We all long to get comfortable right? The reason we work so hard is only to reap the fruit of our labour. But productivity is a tough master and she wants to rip you out in the open if you provoke her with your comfortable situation. Productivity is to produce effectively. When a farmer gets his hands to dream on getting the best of fruits, he first begins to plough the field. The tilling process is a difficult process. The land gets broken and all the rocks and stones need to be removed to get a better produce.
Here are five ways you will become uncomfortable for the greater good:
First, stay away from all your social media platforms: This is a tough one and cannot be easily compromised. Social media platforms have become more of an antisocial element than a social one. The ways to do it is:
a. Delete all your social media platforms on your smartphone, including your favourites (the ones you think you cannot live without). While you could access them once in a way on your computer or laptop, ensure that you are disconnected with the virtual world of unbounded faulty joy it gives. Social media is more of a distraction than an attraction. Signs you are addicted to your smartphone:
- You check your mobile phones as soon as you wake up.
- You use them just before you sleep.
- Your smartphone is beside all the time.
- You are paranoid the moment your phone is out of reach.
- You check messages every minute.
- You play with your phone during meetings.
- You can’t think of anything fruitful (ok, this is gone too far).
b. Have a cheat day to check your social media – Complete disconnection is also not the right way to freedom. There are times, you will need to socialise with your friends online. Make it a habit to check your social media platform once in two days, in this way, you don’t disconnect to the world that many are hooked onto.
c. Move your phone away from your desk: this is a very daunting task for starters. I still find it difficult that my phone is not with me all the time. Distraction is a sin to productivity. You could be tempted to keep a check on your phones when it is beside you, and so, the best thing possible is to keep it away from you as far as possible. There is a verse in the Bible that mentions, “Run away from evil.” The evil of distractions should be shunned by you and the only way possible is to keep it at a distant.
Second, read books: Ah! Another uncomfortable situation I am putting you through. Reading books is easy for people who have time, but us? It’s a no no. I had no time at all. My regular duty was to get up in the morning, have my devotions, eat, and rush to work. After work, I come back home, watch TV, eat dinner, talk to my kid and wife, and slink back to sleep. This was my everyday routine. This changed everything in 2017 when I realised that books will keep you growing. I made time. I had to wake up early in the morning, take my book to the toilet, read them during breaks, read few pages before hitting the bed. I have a list for the year in which I read different books every week. From biographies to novels, to leadership books to management to poetry. I challenge myself to read one book every week. This way, I can complete around 54 books every year. Books enable you to think differently. When you do away with social media, use that time to immerse yourself in reading books.
Third, write: Writing has become a forgotten glory in this digital era. Keeping a diary with you to write is not only essential for you, but helps you to stay productive. I write the synopsis of every book I read either on Goodreads or Evernote. This way, I understand what I have read and this helps me in my writing skill as well. Begin to write either a page a day or for five minutes. This will help you to stay disciplined and focussed.
Fourth, Wake up early: “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” My daily routine is to wake up at 4:00 am. I start my meditation (pray and read the Bible) the first thing in the morning, I then read a book, and write. This refreshes my mind and enables me to kickstart my day healthy. A research conducted by Texas University has identified that students who were early risers scored better grades than those who were late to rise. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/early-birds-get-better-grades-09-06-2008/
Fifth, focus on one thing:
“If you chase two rabbits, you will catch none” – Russian Proverb
Our brains cannot effectively focus on two things. You may be able to do both work to an agreeable point but not to it’s best. If you work on any project and have a deadline. Don’t opt to get another one. Saying a no is healthier than a yes. Learning to focus on one thing until completion helps you to finish successfully.
How do you make your day productive?
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