CAREER DEVELOPMNT – Fast Productivity or Quick achievements

High productivity & quick achievements by individuals positively impact overall success of the organization, which makes the individual a Valuable-Asset & directly influence his career growth. The 2 sides of the coin Viz. meeting deadlines & increased output for quick completion are the key to career growth

Schedule “Every Minute or Every Activity”

• The question is which kind of scheduling to follow, time-based “Every minute scheduling” or creativity/activity based “Every Activity Scheduling”

• Both have their advantages & disadvantages. Let us understand & take decisions based on their pros & cons

Divide & Rule:

• Every project may not be simple & the complex ones need to divided into smallest parts which can be handled easily.
• The goal is to simplify, without sacrificing critical details or accuracy.
• Scheduling up to the smallest components will help in better control of time-lines & milestone review schedules-based activity can help in meeting both timelines & creativity in the project which will have a larger impact on the project

Big Leaps or Small Steps

• Rapid Progress:  achieving milestones faster.

Cons – Big Leaps

• High Risk: Large leaps may carry a higher risk of failure or require significant resources upfront.

• Overlooking Details: Focusing on big tasks might lead to neglecting crucial smaller elements.

• Difficult Course Correction: If a major leap proves to be ineffective, it can be challenging to pivot quickly.

• Team Stress: Managing major changes can be stressful for team members, affecting performance.

• Resource Drain: Big leaps may consume resources early on, affecting the project’s longevity.

SMALL STEPS:

They are safer, but slower.

Pros of Small Steps

• Gradual Progress: Incremental steps ensure steady progress, reducing the chance of overwhelming the team.

• Mitigated Risks: Addressing smaller tasks allows for easier risk management and course correction.

• Enhanced Precision: Breaking down complex tasks enables more attention to detail and accuracy.

• Continuous Improvement: Regular small steps encourage learning from each phase and continuous improvement.

• Flexibility: Smaller tasks make it easier to adapt to changing project requirements.

Cons of Small Steps in Big Projects:

• Slower Milestones: Progress slower due to incremental changes.

• Lower Motivation: Lack of significant milestones can dampen team motivation.

• Delayed Risk Identification: Smaller steps might not reveal major risks until later stages.

• Potential Inefficiencies: Breaking tasks into tiny steps might lead to unnecessary overheads or inefficiencies.

• Longer Timeframe: Accumulating small steps may lead to a longer overall project timeline.

In practice, the optimal approach often lies in finding the right balance between big leaps and small steps, leveraging the strengths of each method while mitigating their respective downsides. Different projects and contexts may benefit from a mix of both strategies, tailored to the specific goals and requirements of the endeavour.

TACKLING TIME-WASTERS

Turn off notifications

You get notifications, email, social media, etc. Before you know it, 2hours are gone and what you have achieved is just responded to others.

Take control of your time and turn off notifications. Plan when you will spend time on my social media.

Set those boundaries and get rid of that constant ping from your phone asking you to look at it. It is stalling your work and ultimately, preventing you from reaching that day’s goals.

Creative things first in the day

Do all your creative work, first thing in the day. Check your mails later. My friend used to only reply to his boss & few select people on priority & all other mails just after the lunch. I like this idea & followed it except that I do it just before the lunch, so that I am informed before meeting other colleagues at the lunch table

Track your time

I used to schedule next day work before going to sleep & next day keept on my table to follow it, Sometimes peer use it to disturb me playfully. After smart phone it has become my personal tracker for what to do today.

Outsource anything someone else can do more efficiently than you

• A simple way to be more productive is to outsource anything someone else can do more efficiently than you.

• Many people micromanage outsourced work. Remember you have hired them because they are good at what they do.

Get out of your comfort zone

Spending too much time in your comfort zone can lead to stagnation. It threatens your productivity and progress.

I have tried to take 2 hrs off in the evening especially when routine was boring or my boss has fixed up a review meeting after office hours.

Afterall, I am not going to make the heavens come on to my table, unless I you do new things.

If you find these productivity skills interesting, use them in your business. If you notice any difference, please share your thoughts.