Written by: Alice Dartnell, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
We all know the feeling of frustration when we look back at our workday and wonder, "Where did all the time go?"
According to research, the average worker is productive for just 60% or less each day!
But hold on, it gets worse. If you're an office worker, where studies show productivity is just an average of 2 hours and 23 minutes each day! It seems we are currently living in a ‘productivity pandemic’, and it's time for us to find a solution.
As an expert in time management, energy management and productivity, I want to share with you my “4 Fs of Productivity”… four fundamental aspects that contribute to how productive you are. Flow. Focus. Feeling. Fun.
Flow: Where peak performance meets optimal experience
You might have heard the term "flow" thrown around as a buzzword, with people talking about “getting in a state of flow,” but there's more to it than that. It's a state of mind in which a person becomes fully immersed in an activity, a mental state where you are completely focused on a single task or activity. In other words, it's when you're "in the zone,” not distracted by your phone and procrastinating watching memes on Instagram.
As Maria R Riegger explains in her Brainz article, Getting In Flow State – The Key To Extreme Productivity, when we are fully engaged in an activity, the mind blocks out almost everything else. This extreme level of concentration allows us to focus, which clears the mind. Flow state is a wonderful antidote to the anxious, racing thoughts that so many of us experience.
Science shows that success and flow go hand in hand. Achieving flow is like unlocking a treasure trove of productivity. So, how can you get into this elusive state of flow? Sure, you know the usual tips like turning off notifications and hiding your phone, but here's a bit of neuroscience to assist you: set an intention before the task.
When you set an intention for a task, you prime your brain's Reticular Activating System (RAS). The RAS is like a filter, or the brain’s bouncer, that determines what information gets through to your conscious mind. By setting an intention, you signal to your brain that this task is essential and requires full focus. One of my clients swears by this technique, and it has helped them stop getting distracted and stay in the flow effortlessly.
Focus: Quality over quantity
The second F is all about focus. As Roy Bennett said, "Everyone's time is limited. What matters most is to focus on what matters most." Forget about multitasking; you brain can’t actually focus on two things at once, and in fact it is doing something called “multi-switching”. Keep your brain committed to being productive through laser-like focus by homing in on one task at a time.
I always encourage my clients to work in short, sharp bursts of focused work. One famous technique is the Pomodoro Technique, where you work for a set time for 25-minutes and then take a short break. Rinse and repeat. Whilst whist is a super popular technique, in my opinion it doesn’t have to be an exact 25 minutes. Sometimes I work in bursts as short as 10 minutes!
Feeling: Energy matters
Now, let's talk about an often-overlooked aspect of time management and that is ‘ feeling’. Time management isn't just about managing time; it's about managing you and your energy too. Think about it – when you feel good, vibrant, and energetic, you're more productive, more focused and more in flow! On the other hand, when your energy is low, everything feels like trudging through the stickiest of treacle.
How we feel is not just a physical thing. It is not just about how tired you are or how much physical energy you have. It is also about the inner you. We know from quantum physics that everything is vibrating and has an energy too it – including your thoughts. How you feel and how much energy you have is certainly going to show up in how you approach tasks, and thus your productivity.
Fun: The surprising key to productivity
Time management and fun might seem like polar opposites, especially when we're surrounded by the "time macho" culture of hustle and grind. But here's a surprising revelation – injecting some fun into your work can actually make you more productive!
Happiness and productivity are closely linked. Research from the University of Warwick found that happy workers were around 12% more productive! So, don't be afraid to infuse some fun into your workday. It not only makes you more productive but also helps reduce procrastination. After all, we procrastinate less when we're doing something enjoyable.
Embrace the 4 Fs to boost your business productivity
So, there you have it – the 4 Fs of productivity: Flow, Focus, Feeling, and Fun. Embrace these principles, and you'll transform the way you manage your time and boost your productivity. Remember, productivity is not about doing more of everything, it's about doing more of the right things!
Incorporate these four things and get ready to unlock your full potential and lead your business to new heights with the power of productivity!
Remember, it's not just about working hard; it's about working smart and having a little fun along the way!
So go ahead, seize the day, and let the 4 Fs guide you towards a more productive and fulfilling business journey.
Alice Dartnell, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Alice Dartnell is a time management and energy management coach, trainer, speaker, and author, who is passionate about empowering people to create a life by design, not by default! Known as an expert in time management and energy management, Alice doesn’t teach time management in the traditional sense. Instead, she focuses on the importance of energy management and mindset as the way to improve time management. Alice believes that time management actually isn’t about managing time! Instead, it is about managing you, other people, your tasks and most importantly, your energy! She works with individuals on a 121 basis, as well as through programmes, workshops, and courses. Additionally, she delivers training to org
