Despite been seen to be working so hard, you’re not able to strike off most of the things in your to-do list. If you’re so busy throughout the day, then why are not able to achieve set targets and milestone you set for yourself? Well, it is one thing to be busy and its another thing to be productive. They don’t necessarily mean the same thing. You could be busy and involved in activities, but may not be delivering results or expected outcomes. That’s because you have not been able to identify the different between the two. Being busy is a show of activity without necessarily any result while being productive is where set goals are linked to activities that are aligned to expected outcomes. Here’s a guide to tell the difference between the two.
1. Busy people always complain about how busy they are, productive people don’t.
It’s funny how people who are busy keep making a fuss about how busy they are without necessarily achieving verifiable results. They have to let others know about how they’re drowning in work, which ordinarily may not be linked to any set objectives. Productive people, on the other hand, easily digest the fact that there is real work to be done while their work activities can be linked to set objectives and tangible outcomes are realizable from such work.
2. Busy people are not good at prioritizing because they are not able to link their work/activities to any set objectives and realizable outcomes. Productive people are the exact opposite and are great time-managers. They are constantly aware of the task/target before them and their work/activities are deliberately targeted to achieving those targets. The reason busy people don’t accomplish much is that they don’t prioritize well. At first, they freak out with the amount of work load, which are highly disjointed, and are quick to begin working without any plan or set targets. However, it’s important to a strong and realizable work plan is put in place and adhered to. This ensure the realization of turnaround times and delivery on set objectives.
3. Busy people multi-task while productive people single-task.
Doing multiple things at the same time may seem like an achievement or being smart , but in reality, you’re distracting and show disjointed person. Single-tasking puts your focus on one thing and ensuring that they are achieved before moving to the next task. It really makes you the master of one trade, unlike multi-taskers who are jack of all trades and master of none.
4. Busy people equate activities/movements as an accomplishment. Productive people only focus on outcomes/results and ensure that their work plan addresses same
In corporate world, your hard work gets counted only when delivered on your assigned deliverables, which can be directly linked to the organization’s success and realization of its objectives. Busy people have the habit of making their responsibility sound like they are given extra or working harder, but in reality, they are only doing their job, which is basics. Productive people wait for the outcome and only takes credit if it’s a success or desired outcome.
5. Busy people don’t take time out to socialize because it could affect the notion other hold about them of being hardworking, which is born out of eye service. Productive people make it a point to put important events in their schedule including extracurricular events as this helps them to maintain adequate work-life balance and as such contribute positively to their productivity level.