Ever wondered why your productivity sometimes takes a hit? Surprisingly, certain habit might be the culprit, that silently kills your productivity and hinder your efficiency and time management.
In a world full of distractions, recognizing and overcoming these habits is vital for long-term success.
While smartphones are often blamed, other seemingly harmless daily habits can also impact your work levels.
Join us as we talk about
some common productivity-killing habits and explore ways to conquer them.
Read Also: 17 practical ways to improve yourself
Habit That Kills Your Productivity and Ways to Overcome It
Bad habits can harm how much we achieve in life. Being productive, and doing things that matter, is crucial for personal and mental growth.
If certain habits are stopping us from being productive, identifying and getting rid of them with determination and self-discipline can make us more productive.
Below are some habits that you are so engaged in that are making you less productive or not as productive as you should be. And ways to overcome them.
1. Procrastination
Procrastination is the thief of time. In the sense that, you always leave the things you want to do for later. You tell yourself, there’s still time.
Hence, you can do those things that are required of you much later instead of you doing them now. This is such a bad habit that kills your productivity.
It makes you less efficient! Because you find yourself, whiling away time not doing anything else that is good and productive for yourself.
You either find yourself watching the TV, or just chitchatting about things that are not so important and essential to your personal growth.
The habit of procrastination eats so deep into your being that it’s most times very very hard to overcome it.
But do not be dismayed! Remember that whatever you put your heart into, you will surely get it definitely!
How to Overcome Procrastination?
- Take a few minutes to relax before starting any task.
- Clear your mind and think about the best approach for the task.
- Reflect on what you stand to gain from completing the task efficiently.
- Understand why it’s important to give your best effort.
- If your phone is a distraction, put it on silent.
- Turn off notifications and keep your phone out of sight until the task is finished.
- If the TV is distracting, turn it off.
- Move away from the TV to a location where it’s not visible.
- Concentrate on what needs to be done until the task is completed.
2. Daydreaming
How it’s such a wonderful thing to be in fantasy land. Daydreaming about all the nice, good, and great things you want in life or for yourself.
You spend so much time, daydreaming about how you bought a private jet, or how you went on vacation to Italy.
How you went on an expensive shopping spree all by yourself, and so much more.
While doing all these, you may not even have up to $1,000 in your name in your bank account. Yet you spend so much time and energy wasting it on daydreaming.
Mind you, having high hopes and thinking big is fantastic! But what’s the use and point of always thinking about all the BIG things you want to do and achieve?
And you don’t work towards it, or take the first step into accomplishing those things and making them come to reality? But all you do almost all day is simply daydream and fantasize about them.
It’s energy-draining and it makes you less productive if you would agree.
Ways to Overcome Daydreaming
- Draft a plan to turn your dreams into reality.
- Find out the courses and actions needed to progress.
- Make friends, read, and research those who have achieved similar goals.
- Stop daydreaming and start working towards your aspirations.
3. Trying to Be a Perfectionist
Yeah, it’s good to want to get things accurately done and in great shape. But why kill yourself over wanting all the things you do to be so perfect?
Being perfect is not only draining it wears you out of time and being yourself. Remember you will not always get a great review from everyone. Because there sure would be some critics that would want to wear you out.
And make you feel the thing you were striving so hard to perfect is just something not so good and worthwhile after all.
So why torture yourself over things you do and want/them to be perfect almost all the time?
How to Overcome Being a Perfectionist
- Take a step back and calm yourself.
- Don’t overwhelm yourself; approach tasks one step at a time.
- Strive for excellence, but understand perfection isn’t always achievable.
- Don’t wear yourself out aiming for perfection every time.
- If things don’t go perfectly, do the best you can and move forward.
Read Also: 5 habits to imbibe on, to be a more disciplined person
4. Not Having a Daily Production Plan for the Day
Why be like an army going out to war without ammunition? Why be like a fisherman going out to the sea to fish, and he forgot his net or his fishing hook?
In both instances, they both set out to fail yeah? Don’t be like this almost all day, week in week out, or year in year out!!!
This habit of starting off your day without a good productive routine or plan for the day kills your productivity.
You’d realize, the day goes by without you achieving much. Because you don’t even have a plan on the things to do and how to accomplish or go about them.
