The Four Thieves Destroying Our Productivity

“Focus is a matter of deciding what things you’re not going to do.” (John Carmack)

“Macro view of an urban person's hand on a chain link fence in De Nieuwe Stad” by Mitchel Lensink on Unsplash

The Four Thieves Of Productivity

1. Inability to Say “No”

2. Fear of Chaos

3. Poor Health Habits

4. Environment Doesn’t Support Your Goals

The Inability to Say “No”

It’s one thing to be distracted when you’re trying to focus, it’s another entirely to be hijacked before you even get to. The way to protect what you’ve said yes to and stay productive is to say no to anyone or anything that could derail you.

Peers will ask for your advice and help. Co-workers will want you on their team. Friends will request your assistance. Strangers will seek you out. Invitations and interruptions will come at you from everywhere imaginable. How you handle all of this determines the time you’re able to devote to your priority and the results you’re ultimately able to produce.

Here’s the thing. When you say yes to something, it’s imperative that you understand what you’re saying no to.

All of us struggle to some degree with saying no. There are many reasons. We want to be helpful. We don’t want to be hurtful. We want to be caring and…