Productivity is not about getting things done. Productivity is, in fact, about getting things done efficiently and effectively. Let’s face it, this can be a challenge. Life is complicated and you often have to face challenges that you didn’t expect. At the same time, you can easily get distracted by little things — or big ones, like friends dropping by, Facebook and other fun things.
So, how can you be productive and get things done in a world of distractions? How can we bring our life and work projects to completion? Learn from some of the greatest leaders of all time and apply it to your life in a way that make sense to you. Here are 10 things you can learn from greatest leaders and how you can apply it to your life too.
1. Think Big
The first step in being productive is having your mind on a completely different level. Once you decide what you want, go after it. Thinking big is the key to setting goals and achieving them.
So, how you get to do this? Start dreaming… Create great dreams and big goals.
It always seem impossible until is done! – Nelson Mandela
2. One Step at a Time
Now, you have great dreams and an objective. You may be thinking big, but you must also know how to take things slowly. The real work in getting things done is not about dreaming but instead about planning every little step that you are going to take in order to be get there. Learn to take small sure steps rather than taking big uncertain steps. This will help you get things done effectively.
“Great acts are made up of small deeds.” – Lao Tzu
3. Perseverance
Taking small steps still does not give you the assurance that you will be immediately productive. Sometimes you will meet up against obstacles and you’ll have to figure out how to get around them. Even if you come off your path, you must try to find a way back to it.
I have not failed, I have 10,000 other ways that won’t worl – Thomas Edison
4. Do Not Settle
If you have a big dream, don’t settle for less than that dream. But at the same time, remember to savor the journey to achieving it. Each small event, each small task is a step in getting to your dream. If your dream is to be a big-time singer, you’ll have to sing in a lot of small venues, often for no pay. While this may not be the dream in and of itself, you can savor each of these experiences, enjoy them and learn from them.
Experience is the teacher of all things – Julius Caesar
5. Have a Proper Mindset
This seems to take you back to the first key, but if you will have a proper mindset about the idea of having a proper mindset, you will know that it isn’t. Mindset is not about dreaming but looking at things from different perspectives.
Set your mind toward your task and you can achieve it. Worrying about failure or other problems will only distract you. Try and keep your eyes on the prize.
Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right – Henry Ford
6. Change
Sometimes, we have to change in order to pursue our goals. Our own behavior is often counter productive.
Being productive requires flexibility. Obviously, if you are not being productive something is not working and you must change.
To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often. – Winston Churchill
7. Take Risks
When you change, you will be able to take risks and expand your opportunities and achieve the expected results. Life is about taking chances. Opportunities come only once if you don’t take them someone else will.
Taking risks is not only about business opportunities or related topics it is in fact about productivity. Being curious and taking the risk of doing that extra task to aim for excellence will in fact show you that you can produce more in the same time span. Challenge yourself. This way, you will not have any regrets about not trying to do more. It’s better to fail than to not try at all.
Go out on a limb. That’s where the fruit is. – Jimmy Carter
8. Do Not Just Do Something
You may be taking risks, changing and moving, but movement is a lot different than taking action. Do not just do something in order to get it done. Do not just do stuff, do things that matter and are taking you closer to your goals. Once this act became a habit, it will be difficult to change.
If you are doing just stuff you may want to go back to tip six. You must change it!
Never confuse motion with action – Benjamin Franklin
9. Connect with Your People
To be productive, you must know how to effectively communicate with people. Why? Because there is no man that can do it all. Being an effective communicator allows you to delegate tasks that are not your forte and leverage the strengths of others.
You must learn to let go, but to get there you must communicate effectively the expected outcomes. Focus on your core competencies. Do what you are suppose to be doing not learning what others can do better.
Surround yourself with the best people you can find, delegate authority, and don’t interfere as long as the policy you’ve decided upon is being carried out. – Ronald Reagan
10. Aim for Excellence
This may be the last on our list, but it is also ranked as a 10. You must consistently aim for excellence make it a habit. It will also influence other people around you.
I must add that the act of excellence does not mean perfection. It means doing the right thing to get the right results. Do the right things in life, for your business, for your family and focus! Take the steps required to produce excellent outcomes.
Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected. – Steve Jobs
So, there you have it 10 things that great leaders can teach us and how to apply it to your productivity and goals achieving process.
What to do next? Evaluate yourself and not just keep yourself busy, be productive.
Featured photo credit: gothick_matt via farm4.staticflickr.com
