Michael Hyatt is a former publishing executive and blogger who writes about productivity and leadership. Earlier in his career, Hyatt felt exhausted from working 70+ hours a week. This caused Hyatt to the question the common perception of productivity. Namely, does working more hours and getting more things done signify that we are being more productive?
Hyatt's answer to that question is a resounding no. Productivity should give us back time to do what we like, not require more of us. In Free to Focus, Hyatt provides a mindset and framework for becoming more productive.
I really appreciated the actionable advice that Hyatt shares. I'd like to discuss the great ideas and productivity tips that I learned from this book.
Redefine productivity
In common culture, the typical vision of a productive person is someone who works 70+ hours and accomplishes a lot of tasks. We believe that more is better, so we try to do as much as possible.
This perception of productivity is unhealthy. We work so much that we get stressed, don't take care of our health, and neglect our social connections. What's worse is that we end up doing a bunch of tasks we don't like.
The first step to becoming more productive is to redefine productivity. Hyatt says that "productivity should free you to pursue what’s most important to you".
Productivity should be measured by how much time you spend doing activities that provide value to your organization. We must, therefore, be very disciplined in eliminating useless activities and organizing our day to accomplish important tasks.
Self-care makes you more productive
Hyatt points out that working a lot of hours each week actually has an adverse effect. We think that if we work more hours, we will get more accomplished. But after a certain point, our marginal increase in productivity diminishes with each hour worked. That is why it is imperative to schedule time for rejuvenation. Hyatt goes as far as to say that " intentional rest and relaxation are key to high performance."
To ensure optimal productivity, we must take time to exercise, eat healthy, connect with friends and family, and personally reflect. This gives us the energy and mental clarity to solve the problems that arise in our personal and professional lives.
Another benefit of self-care is that it helps you be more creative. It's hard to have breakthrough ideas when your mind is clouded with stress and anxiety. Taking time for yourself is very important for cultivating great ideas.
Productivity Tip #1: Batch similar activities
Working on high-value work requires a lot of focus; however, the workday is filled with things other than high-value work. We are constantly going to meetings, responding to e-mail, and working on more rote tasks. Constantly switching back and forth between different tasks ruins our ability to focus and solve complicated problems.
This is where we can utilize a process known as batching. Hyatt defines batching as the process of "lumping similar tasks together and doing them in a dedicated block of time."
As an example, one process we can easily batch is responding to e-mail and instant message notifications. Rather than responding to messages as soon as they come up, we should dedicate specific times of the day where we respond to messages.
Productivity Tip #2: Perform an end of week review
One idea that Hyatt shares that I have implemented is known as the weekly review. This is a weekly event (either on Friday or Sunday) where you reflect on your previous week. A weekly review is important because it gives the following week direction. There is nothing more stressful than waking up on Monday morning feeling overwhelmed and without direction.
The weekly review starts with listing your most important accomplishments. It's important to give yourself credit for the things that you did right. The second part of the review involves looking over your notes from the prior week. What didn't get done? What are some important things you learned? The final part of the review is documenting your upcoming meetings, deadlines, and projects. It is important to constantly assess your progress and honestly evaluate how you could improve.
Performing the weekly review is a way of renewing yourself in goals and staying on top of deadlines. Taking 20 minutes to make a plan is worth all the stress that you are saving yourself from.
Conclusion
If you are feeling stressed at work, I highly recommend Hyatt's book. I appreciate his ideas on productivity as well as his helpful advice. I look forward to reading more of Hyatt's work!
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