The last few years have changed the lives of all of us. Staying productive in the hybrid workplace challenges our creativity and focus. Many companies now report that they find that employees who work from home are often just as effective as when they worked from the office. People, however, often tell me that they struggle to be as productive as possible when working remotely.
Being productive is not working more. It’s not about working faster. You may be able to drive your car faster and farther, but without proper care, it will break down. Interestingly, higher performance cars need more care, not less. We are not machines, but we must also take care of ourselves, or we will pay a price. Exhaustion and physical ailments from working harder and faster often mean we achieve less. Even those workhorses who work seventy hours a week get tired eventually. After a while, they find themselves less productive. For example, a typical hospital shift is twelve hours. Studies show that working such long hours affects nurses’ vigilance and increases the risk of errors. The impact of long hours on effectiveness is especially true in critical settings such as intensive care. One study recommended limiting shifts to twelve hours, and another hypothesized that peak effectiveness decreased after four hours. Real productivity is about achieving a balance. An employee is more effective when rested than when tired or anxious.
Today, companies are facing a talent shortage like never before. It is not uncommon for an employee to find themselves working overtime. Many companies report that overtime is currently up to 40-50% of the usual level of 20-25%. Even those who welcome the money they earn eventually tire of it. Industries that have to limit the hours an employee can work are struggling to keep their businesses running. Airlines are the ones most finding the current talent climate particularly challenging. Air travelers are experiencing delays and cancellations in greater numbers than ever before. Staffing issues have led to an unprecedented number of flight cancellations and delays. In an industry that is already struggling, the future is questionable.
Why is the staff shortage so dire? During the shutdown, people re-examined the way they lived and worked. Some people found that they liked being at home. Other people calculated the time and money it cost them to work and decided it wasn’t worth it. Many people with young children have decided to stay at home until the little ones get to school. A number of people have elevated side gigs to main job status. More often than ever, people are looking at what they’ve always wanted to do and going for it.
If you find that staying productive is a challenge, there are several strategies that can help. If you are a manager or leader in your company, these will be valuable to you and your employees.
Be creative and approach work differently. An excellent place to start is meetings. I understand that many companies are having shorter meetings and finding better results. Morning meetings improve communication. Better communication can allow a team to solve problems early, making everyone more productive. Streamlined business practices. The way you’ve always done something may no longer work. As more employees work remotely, managers must modify their management styles. One method that works well is to ask yourself and your team, “If we were doing this for the first time, is this how we would do it?” I also like to stimulate creative thinking by asking, “If you couldn’t do it the way you do it now, how would you do it? Seeing a task or challenge with fresh eyes stimulates creativity.
Set goals and be intentional. The most productive people I see are clear about what they want to achieve. The clarity and focus created by setting short- and long-term goals helps us achieve more. The higher you are on the food chain, the more critical it is that you are intentional and that you set goals. When your team knows what they are supposed to accomplish, they are much more likely to succeed.
Take a moment to get inspired. Some types of work can be stressful. Even exciting jobs have aspects that are heavy. Find ways to make work inspiring. I recently spoke with a young man who wanted to go to work in a plant. When I asked him why, his description of how important the chemicals made at the plant were to the people who used them was inspiring. If you can maintain this level of inspiration throughout your career, you will have a purposeful life. Some people may think that fun is counterproductive. A workforce that takes time to enjoy their lives will be able to bring more of themselves to their work.
Show your team you trust them, delegate. The greatest leaders are those who can get work done through others. Delegating tasks allows you to do the things that only you can do. Delegating requires leaders to let go of possessiveness. Reluctance to delegate can come from the belief that “Nobody does it as well as I do.” No one will learn how to do a task well if you never let anyone do it often enough to get good at it. Delegating interesting and challenging work is one way to keep employees engaged. You don’t have to be afraid of someone doing it better than you. Hire the best people you can afford and support them to be outstanding. Be generous in giving credit for success. Not only will you look good, but your team will love you for it.
Network with others. If you don’t know other people in your field, your value is less than it should be. You should be able to pick up the phone and ask any number of experts a question. Being able to spread the word when you have a job opening or need a job yourself can make your network priceless! Remember that relationships require deposits and withdrawals. Make sure you are as available to give to your network as you are to receive from them. It always amazes me how much social capital goes into even offering to help. Be especially generous to young people and newcomers to your field. There’s a chance you’ll benefit from that goodwill later on. Someone helped you when you were starting out, and here’s your chance to pass it on.
Eat this frog first. When you have an unpleasant task, you tend to procrastinate. I have noticed that an unpleasant task becomes more difficult the longer you avoid it. Like jumping into a cold pool, it doesn’t seem so bad once you’re in it. Not to mention that doing those difficult tasks first prevents them from becoming urgent. If you have to do an unpleasant job, take the time and take it off your plate. If you delegate unpleasant tasks, distribute them to different people. Make sure you give people fun and interesting things to compensate for the less pleasant ones. If you don’t want to do a task, chances are they don’t either.
Learn to live in balance. Periods of quiet do not mean you are lazy or unproductive. They may indicate that you are ahead of schedule or that you are considering a better solution. Companies are finally starting to realize that happy workers are better workers. Some even give bonuses to their employees for firing five days in a row. Working through lunch or eating at your desk does not make someone more productive. Lunch breaks from workstations are valuable for body and soul. Workers who are tired and overworked are not only less productive but also more prone to making mistakes.
Everything I read about productivity talks about balance. Productivity occurs when the amount of work performed meets or exceeds reasonable expectations. Those who follow a routine know that we need time to do and time to be open to inspiration. Inspiration time for me happens when I’m fishing, kayaking, reading or writing. The fact occurs when you are working, completing tasks, or brainstorming. Achieving a balance in how you spend your time will help you achieve more. If you don’t, you’ll reduce your productivity and spend more time on tasks than necessary. The term “balance” can be confusing. Balance does not mean 50% of the time in one area and 50% in another. The balance is individual for each of us, and your ratio will be different than mine. Contemplative people need more downtime; others may recharge quickly. In other countries, people take a month of annual vacation and have numerous vacations. In our country we have fewer holidays, which is why it is even more essential to make the most of your free time.
The most important thing to remember about productivity is to be kind to yourself. Take the time to determine what works best for you, when you’re happiest, and how you can do more of it. There is a way to do your work and feed your soul, and you are the best person to discover it.
Cami Miller is a business coach and partners with leaders at all levels to develop strategies for success. Contact her at camimiller54@gmail.com or text 225-432-0454
