Productivity is a measure of economic performance that compares the amount of goods and services produced (output) with the amount of time, cost, manpower etc. (inputs) used to produce those goods and services. In the traditional sense, productivity is about maximizing outputs, increasing profit or both by keeping the input same or less. But in the modern sense, when we say productivity, we often mean ‘personal productivity’ or efficiency. Personal Productivity is ultimately about achieving goals within stipulated time and cost.
However, productivity is, above all, an attitude of mind which drives us to continually improve. It is based on the belief that one can always do better than before. There is always a better way of doing things than the existing way. It is a mentality of constant improvement and also a conviction that no matter how good or bad things or situation may be, they are going to get better and one can help to make it happen.
As we have entered into the third decade of 21st Century, personal productivity has become more critical as during the last few decades major technological developments have taken place and deployed in the work places which have impacted drastically in the life style in general and work places in particular. But a new problem has arisen, we are using 21st century technologies but still using 20th Century methodologies. Our mindset have not evolved as fast as the technologies. As a result we are not being able to get the desired outcome.
So it is high time everyone adopts to the Attitude of Productivity to get the real benefits of all the technological development that has taken place in recent years. We need to adopt an attitude for continued improvement. Some of the characteristics of the Productive attitude are;
• Be Positive. Be a ‘Good’ finder in everything.
• Be Enthusiastic.
• Accept the Responsibility.
• Be accountable
• Believe in Self and Others.
• Focus on what we CAN instead of what we CANNOT.
• Focus on what IS WORKING instead of what is not working.
• Remember Good Days instead of Bad.
• Believe that there is always a better way.
• Believe that ‘Impossible’ means ‘it has never been done before’.
Once we develop this attitude, it will be much easier for us for ‘Being Productive’ rather than doing productive works. I append below some of the tools we can use for being productive at all the times which will help us ingrain the mentality of Productivity in us.
• Keeping the right priorities
Focussing on the important, not just the urgent.
• Time management
Being good time at management involves conscious planning and thoughtful decision making. It also involves staying focused and sticking to your prioritized tasks rather than getting derailed by unimportant distractions.
• Problem solving.
Ability to identify the root cause of an issue, coming up with solutions, implementing those solutions, and evaluating their effectiveness.
• Decision making
Ability to select the best possible option from the alternatives available.
• Thinking Out of Box / Possibility thinking
Ability and willingness to explore ideas that are creative and unusual and that are not limited or controlled by rules or tradition.
• Teamwork and collaboration.
Individuals with different expertise coming together to solve a problem or create something new.
• Effective delegation
Creating time for high value task by transferring the authority and routine tasks to team members.
• Effective communication
Delivering messages clearly, keeping no room for misunderstanding or ambiguity of messages, which decreases the potential for conflict and loss of valuable time
• Application of latest technologies in every step.
Turning over recurring and monotonous tasks to automation which will reduce time and also human error.
Last but not the least, the most important tool to be productive and successful in one’s life is the ability to adopt to the changes which have been taking place rapidly and constantly as Charles Darwin, the famous 19th Century Biologist said, “It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change.”
From India, Pune
However, productivity is, above all, an attitude of mind which drives us to continually improve. It is based on the belief that one can always do better than before. There is always a better way of doing things than the existing way. It is a mentality of constant improvement and also a conviction that no matter how good or bad things or situation may be, they are going to get better and one can help to make it happen.
As we have entered into the third decade of 21st Century, personal productivity has become more critical as during the last few decades major technological developments have taken place and deployed in the work places which have impacted drastically in the life style in general and work places in particular. But a new problem has arisen, we are using 21st century technologies but still using 20th Century methodologies. Our mindset have not evolved as fast as the technologies. As a result we are not being able to get the desired outcome.
So it is high time everyone adopts to the Attitude of Productivity to get the real benefits of all the technological development that has taken place in recent years. We need to adopt an attitude for continued improvement. Some of the characteristics of the Productive attitude are;
• Be Positive. Be a ‘Good’ finder in everything.
• Be Enthusiastic.
• Accept the Responsibility.
• Be accountable
• Believe in Self and Others.
• Focus on what we CAN instead of what we CANNOT.
• Focus on what IS WORKING instead of what is not working.
• Remember Good Days instead of Bad.
• Believe that there is always a better way.
• Believe that ‘Impossible’ means ‘it has never been done before’.
Once we develop this attitude, it will be much easier for us for ‘Being Productive’ rather than doing productive works. I append below some of the tools we can use for being productive at all the times which will help us ingrain the mentality of Productivity in us.
• Keeping the right priorities
Focussing on the important, not just the urgent.
