To Be Productive and Efficient is to Constantly Say No

I know I’m not the only one who suffers from having too much things to-do, and though we all have the same 24 hours every single day, we always feel like we don’t have enough time.

Well, if we’re going to do everything that we wanted to do, then that’s going to be a fact. It’s also our reason or excuse why we pull up all-nighters from time to time.

We want to accomplish more things as soon as possible, so we always try to put in more hours to work, even though we all know that we’re not created and built to be that way, and our body and brain usually tells us so.

Still, a lot of us, more specially bosses, managers and employers thinks that we are hardworking if we put it more hours in to work, and that longer work hours is equal to more productive day.

Well, it’s not, and there are studies and testimonials out there that we don’t have to put in more time to be productive.

And if you’re reading this, there’s a probability that you already heard or read something about it somewhere anyway. And that’s not where I really want to go with this article.

My point is simple, and though it may look obvious for you or for others, productivity and efficiency is not simply measured by the number of hours that we put in. It’s actually a constant battle within us, with our surroundings and the people around us.

To be productive and efficient is to constantly say no (or later) to ourselves, to phones and tablets, to games, to our favorite tv series and new movies, to short-term pleasures and happiness.

To stop ourselves from constantly checking Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat or whatever favorite social network we’re in to. Sometimes even to our family and friends, to prioritize the things that we need to do.

For me, that’s where actual productivity and efficiency takes place. It’s never easy and I don’t think it’ll get easier. What I experienced though is that by having this kind of mindset, and awareness, anyone can learn to be more productive and efficient without sacrificing rest, sleep, ultimately our health.