In the 21st century, the notion of productivity is very different from which prevailed during the late 19th and 20th centuries. It's not just about producing more widgets per hour, but about maximizing the efficiency of each working day, which includes nurturing relationships with clients, co-workers and family.
Inundated by emails, text messages, tweets, and phone calls, executives are experiencing a decline in productivity.
A typical manager is interrupted approximately seven times an hour, which adds up to 56 interruptions a day, 80% of which are considered trivial, according to time management experts.
In his new book, "THE DAILY EDGE: Simple Strategies to Increase Efficiency and Make an Impact Every Day", author David Horsager provides thirty-five easy-to-follow strategies for overcoming inertia, prioritizing and keeping mind and body refreshed and energized.
As a term, multitasking is a bit like downsizing--a nice word for something that is not really good for most people. Modern culture, with all of our technology and time-saving gadgets, has left us with a distorted view of productivity.
Cell phones, email, and even open office doors can invite unwanted interruptions. It's not just the time that the interruption takes, but more significant than that is the time it takes to get your mind back to a focused productive state.
Humans are simply more efficient and effective when they concentrate. That is, you can do five things better and faster by doing them one at a time, with your mind focused on each single task. It doesn't matter if you're working on the most important proposal of your life or an email to your manager.
You will do a better job if you're focused on what is right in front of you. Decide which task gets your attention and then focus on only that one until it is finished.
Self-coaching guides for Career Women:
Women and Time (ebook for $.99 or paperback for $7.99)
When Doing It All Won't Do: A self-coaching guide for career women. (ebook edition $0.99, Workbook Edition in paperback $13.41)
When Doing It All Won't Do: A Self-Coaching Guide for Career Women--Workbook Edition--Paperback $13.41