7 Mistakes that Sabotage your Productivity
Do you Self-Sabotage?
My guess that you often have plans to be productive, to get things done, and to get ahead of the game.
But then something happens and you don’t quite get as much done as you had hoped.
Then a new “something” happens and you are even further behind.
Maybe you start feeling bad.
Slowly, the guilt creeps in.
Or maybe even shame…
Am I a little bit right?
I experience the same cycle of goals and emotions because sometimes life really does get in the way – a valid excuse.
We can only use that excuse so often, however. At some point, we have to look at if we are getting in our own way.
I know I have and sometimes still do! I will stand right up, raise my hand and admit that I self-sabotage especially when I am overwhelmed.
We don’t have to do that anymore! Here are some mistakes we make to sabotage our productivity and how to fix them.
7 Mistakes that Sabotage your Productivity
In other words, 7 ways we self-sabotage.
I like the way I said it previously better, with a more positive spin on it. I understand, however, how you might connect to the content more though if you can relate to the guilt and shame that comes with self-sabotage. This is a default reaction. It doesn’t have to be like that anymore. When you recognize that these are common fixable issues and that it has nothing to do with your value or who you are as a person, that detaches the shame and guilt from the mishaps or mistakes and just turns them into opportunities for improvement.
You, my friend, are much more than any silly mishaps you have experienced. You are amazing and deserve to be on top of your game. So let’s tackle these mistakes.
-
- Lack of planning – when we have no idea where we are headed, or what our end game is, it is easy to flounder. Get an idea of what you want to accomplish and figure out how to make it happen. Let me
know if you need help with this step. Brainstorming is my most favorite thing to do in the ENTIRE world. - Self mismanagement – Planning on repainting that room in just one afternoon may not be a realistic expectation for not only your skill set but what you expect from your body as well. Take breaks, nourish your body, drink plenty of water, stretch and manage your energy level so that redoing that room will not put you on the couch for the next 3 days with a backache. Being realistic with what our bodies are capable of will actually save us time in the long run. Be good to you!
- Unclear objectives – Do you understand the goals of the project that you are working on? Do you know what scenarios might pop up and know how to solve those easily? When we can anticipate easily possible scenarios or problems and have a clear solution readily available, it saves a lot of time in the long run. Trying to be an effective problem solver in a crisis (even a small one) doesn’t always work.
- Lack of automation – Stop reinventing the wheel. The first time you create something, a recipe, a word document, a process, you have started an automation trail. As you move through the automation process, you will fine-tune it to make it more efficient and the process more effective, however, there is no need to waste time by recreating the same thing over and over again. Stick with what you started and you will save time in the long run. Creating a system so that you are able to find what you have already worked in is KEY! Look for a free workshop on this coming later in February!
- Inconsistency – Staying consistent with your projects, tasks, or whatever you are working on will create a snowball effect with your time and energy. You will spend less time remembering what your goals are or what the end game is and more time getting it done! Stick to it!
- No Delegation – Don’t ever be afraid or ashamed to ask for help. When we don’t ask for help, there is a learning curve that we experience that slows down productivity to a slow crawl or even a halt. Delegating work that you’re not good at or that you don’t want to do will make your productivity skyrocket. Create a tribe of your own!
- Unruly environment – If you are having trouble staying focused or getting stuff done, take a look at your surroundings. Are they neat and tidy or chaotic? Creative people (like you) are more than likely visual learners and being immersed in a chaotic environment only inhibits productivity. It is visually overstimulating. Take 20 minutes, clear your surroundings, your desk, the room, or wherever you are working, and create a non-stimulating space. You will then be able to focus, you will be so grateful and SO MUCH more productive.
- Lack of planning – when we have no idea where we are headed, or what our end game is, it is easy to flounder. Get an idea of what you want to accomplish and figure out how to make it happen. Let me
It is possible to master productivity. With anything else that is “practicable”, your personal productivity will get better over time with more experience, more practice. The point is to not give up. Know what your overwhelm looks like and utilize these solutions to counteract the common opportunities for improvement (formerly known as mistakes).
Drop the Guilt. Drop the Shame. Just keep practicing your productivity skills and keep being awesome! You are becoming unstoppable! I love it!
If you’re still feeling stuck, let me know because I can help. I am happy to brainstorm with you and steer you in a direction that will feel good and manageable. For the month of February, I am offering a complimentary Discovery Call to see how I can help you. I look forward to connecting with you!
April 10, 2021 @ 10:45 pm
This is me to a T. My surroundings are relatively neat, however the people in my home are not. I have a hard time concentrating for being stopped by others. Thank you for pointing this out.
April 12, 2021 @ 8:52 am
Teresa, I understand this all too well. Thank you for your feedback.
April 10, 2021 @ 10:00 pm
I love this list! I am a champion at reinventing the wheel (for starters), and I never realized I was doing it! Very insightful. Thank you for sharing these great tips!
April 12, 2021 @ 8:51 am
Terri, Thank you for your feedback. I think it’s okay to let the wheel evolve, you just don’t have to reinvent it every time you adjust the framework. I am glad you found it helpful.
April 9, 2021 @ 8:25 am
I’m the queen of self mismanagement!! This is such a good list.
April 9, 2021 @ 8:28 am
Jen – thank you for your feedback. It just takes practice. We will all get there!
April 8, 2021 @ 3:12 pm
OMG! I struggle with time management and sticking to a schedule. I know the goals I have, I just need to get better at working towards them. This is great advice.
April 9, 2021 @ 8:18 am
Thank you Alicia for sharing your experience. Sticking to a schedule will become easier as you practice it more. It’s like with anything else, the more you practice it the better you become at it! Thank you for the feedback.
April 8, 2021 @ 12:31 pm
I am guilty of a few of these things. I tend to over-plan my day and then get down when I don’t accomplish everything. So I now start with the 3 things that must get done. That has helped me a lot. Great post.
April 8, 2021 @ 12:56 pm
Thank you Sabrina for sharing your success. This is fantastic and models success for others! I so appreciate your feedback.
April 8, 2021 @ 12:06 pm
These are great, actionable tips. Right now #5 and #7 particularly resonate with me, so I’ll try to tackle them and see where that takes me 🙂
April 8, 2021 @ 12:54 pm
Thank you Asia! #5 and #7 are tricky ones that trip so many of us up! You’re not alone! Let me know how you make out.
April 8, 2021 @ 11:04 am
Great advice. Thank you for this wonderful post.
April 8, 2021 @ 12:05 pm
Thank you Stacy. I am glad you found it helpful.