5 Things Highly Productive People Never Do

What sets the highly productive apart from everyone else?  While they may be busy and accomplish a great deal, they work with a sense of urgency, not emergency.  There are many skills and proficiencies which assist executives toward being more productive, but sometimes it is what the top echelon does not do that distinguishes them from the rest.

1. They Do NOT Get Trapped in Social Media

Social Media is effective as a “sales and marketing” tool, as well as a gauge of customer approval.   After all, one third of the world’s population is on it every day.  Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest and YouTube are the big six.  It’s not hard to get distracted for hours at a time, checking feedback and responses.

However, even social media executives know you must limit your time.  Set time restraints, schedule a window of time after more important work is completed or use social media as a reward.  Better yet, assign your social media managing to an assistant or download a social media management app.

2. They Do NOT Procrastinate

Procrastination is the root cause of personal time management problems.  Everyone procrastinates from time to time, but not everyone is a habitual procrastinator.  Highly successful people have analyzed where they are wasting time and set realistic timeframes and schedules to complete projects.  They reboot several times a day to check in and refocus.

Create a firm schedule.  Break down projects into one-hour tasks.  Even if you are the executive in charge, create accountability to someone.  In the words of Alexander Graham Bell, “The only difference between success and failure is the ability to take action.”

3. They Do NOT Dwell on Past Mistakes

Every mistake is an opportunity to move forward and create a new opportunity.  Highly successful people do not fear or dwell on mistakes.  Some even crave them as it provides a learning experience for the whole team.

Mentally strong people waste no time feeling bad; they simply take responsibility and move on.  Reflection on the past can give new perspective, but becoming overly consumed by them is self-destructive.

4. They Do NOT Do Everything Themselves

Delegating and outsourcing are keys to being productive.  Highly successful people are not preoccupied with being “in control”.   They understand that trusting their team or employees empowers them and makes the probability of success increase tenfold.

The most productive people only do what no one else can.  They don’t spend time doing things others can manage.  They focus on the big picture and guide their team without micromanaging.

5. They Do NOT Put Themselves Last

Highly productive and successful people have figured out what is important in life, and it isn’t endless hours at work.  They have their own priorities, values, mission and concern and that comes first in their lives.

Highly successful people invest time, money and energy into themselves and their own growth because they know that is their most valuable investment.  They prioritize health, fitness, family and personal time and balance it with office time and business travel.

In Conclusion

Productive people have found balance.  They have modeled their lives after other successful people and have, unsurprisingly, become role models and mentors themselves.  They know what to do and what not to do and they become unstoppable.

By Fred Coon, CEO

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