This habit killing your productivity needs to stop!!! You need to lay out a plan for your day.
How to Have a Daily Production Plan
- Plan your day the night before.
- Endeavor to list out the essential things you need to do, by starting with the very important ones.
- Come up with at least 3 important things you can do for the day with ease. And accurately.
- Do not bombard yourself with so many things
- Stay focus!!
5. Doing Too Many Tasks at Once
What are the things you have on your to-do list for the day? Do you have plans to do the chores? To reply to your emails? Or to read a good book? Is it to meditate, etc.
Whatever you may have laid out on your to-do list to do for the day, do you complete each task completely before moving on to the next task on the list?
Or do you find yourself always trying to do everything all at once but halfway each time, without completely taking care of them in an efficient way?
If this is you, and how you do your things, then you need to stop that habit today!
Such a habit of trying to get all the things done on your to-do list for the day, can easily wear you out and make you feel so completely overwhelmed if you end up not meeting up with those things you need to do.
How To Overcome Doing Too Many Tasks at Once
- Identify the most important tasks on your to-do list.
- Finish one task before moving on to the next.
- Resist the urge to do everything simultaneously.
- Trying to do too much at once can be overwhelming.
- Focus on completing tasks efficiently rather than juggling multiple tasks.
- Come up with straightforward approaches to tackle each task.
- Prioritize and handle the most urgent tasks first.
- Organize your tasks to avoid feeling clueless about what to do next.
6. Not Having Enough Rest!
You must take a break and sleep at least 4/6 hours each day. That way you’d feel refreshed and very energized about your day.
But once you’re not well relaxed or have not had enough rest the night before, you will find yourself feeling easily tired and stressed out.
Therefore, it is very paramount that you try as much as you can to rest more, by relaxing your body and mind for a few hours before moving on to the task at hand.
That way, your mind will be clear of any clogs and you’ll feel way better, and happy to begin your day.
How To Practice Getting More Rest
- Aim for at least 4-6 hours of sleep each day.
- Set a consistent bedtime and wake-up time.
- Ensure your sleep space is comfortable and calming.
- Reduce exposure to screens at least an hour before sleeping.
- Minimize caffeine and nicotine intake, especially in the evening.
- Practice calming activities like deep breathing or meditation.
- Wind down with less stimulating activities as bedtime approaches.
- Pay attention to your body’s signals for rest and prioritize them.
- If sleep issues persist, consult with a healthcare professional.
7. Spending So Much Time on Social Media
Social media helps you interact and keep yourself abreast of the things happening around you.
It also helps you know about the latest developments and events that have taken place both near and far in different continents around the world.
But when all you do is head on to your social media handle every now and then chatting, following some people that are not adding to your life.
Or you spend so much time arguing about things that are and are not. Or you spending endless time, watching different videos that are not beneficial to your personal growth, etc.
This kills your productivity and your personal and mental growth.
How to Stop Spending Too Much Time on Social Media
- Allocate specific time slots for social media use and stick to them.
- Install apps that help limit and track your social media usage.
- Disable unnecessary notifications to reduce the urge to check.
- Establish areas or times where social media is off-limits.
- Plan activities that don’t involve social media to break the habit.
- Streamline your feed by unfollowing accounts that don’t add value.
- Define clear goals for social media use to avoid mindless scrolling.
- Structure your day with planned social media breaks.
- Invest time in activities that don’t involve screens.
- Foster in-person connections rather than relying solely on online communication.
Read Also: Morning toxic habit, you need to stop doing today
Final Thought
Habits play a crucial role in productivity. Hence, identifying and overcoming habits that hinder productivity is a key step towards success.
Remember that overcoming productivity-killing habits is a gradual process. By addressing these challenges head-on and adopting practical solutions, you’re taking significant strides toward a more productive and efficient you.
Stay committed to implementing positive changes, and watch how these habits transform into a springboard for your success.
RELATED POST
7 Things you will regret, not doing much later in life
Reasons why you lack motivation, and how to overcome it
Monday Motivation Quotes for a Great Week
13 Great Ways To Live Your Best Life Ever
Toxic Habits You Need To Quit Today