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Productivity myths most business owners still believe

If you run your own business, you are bound to have a lot on your plate all the time. The list of things to do never ends. To keep up you need to always be on your game. That is why everyone is looking for ways to be more productive to achieve their goals. Unfortunately, a lot of information we take as gospel is misleading and affects our productivity instead of helping us.

Productivity myths most business owners still believe

In this article, we will share 3 myths that most businessmen still consider to be true, which do more harm than good, as told by Stacey Morgan, owner of Mattress-Guides.

Early risers rule the world

Who doesn’t know that in order to have a productive day, you need to get up early? That is just obvious, isn’t it? We were taught early on that an early bird is the only one to get any food, and those who sleep in apparently starve. You have also probably heard about different public figures and entrepreneurs, who get up at 4 in the morning to go to the gym, catch up on the news, reply to emails, and have early meetings. By the time you finish your breakfast, they have lived a full day.

While it may sound attractive, waking up early to be more effective is counterproductive. According to Mattress-Guides, insufficient sleep has a damaging effect on your system and may lead to tiredness, lack of concentration, slow metabolism, and increased blood pressure. It is vital to give your body and mind as much rest as they need to recover properly. You should have a consistent sleep with the same number of hours each night at the same time. The amount of time is not the only thing that matters, though. You will need to be comfortable and have a good sleep.

You need to have a plan or a to-do list

While it may be useful to create a list of things to do so that you do not forget something important, it does not improve your productivity per se. To-do lists have their disadvantages. Checking them often may serve a distraction and add to your stress level, as you are constantly reminded how much stuff you still have to do. So you end up worrying instead of completing the tasks.

The truth is you do not need to record everything. We do know that the appetite comes with eating. The same is true for some tasks. Quite often you need to start working on the task for the inspiration to come. Additionally, sometimes it takes more time to create a plan than to actually fulfil it. And although it may be satisfying to cross out the things you are done with, you should always prioritise quality over quantity.

Nevertheless, the need to have a plan or follow a to-do list is often predetermined by your management style. It is always best to start with analysing what is closer to you personally and not following the hype.

Multitasking is the key to getting things done

Multitasking is a required skill in the professional world. Being a multitasker is equivalent to being effective and efficient. Unfortunately, it is a myth, as multitasking actually takes a toll on productivity. And according to Foundation, you should be productive, not busy.

In fact, you cannot focus on more than one thing at a time. Trying to split attention between several tasks leads to reduced performance and makes you more tired.

What really happens is that you switch back and forth from one task to another. However, it is harder for you to concentrate on the new one, as your brain is still working on the previous one. So, it takes you longer to finish the task on hand and, as a result, one or both of them will suffer. Instead of being ahead, you are falling behind.

Studies show that multitasking leads to more mistakes, reduced concentration, increased stress level, and even affects your short-time memory. That is why, for better productivity, it is better to give up doing multiple tasks simultaneously. Instead, you need to set clear priorities and focus on one goal at a time.

In conclusion

Just like with management styles, there is no one universal productivity technique that works for everyone. Each one of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. It is best if you try out the ones that seem reasonable or resonate with you the most. If you see that your productivity improves, stick to it and enjoy the results.

More on workplace productivity and growing your business.

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