Many are yet to realize that as important as could be busyness in life, productivity is the paramount. To be busy is to be found committed or engaged at a thing, but to be productive is to be able to yield desired results. That is what the world is looking for. No company or office would employ or keep any person just on the note of busyness.
That's why prior to any appointment, a thorough interview is always conducted by a company expert who is to assess the prospective worker. Generally, the expert majors on questions or trials that can call in the productivity of the job seeker.
When I applied in 2006 for a teaching position at a college, I was asked to submit my application and other required documents. Upon satisfaction, the school gave me a written test in my field. I did well and was taken to a classroom where I was to do micro teaching in the presence of some students and the school expert. My performance was very impressive and I was given the job. The school witnessed my productivity. No matter your field, don't just be busy, be productive too.
DISCOVER YOUR POTENTIALS
The process of productivity varies according to occupations. No matter the process, the paramount is the yielded results. However, the maximization of one's potentials is the facilitator of productivity. But potentials are not engaged to work without being discovered in the first place. That has been one of the greatest challenges of man. Potentials are what I call man's tools to fulfill destiny. They are divine abilities embedded in every person to fulfill his purpose of existence.
Coming to me, my potentials are exhibited in writing and teaching which I do without duress and struggles. While mine are these two, to others, it might be just one or many things else such as: singing, swimming, soccer, racing, dancing, etc. Remember, to be productive in any field, you must discover your potentials and maximize them to their fullest possible. Have you discovered your potentials? Have you maximized them to their fullest?
DO WHAT YOU KNOW TO DO BEST
Life is so complex and the societal demands are too many and very pressing to the point that most times the opportunity for one to do what he knows to do best is not often granted. Productivity does not necessarily answer to busyness but to one doing what he knows to do best.
Some years ago I have been involved in too many things simply because I thought it was good just handling them. But with time, I found that I was just doing well in writing and teaching. As a writer, I have written several newsletters, manuscripts and books. And as a teacher too, I have been privileged to get a good teaching job with one of the best schools in Nigeria, and have traveled to some places as a conference speaker addressing both young and old people.
While it's true that most times at workplace the chance to do what one knows best to do may not be granted oftentimes, however, anyone should do his best. And that best is most times rewarded with a promotion.
READ AND DO RESEARCH ABOUT YOUR FIELD.
Anyone that wants to excel in any endeavor should read books and do research about the field. Whether as a beginner or advanced professional, the need and place for constant reading and research cannot be overemphasized. These two tools will arm whoever is willing to be productive or go far in life. As a writer and teacher, I read a lot of books on Christianity, career, dating, relationship, marriage, parenting and education.
These are my fields of specialization, and there is barely a day I don't read books on these fields. Sometimes to be update I would do research from the internet for minutes or hours according to my schedule for that day.
ASSOCIATE YOURSELF WITH THE SUCCESSFUL.
While one could be productive on his own, however, to associate oneself with successful folks would enhance productivity. Getting along with skillful, productive and resourceful people will always place or keep one on the path of excellence.
As a career, or business person, or anyone in any other field, who do you walk with? Who is your mentor or coach? Association influences lives. The more you walk with folks that are doing well, the more you will be productive. Let me suggest 4 ways you could be involved in association.
- Get a coach or mentor.
- Read books.
- Attend conferences and seminars.
- Get along with productive and successful folks.
V- UNDERSTAND YOUR FIELD. SET GOALS. BE COORDINATED. BE SYSTEMATIC. BE TIMELY.
Productivity begins with you understanding your field and its demands. For instance as a teacher and lecturer, I understood that my field is about imparting knowledge to students. I go for knowledge wherever it could be found through reading, study, and research. Secondly, I set goals for the day. I put into consideration the things I would like to achieve with the students for the day. Thirdly, I must be coordinated. To be coordinated means to be organized. Productivity requires a lot of organizational skills. This means carrying out the things you want to begin with for the day. I suggest you list those things down. Fourthly, you must be systematic. To be systematic means doing things in a carefully planned way. It's almost like being coordinated. Fifthly, you must be timely. This means being time conscious and being able to discharge your duty according to the time given to you for that assignment. Here the need for being precise, fast, focus and putting aside things of less importance comes in.
