) indefinitely take action sooner rather than later. The minute that you start acting (e.g. creating an outline; roughing out a schedule; doing initial research) you create momentum and begin to understand what the task will entail.

2. Start small.

When our ideas are still in our head, we tend to think in big, blue-sky concepts. The downside is that such thinking makes the barrier to entry – and action – quite high. To avoid “blue sky paralysis,” pare your idea down to a small, immediately executable concept. What seems like a workable plan in your head often does not survive contact with physical reality.

3. Pilot/draft

You really do not know what is involved, or even what questions to ask, until you try and execute a project. In research, you pilot a study, basically trying it out on a small scale first, so you can fine tune your process and avoid making costly mistakes later. Creating initial drafts of papers and getting input from others are also keys to success.

4. Define your scope and avoid mission creep

Carefully review project/assignment directions at each stage and outline to ensure you meet the objectives. Tangents are time wasters with little or no pay-off. For example, a great paper is useless if it does not meet the assigned objectives.

5. Work on your project a little bit each day.

As Jack Cheng argues, “the important thing isn’t how much you do; it’s how often you do it.” With projects that require a serious infusion of creative juice – conducting research, completing major projects, writing papers - it’s incredibly important to maintain momentum. Just as when you run everyday, the exercise gets easier and easier, the same thing happens with your brain. Stimulate it regularly each day, and those juices start to flow more freely.

6. Develop a routine.

Part of being able to work on your project a little bit each day is carving out the time to do so. Routines can seem boring and uninspiring, but – on the contrary – they create a foundation for keeping you on schedule, avoiding procrastination, and not spacing on due dates. If you have specific times of high productivity, build your study/work schedule around them. If you have regular weekly deadlines consistently complete them at the same times. For example, if that quiz in due on Canvas every Sunday at 11:59 pm, schedule a time each week to take that quiz.

7. Every problem is a series of smaller problems.

Break projects into smaller chunks that only take a few minutes or hours to complete. The dual benefit of this approach is: (1) making the project feel more manageable, and (2) providing incremental rewards throughout the project. It’s crucial to pause periodically to take stock of what has been accomplished – even if there’s a long way to go.

8. Budget time for yourself (and sleep).

No matter how many demands on your time you have with school, work, family commitments, extra-circular activities, or basic life maintenance if you do not take the time to relax and have fun it will negatively impact your attitude and productivity. Basic downtime and sleep allow you to perform your best. Failing to do so can build up resentment and lead to task avoidance and recreational “binging” when you can least afford it.  Elevate personal time to equal status with so-called “real commitments.” If you have plans to do something fun, and you get that call to come into work or other life chores simply say you have an appointment you can’t miss. An explanation is not required. Make sure you get at least 6 hours sleep a night. If you need extra incentive, research shows that lack of sleep correlates with weight gain!

8.1. Know the difference between being finished and done.

News flash! There will never be enough time to complete any task to the level that you wish you could. Everything is constrained by the availability of time and resources. For example, every researcher will complain that “if they only had more time, more data, or more funding…” Learn to fit what you have to do with the confines of what you have to work with (see #4, 8, and 9). You have deadlines that must be met – that is life - and a certain point you need to wrap it up and move on. You will never be finished, only done.

9. Practice saying “No.”

Creative energy is not infinite. Seasoned idea-makers know that they must guard their energy – and their focus – closely. Saying no is an essential part of the productivity equation. Overcommitting sets you up for failure. You are not doing anyone any favors if your participation is subpar. Do fewer things well. Simply tell people that “It sounds great, but that you are overcommitted and do not want to risk letting them down.” There is never enough time to do everything you want or need to do so now is the time to develop skills in managing your time and resources.

9.1 Learn the art of the sacrifice

A hard truth is that at times you need to cut your loses and walk away.  If you have over-committed or otherwise find yourself in trouble with classes, assignments, or anything, the biggest mistake is to keep pushing through and bring everything down around your head. Better to “jump than be pushed.” Take a hard look at your commitments and see where you can strategically cut and sacrifice to save everything else. If you are unsure what to do, get advice from those in the know.  Better to drop and assignment or even a class than drag everything down with it. Be smart and learn to mange your resources.

10. Remember that rules – even productivity rules – are made to be broken.

Do the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is the definition of insanity. If you are not getting the desired results, then try a new approach. Learn from peers and ask advice from faculty.