Comments on: Want To be More Productive? Play More

By: Ellesse

Ellesse — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 07:29:26 +0000

Hey Pat, another take is that if you’re doing what you love, you don’t feel so easily burnt out. That’s exactly what I personally feel even after many hours in front of the computer, be it writing articles or checking out other people’s blogs for inspiration. Top it up with a jog or a drink with friends and you’ll find your productivity going nowhere but up…!

By: Patricia - Spiritual Journey Of A Lightworker

Patricia - Spiritual Journey Of A Lightworker — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 06:03:49 +0000

Ellesse, thanks for sharing ST’s story. It makes sense to schedule time for fun activities too. Sure is better than burn-out from too much work.

By: Ellesse

Ellesse — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 03:34:22 +0000

Great insight, Pam! I absolutely agree with you that the key is focus. It’s a rather common misconception.

Dave, welcome to Goal Setting College! I was equally impressed with ST’s story that I knew I had to include in this article!

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 01:16:34 +0000

ST’s story is wonderful. I’m also motivated to work when I know that there’s a fun activity waiting for me after work. It’s like having another reason why we should finish our work.

By: Pamela

Pamela — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 14:36:02 +0000

I think the key is focus, no matter whether it’s on work or play. One mistake many people make in taking action on their goals is saying to themselves, for example, “I’ll spend 30 minutes on this” rather than saying, “I’ll finish this much in the next 30 minutes.” Sounds similar, but it isn’t. The first is time-oriented, the second is results-oriented.

Another way to focus is to use downtime to get tasks done, like your financial planner going to the gym between client appointments. Many of us would fritter that time away on what Stephen Covey calls Quadrant IV activities, those things that are both unimportant and not urgent. True productivity and re-creation happens in Quadrant II – those things that are important but not urgent.

By: Ellesse

Ellesse — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 14:18:04 +0000

Pam, the essence of increasing productivity is more of improving the quality of the work we do during those office hours. In the case of my ex-associate ST, engaging leisure activities after his work improves his focus during office hours, enabling him to do more within the same span of time. But depending on your industry or company regulations, incorporating certain breaks within your office hours can do wonders as well. For example, my financial planner would go to the gym during her breaks in between her client appointments. She was one of the top 3 rookie agents in her first year with the company. In the industry I used to work in, some departments would often go for coffee breaks with other colleagues or even plays pool (yes, there’s a pool table in the office!). Yes, they seldom fail to deliver too.

By: Pamela

Pamela — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 06:48:56 +0000

I agree. As long as we plan our activities right, we have every right to enjoy a moment of leisure. Of course, it wouldn’t mean more productivity if we do those activities during working hours.