The Productivity Paradox: Say Goodbye to Warming the Chair

When productivity is reduced to time alone, it creates a dilemma that affects the whole society. The digital age requires a more flexible and friendly work environment that values accomplishments over hours spent. 

Yes, producing but with a new perspective. In our societies, the obsession with productivity has led to the creation of formulas to solve problems quickly and efficiently. “Time is money,” says the adage that has shaped many corporate policies. However, we are in a paradigm shift that challenges us to establish new forms of communication between company and worker, fluid work models and a digital revolution for which not everyone is prepared.

To overcome structural challenges in the labor market, there must be a change in the productive model that can increase both productivity and employment.

Here are some tips on how to improve productivity at work:

Set clear and achievable goals: Break down your objectives into smaller manageable tasks. This will help you maintain focus consistently and move forward gradually.

Prioritize your tasks: Identify the most important and urgent activities and concentrate on completing them first. Use tools like Eisenhower Matrix to prioritize your activities based on importance and urgency.

Eliminate distractions: Reduce interruptions during your workday. Silence notifications, set specific times for checking email, or consider using apps that block unrelated websites during certain periods.

Use time management techniques: Experiment with techniques such as Pomodoro Technique where you work in short blocks of time followed by short breaks. This will help you stay focused throughout the day while maintaining energy levels.

Delegate tasks when possible: Learn to trust your colleagues and delegate responsibilities when appropriate. This will enable you to concentrate on tasks requiring personal attention from you.

Maintain an organized work environment: Keep your workspace clean and tidy. A clutter-free desk can reduce stress levels while enhancing concentration abilities.

Prioritize self-care: Do not underestimate the importance of getting enough rest, exercising regularly, or eating well-balanced meals. Taking care of one’s physical health as well as mental well-being is crucial for maintaining high levels of productivity in the long run.

Additionally, here are some methodologies that can help in your workspace and are also interesting to mention when discussing a job interview:

Agile: Agile is a project management methodology that focuses on iterative and incremental delivery. It uses short development cycles, known as “sprints,” and promotes collaboration among team members, adaptability to changes, and continuous delivery of value to the customer. Scrum and Kanban are two widely used agile frameworks.

Kanban: Kanban is a visual system used to visualize workflow by limiting work in progress. It uses Kanban boards with columns representing different stages of the process and cards representing individual tasks. Kanban helps identify bottlenecks, optimize workflow, and improve overall efficiency.

Scrum: Scrum is an agile framework that focuses on iterative and collaborative product delivery. It uses defined roles such as Scrum Master and Product Owner as well as regular events like daily scrum meetings and sprint reviews to ensure transparency and adaptability in the development process.

Lean: Lean is about maximizing value and eliminating waste in work processes. It is based on principles such as continuous improvement, respect for people, and just-in-time delivery. Lean is used to identify and eliminate activities that do not add value, optimize efficiency, and improve the quality of the final product or service.

This new perspective on productivity can be key to finding a balance between work and personal life, promoting a healthier and more productive work environment for everyone.