The “Productivity Enhancers” That May be Killing Your Business
Technology has provided us with some incredible ways to increase productivity. But is it possible to get too much of a good thing? Well, when it comes to our personal availability – anywhere, anytime, in an instant, the answer is absolutely yes.
Now don’t get me wrong, 24/7 access can be a great thing, but it needs to be controlled and balanced to avoid contracting a Entrepreneurial Productivity Killer Virus that will weaken your ability to maximize your business potential.
If you are like many of our clients, you may have tremendous difficulty staying focused and therefore struggle with getting important tasks completed – even ones that can have a measurable improvement on your profits, lifestyle and competitiveness of your business. You may also have a habit of putting off planning “until you have time”.
If that describes you, even a little, then I think you will get a ton of value out of what I am going the share with you here.
It took a week in the extreme wilderness to get me to realize the problem.
I recently got back from the remote area in Canada, where one of our lake houses is located. It is remote to say the least. In fact, we are 40 minutes from a grocery store and there are only 19 homes and a few fishing lodges on this 10,000 acre lake!
There is not a lot to do up there except relax…something I have yet to learn to do well. And, the cell phone does not work here at all and there is no Internet access!
What I noticed while I was there was an incredible burst in my creativity. In fact, I could hardly write the thoughts down as fast as they came to me. I even finished two chapters of my book, which I have put off for two years. My ability to focus was unbelievable.
Well, you say, “That is because you were in paradise.” Perhaps, but my contention is that this had only a small part to do with it.
Let me continue with the story.
As we re-entered the US, via car, I instantly began getting calls, texts, emails – over 200 of them, and was back in the fast, constant interruption state of mind…you know, that state where it is almost impossible to stay focused on anything and where you feel this ludicrous need to answer every email, call and text immediately.
What occurred to me is that one of the major problems with Personal Productivity is these interruptions that are part of our 24/7 communication world… regardless of whether we are at dinner with your family, at a ball game, driving, sleeping, or working on an important project. We simply have little uninterrupted time these days and this can destroy our ability to stay focused and get things done.
Think about a time that you wrote a plan or thought through a complex problem or developed sales copy or a script, or designed a compensation plan, or any other activity that requires concentration. Now, how long did it take you to get in the “creative zone” – fifteen minutes, thirty minutes or even an hour? And if you were interrupted, how long did it take you to get back in the “creative zone”? Well, if you are like me, a one hour task can take four to five times longer with just a few interruptions.
Amazingly, as I am writing these very words, my wife just came in and massively interrupted me with a non-urgent issue (my view anyway). And it totally interrupted my “creative zone”.
Where was I, oh yes…
It took the past to understand what we need in the future
When I built my first national company, I developed 90% of it while driving in the car, BEFORE there were affordable cell phones. I was in the car several hours a day and it was during that “quiet” time that I did my creative thinking and planning. I would leave a prospect’s or client’s office and instantly start creating solutions to the problems or improvement to our service.
My friend, Jay Abraham, once told me that when he writes copy he often puts it aside and does something relaxing until the inspiration hits and his creative juices go nuts…sometimes this takes him a week or more.
Give Yourself the Gift of Being Disconnected
So let me ask you a question. Do you give yourself permission to turn off the phones, email and interruptions to focus on important projects?
If not, my challenge to you is to carve out dedicated times each week where you allow yourself the chance to get into the “Creative Zone” by getting totally disconnected and working on important tasks and projects.
A couple important keys to doing this effectively:
It is critical that you give yourself time to unwind and get into state. This may take 30-60 minutes so don’t get frustrated.
Go somewhere where any signs of work and electronic communication gadgets are no where around. I have several areas I work in depending on what I am doing. My creative place is by my pool and pond.
Work on only ONE project or key task at a time.
Enjoy the feeling of creativity. It is an energy like no other and the rewards of getting things done are awesome.
Go for it and Profit NOW™.
