3. You have an all-or-nothing approach
In order to create good habits and a productivity strategy, it pays to start slowly, make mistakes along the way, or fall into bad habits from time to time. You don’t have to make extreme changes all at once, as this can lead to frustration and a desire to give up because things don’t go perfectly at first.
You need to start with small changes and actions that will help you continue to progress, improve and grow in the long run. Start with the changes that are easiest to achieve. For example, keeping your phone on the shelf so it doesn’t distract you, or setting your alarm 5 minutes earlier so you can get to work on time.
4. You neglect necessary tasks that are not that important
There are things we all have to do, like getting the car serviced, servicing the computer, or changing the light bulbs in the bathroom. These aren’t everyday tasks and it’s easy to forget them, but there are times when it can affect your productivity.
For example, if you don’t check that your monitor is working before the presentation, you may have problems on the day of the meeting, which can cause you to start late and cause a lot of stress. That’s why Boyes recommends having a list of “instructions” for what to do and when to do it, so you don’t forget them and rely solely on your memory.
5. You ignore small “leaks” of time and energy.
Playing games on your phone, answering a call that takes too long, or focusing on less urgent or important tasks takes time out of your day. You might think these are short moments and don’t affect you, but when you add them up, they can represent a significant chunk of your time, so you need to take that into account when you have a deadline or a project to complete. .
When you plan your day, you should include moments of rest, small breaks, or even things like your lunch hour or coffee time in the afternoon, so you can get a clearer idea of what you can do.