SxUxPxExR Performance

A formula to maximize your day-to-day productivity

Back in school, the maximum mark we could get was 100%. Bad news ladies and gentlemen: School days are gone! At work, the minimum we are expected to achieve is 100%. Yet, many employees find this almost impossible, as is unlocking 100% of their potential. So, how can employees maximize their productivity on the job and meet, or even exceed the 100% target?

The easiest way to analyze productivity in the workplace is, ironically, to observe low performers. This might surprise you, but it is very pragmatic given that low performers are everywhere around us and top performers are rare gems. This is unfortunate but true.

In this article, I introduce a fictional character who symbolizes the poorest performer in the workplace. Let’s call him PoorPer. Please refrain from comparing PoorPer to people you know, although it will be tempting.

PoorPer struggles on five main fronts:

First, Poorper struggles on the skills front. He – assuming PoorPer is a man – does not have the right set of skills to perform his job correctly, nor does he have the will to develop these skills. He constantly makes mistakes, delivers below quality and fails to meet deadlines.

Second, PoorPer struggles with concentration. He does not focus long enough on a task, gets interrupted very often, and postpones till the last minutes working on important projects. PoorPer is not only a victim of external interruptions; he also interrupts himself very easily and very often.

Third, PoorPer struggles in maintaining a positive working relationship with colleagues. They ignore his emails, do not return his phone calls, delay his requirements, and even avoid casually socializing with him. Having people around him that are not responsive to his requests certainly undermines his productivity.

Four, and as if the first three points were not enough to guarantee his receiving the worst employee of the year award, PoorPer experiences physical fatigue. He arrives to work in the morning tired and sleepy, and needs at least 45 minutes to get his engines revving. Of course, after lunch, performing any complex task is out of the question.

PoorPer’s fifth hurdle is the cherry on top. When on rare occasions he manages to assemble enough energy to focus on something, he works on tasks not relevant to his department’s objectives or organizational goals. PoorPer is a master at faking busyness by working on tasks that add no value.

Inspired by our imaginary character, five productivity traits for top performing employees are identified. You can easily remember them through the acronym SUPER.

1. Skills – top performers continuously hone their skills. As a result, they reach mastery – a supreme level of excellence that allows top performers to deliver faster and better, every single time.
2. Uninterrupted Time – top performers discipline themselves to focus. With the huge number of daily interruptions, if you can’t manage to concentrate fully, quality and timely delivery of jobs are jeopardized.
3. People – top performers establish and maintain positive professional relationships with their colleagues to secure a prompt response to their requirements. This also ensures they don’t have workplace enemies that might hinder their success.
4. Energy – if you are tired, you will not be able to produce. This is a biological fact. Top performers sleep well, eat well, and manage their health effectively and thus, optimize their productivity.
5. Relevance – everyone is busy, but top performers get busy doing the right things. Day in and day out, their work gets them closer to their goals. They never lose sight of their objectives and never allow unimportant things to hijack their precious time.

Shine in your organization as a top performer by assessing your current performance against the five productivity traits and by setting up your own development plan.

If you want to know more about maximizing your performance, register for our upcoming workshop: Five Productivity Traits for Optimal Results. All details are in the link below.

https://www.meirc.com/training-courses/interpersonal-skills-self-development/five-productivity-traits-for-optimal-results