• Time management
Being good time at management involves conscious planning and thoughtful decision making. It also involves staying focused and sticking to your prioritized tasks rather than getting derailed by unimportant distractions.
• Problem solving.
Ability to identify the root cause of an issue, coming up with solutions, implementing those solutions, and evaluating their effectiveness.
• Decision making
Ability to select the best possible option from the alternatives available.
• Thinking Out of Box / Possibility thinking
Ability and willingness to explore ideas that are creative and unusual and that are not limited or controlled by rules or tradition.
• Teamwork and collaboration.
Individuals with different expertise coming together to solve a problem or create something new.
• Effective delegation
Creating time for high value task by transferring the authority and routine tasks to team members.
• Effective communication
Delivering messages clearly, keeping no room for misunderstanding or ambiguity of messages, which decreases the potential for conflict and loss of valuable time
• Application of latest technologies in every step.
Turning over recurring and monotonous tasks to automation which will reduce time and also human error.
Last but not the least, the most important tool to be productive and successful in one’s life is the ability to adopt to the changes which have been taking place rapidly and constantly as Charles Darwin, the famous 19th Century Biologist said, “It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change.”
From India, Pune
Dear Mr Tridip Sarma,
Thanks for sharing the article on Productivity. It is rare for an HR professional to write about productivity. However, a few clarifications are also needed on what you have written.
In the second paragraph you have written, "However, productivity is, above all, an attitude of mind which drives us to continually improve. It is based on the belief that one can always do better than before. There is always a better way of doing things than the existing way. It is a mentality of constant improvement and also a conviction that no matter how good or bad things or situation may be, they are going to get better and one can help to make it happen".
What is the source of your information? Who has conducted a study or research to show that productivity depends on the attitude of the mind? Readers expect a post to have proper references. However, references are not there in your article.
Later on, you have given a list of some of the characteristics of the Productive attitude. But then what is the source of this information?
Thereafter, you have given a long list of tools for productivity improvement. However, it would have been beneficial for the members of this forum if you had given examples in support of what you have written.
Sir, your profile says you are "Addl. Vice President (HR)". In that case, a person of your stature could have given examples of productivity measurement in one's company. What were the measures of productivity a few years ago and what efforts were taken to improve those and what is the current status? Rather than bland theory, the examples and that too personal examples register in readers' minds.
Productivity measurement started as early as the 17th century and over a period of time, it evolved into Operations Management (OM). Every tool of this discipline of management is for improving productivity, however, in your 665-worded article, the term "operations management" is completely missing. I wish you had done justice to this discipline of management.
During World War I (WWI) and World War II (WWI), tools of optimisation started getting developed. Later, these tools were consolidated and a new subject Operations Research (OR) was developed. Every tool of OR is for improving productivity. However, learning OR tools is no easy task. Formulating an OR problem is done by the rarest of rare persons. But like OM, by not mentioning it, your article does not do justice to OR as well.
Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar
From India, Bangalore
7879Thanks for sharing the article on Productivity. It is rare for an HR professional to write about productivity. However, a few clarifications are also needed on what you have written.
In the second paragraph you have written, "However, productivity is, above all, an attitude of mind which drives us to continually improve. It is based on the belief that one can always do better than before. There is always a better way of doing things than the existing way. It is a mentality of constant improvement and also a conviction that no matter how good or bad things or situation may be, they are going to get better and one can help to make it happen".
What is the source of your information? Who has conducted a study or research to show that productivity depends on the attitude of the mind? Readers expect a post to have proper references. However, references are not there in your article.
Later on, you have given a list of some of the characteristics of the Productive attitude. But then what is the source of this information?
Thereafter, you have given a long list of tools for productivity improvement. However, it would have been beneficial for the members of this forum if you had given examples in support of what you have written.
Sir, your profile says you are "Addl. Vice President (HR)". In that case, a person of your stature could have given examples of productivity measurement in one's company. What were the measures of productivity a few years ago and what efforts were taken to improve those and what is the current status? Rather than bland theory, the examples and that too personal examples register in readers' minds.
Productivity measurement started as early as the 17th century and over a period of time, it evolved into Operations Management (OM). Every tool of this discipline of management is for improving productivity, however, in your 665-worded article, the term "operations management" is completely missing. I wish you had done justice to this discipline of management.
During World War I (WWI) and World War II (WWI), tools of optimisation started getting developed. Later, these tools were consolidated and a new subject Operations Research (OR) was developed. Every tool of OR is for improving productivity. However, learning OR tools is no easy task. Formulating an OR problem is done by the rarest of rare persons. But like OM, by not mentioning it, your article does not do justice to OR as well.
Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar
From India, Bangalore
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