You deserve to check off the goals on your list. We all have things we desire and want to accomplish. In order to do that, you not only need to prepare yourself with the proper planning but you also need the right approach. Obstacles will arise to impede your progress, but setting expectations and learning to deal with those obstacles will make the journey easier.
Here’s a guide to dealing with common obstacles to your productivity.
What’s the Big Picture?
This may be obvious to many, but this is the first step you should take. If you can’t see the target, you’ll have no idea whether you’ve hit your target or not.
What are you actually aiming to accomplish? You may have an idea of what you want to achieve and what your life may look like once you achieve it, but the key is to define exactly what your goals are.
Create a task list for the steps that you need. Set a series of milestones along the way to help you see your progress and how far along you are.
There’s nothing that can negate your progress like attempting to accomplish too much in a short period of time. All of us would love this kind of productivity but the reality is our resources are limited. Things take time so give yourself room and set realistic timelines to achieve your goals.
Avoiding Busywork
Staying busy doesn’t always equate to productivity. Are you working on things that give you fulfillment and keep you productive? Everything you work on should give you value and help you feel as though you are moving forward. Otherwise, it’s just busywork.
A common way to stay busy without as much productivity is to multitask. Sometimes we try to accomplish more by multitasking. However, when you constantly jump from one task to another, your mind is all over the place since you are not giving your full attention to any of those things. Focus on one task at a time, do it well, and move on to the next one.
Organization can prevent multitasking. Organize your tasks and organize the physical space around you. This can help you get organized mentally on what you want to achieve. It helps to have a clean workspace and to organize your day either with a task list or by creating a schedule.
Avoiding Distractions
Distractions can lead to poor productivity and more stress in terms of getting things done. You need the right environment to keep yourself on-task, free from distractions.
Whether it’s a separate office or a spot at the table in a common area, create a space dedicated to working and productivity. When you enter your dedicated workspace, it can help put you in the right mindset.
Sometimes distractions are needed. Take regular breaks so you don’t exhaust yourself. However, be strict to make sure you get back on track after the allotted time is up.
Handling Interruptions
Despite your best attempts to avoid disruption, interruptions happen no matter what and they can derail your entire day. When those interruptions come around, take them at face value and adapt as needed.
Whether it’s a family emergency, a power outage, or a pipe bursting, some things are just beyond our control. You can handle interruptions and emergencies by giving yourself a little extra time on each task. That way you aren’t automatically behind, working on a tight schedule as soon as a small inconvenience comes your way.
Focus on what you can control in each situation and use that to move forward in your progress. Any small thing that can keep you moving forward is better than nothing.
