One of my favorite satirists is really old-school. I say this because his published work, The Devil's Dictionary, contains some gems about Life, from a realistic (and cynical) point-of-view.
His definition of a day, is, "A period of twenty-four hours, mostly misspent."
And while several people might pretentiously disagree, nothing can be further from the truth. We've got so much time but our tendency to fritter it away is more apparent than anything else, isn't it?
Yet this post doesn't seek to be preachy in any way but sets expectations right away with the quote: most of us, normal human beings, are not necessarily 'good' with our time… especially at work.
Yes, we're anything but efficient with our time. The question remains: Is that such a bad thing?
So much for stopping to "smell the roses", huh?
But what if the roses have 'overstayed their welcome'? What then?
The Art of Productive Efficiency
Really now, you might ask? Not everyone can be a robot and be consistent all the time. Everyone needs a little time to relax, you know? Even if it means at, and especially so, at work…
Agreed.
Well, truth be told, there are days when we might have a mountain load of paperwork, and we might just want to call it a day. And that's fine too…
Your bosses are going to complain. That's a given, no matter how well you perform. Don't worry about that!
If you want to be efficient at what you do, you should understand that you should do it for yourself… not to please that dumb ass of a hack you are forced to work with as your mental 'superior'.
(Sorry, I'm not good with authority figures and they know… unless they prove otherwise.)
But I digress…
So, the question remains: How does one achieve productive efficiency?
The clue: it's a "process" (meaning, it takes time) that most creative people like writers, musicians among others will agree… after all, we're all creating something or the other, even if you are stuck in a cubicle and getting something done.
(Editors and critiques can excuse themselves expeditiously… pun intended, of course!)
Yes, the so-called creators do stop to smell the roses from time to time…
However, there are ways by which you can improve efficiency, and a large part of being able to do so, lies in understanding certain factors that influences efficiency over time.
Achieving Productive Efficiency
Now, as mentioned earlier, there are certain factors that influence efficiency at a particular task at work, and just doesn't fall from the skies. So here are a few pointers that can help you understand (and achieve) productive efficiency:
#1:Passion counts for a lot
The phrase 'indomitable will' hasn't come into being for nothing. By sheer passion, people have been known to do great things. And if you love your work, it's going to show, even if it is difficult!
#2: Your Work Environment
Another factor that should play a supporting role in empowering you to reach your goals instead of deter you from doing so is the work environment. Irritants such as gossip or constant interruption are just a couple of things that can destroy someone's concentration. Speak to your boss immediately if this is coming in between your work…
#3: Practice make perfect
As cliched as this might sound, the truth is that the more you practice (read as: refine your skills), the most familiar you will get with the task. In no time, you'll be able to complete the task given to you in no time and with no help at all.
In Closing
Don't bother about what your boss says (if they do criticize), although you can pretend to agree, but remember that productive efficiency is a process. When it spreads to other parts of your life, you'll find enough and more time to smell the roses alright…
