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Most of us want to be productive but do not completely understand what we do, why we do it, and who judges it as productive or non-productive.
Productivity can be defined as the effectiveness of an effort, measured in terms of input and output. This definition is limited, as modern knowledge work does not fall in the category of industries (like a sugar factory) or agriculture, where productivity can be measured tangibly, and the output is already defined in a linear way.
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Knowledge work in the modern age involves thinking, analysis, theories, trial and error, problem solving, brainstorming and other stuff which is done in a variety of counter-intuitive ways. It is defined by a diverse range of iterative exploration of yet-to-discover possibilities.
Comparing the earlier (linear) definition of productivity to modern knowledge work is like comparing a bicycle to a computer.
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Focus is a state of attention which puts us in an intentional flow mode, making us live the knowledge we have inside, and create connections using deep thinking in a space and time devoid of distractions.
When one does not burn ‘cognitive calories’ and waste precious attention on tasks that have little or no value, and is not subscribing to an obsolete productivity model, then one can be ‘productive’ in the modern sense.
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Fixing employee productivity in the industrial age, when most workers were handling machinery and it’s parts, was a tedious but doable process. The managers had to fix the people who were making mi...
The basic productivity formula(productivity= output divided by input) worked well in the industrial age as the output and input were clearly defined and measurable.
Today’s leaders need innovative solutions to measure and improve productivity in a knowledge-based workplace, as the measurement of output and input is not what it was.
While assigning value to the output of knowledge workers, we cannot simply measure the output like before.
Coders and doctors cannot be measured by the hour, as their output is not uniform or consistent every hour.
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Those that do multitask the most are the worst at it.
Productivity is defined as, “having the power to produce.” By that definition, multitasking is the opposite of productivity becau...
Either one of two problems: you don’t like delegating tasks, or you’re having trouble prioritizing which tasks deserve your time.
Figure out which tasks deserve your time the most (or those tasks that you do best), and outsource something that’s of low priority.
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“In workplaces that encourage people to be themselves--that are less hierarchical and more innovative--people tend..."