Why Does Personal Productivity Matter

Both individuals and companies stand to gain from enhanced productivity.

Productivity refers to the amount of work completed by an individual or group within a specific time. Higher productivity means achieving more with less time or effort. Accomplishments can be measured by the quality of work, the number of tasks completed, or the volume of products created.

Improved productivity enables people and groups to manage their time more efficiently, complete their tasks effectively, and achieve their goals. In this article, we explore what productivity is, why personal productivity is important, and how individuals can boost their productivity.

The two main types of productivity are economic and personal productivity:

  1. Economic productivity – organisations or nations frequently assess productivity using a mathematical formula that calculates output divided by input. For instance, a country might evaluate its economic productivity by dividing its annual gross domestic product (GDP), the monetary value of all produced goods and services by the total number of hours required to produce those goods and services. Similarly, a manufacturing business might measure productivity by dividing the total number of products created by the number of hours employees worked on the factory floor.
  2. Personal productivity – assesses achievements relative to the time and effort invested in them. Unlike a mathematical equation, personal productivity often considers the quality of work and other subjective factors. For instance, in a customer service role, it might be more meaningful to measure personal productivity by tracking improvements in customer satisfaction over time rather than simply counting the number of customers assisted.

Here are five reasons why personal productivity matters:

  1. Enhanced well-being – boosting your productivity can enhance your overall health and wellness. By spending less time on tasks, you gain more opportunities to care for your mind and body. Highly productive individuals are often more attuned to their mental and physical states, making them better at recognising when they need to take a break.
  2. Decrease stress – higher productivity levels can help reduce stress. Being more productive means using less excess energy and resources to complete tasks. Efficiently managing your time and energy often boosts your confidence in delivering higher-quality work and meeting deadlines.
  3. Greater engagement with work – more productive individuals often notice the tangible impact of their efforts on achieving larger projects or goals. Feeling in control of your workload helps you engage more deeply with your tasks and boosts your productivity.
  4. Better sense of purpose – highly productive individuals often grasp the reasons behind their tasks. Understanding the purpose of your actions can motivate you to complete them. This purpose might be related to the task, such as solving a specific problem at work, or it could be linked to something you can do after finishing the task. For example, if you need to send numerous emails in a day, the motivation might come from knowing these emails will help you achieve your business’s long-term goals.
  5. Greater sustainability – enhanced productivity can sometimes benefit the environment. For instance, if your increased productivity allows you to complete a task two hours earlier, you might be able to turn off lighting, heating, and other power-consuming devices for those extra two hours, thereby reducing your environmental impact

Is productivity the same as always being busy?

It is crucial to distinguish between being productive and being constantly busy. While constant work might give the impression of productivity, those who are always busy often end up being less efficient. Constant busyness can lead to fatigue, lack of focus, and difficulty with mentally demanding tasks.

In contrast, productive individuals optimise their time and energy, achieving more with less.

Try these strategies to enhance your productivity at work

  • Identify role models. Enhancing your productivity becomes simpler when you can visualise the specific steps you need to take. One effective strategy is to observe individuals who already excel in the type of productivity you aim to achieve. For instance, take note of a highly productive colleague’s goals and time management techniques.
  • Models can also be people you do not know personally. For instance, if you want to enhance your productivity in managing emails, consider reading a book or watching a video on YouTube by an expert in efficient communication.
  • Keep a distractions list. Even when working productively, you might suddenly recall another task that needs attention. Instead of shifting your focus, jot down the new task and continue with your current one. You can address the items on your distraction list later. This approach helps you maintain focus and minimise potential distractions.
  • Send more efficient messages. Managing productivity can be challenging when you have numerous emails, phone calls, or other communications to oversee. Instead of responding immediately, try setting specific times for these tasks. When you do send your messages, aim to include all necessary information to reduce the need for follow-up replies.
  • Learn from your past. Productive individuals focus on the quality of their work. When they succeed at a task, they reflect on the factors that contributed to their success and how to replicate them in the future. Similarly, if they make a mistake, they consider what steps they can take to minimise errors next time.

In summary, productivity measures how efficiently tasks and goals are completed within a given time. It involves effective time management, task prioritisation, and maintaining focus. Setting clear goals and minimising distractions are key. Additionally, maintaining a healthy work-life balance and taking regular breaks can prevent burnout and sustain long-term productivity.

Productivity is about working smarter, not harder, to achieve the desired outcomes efficiently. If you or your business think this topic is worth exploring why not talk to ray@cbass.co.uk


Ray McCreadie
Strategic Planning and Delivery Lead – CBASS
January 2025

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