Time to Change Your Productivity Playground?

If you feel like you need to get more done at work, then you may want to consider changing your productivity playground. This is what I call the way you do things during your work day. These choices define your success.

Sometimes your old choices aren’t working as well as they used to. This will mean making some changes to your familiar and safe routines.

A reluctance to change often leaves people stuck in mediocrity. They don’t really like where they are but they’re nervous about trying something new.

Ultimately, it’s your choice. Join me as we take a trip to some playgrounds and consider if it’s time for a change:

Some Playgrounds are Better

As a child, while I could play anywhere, I knew that certain playgrounds were better than others. Whether it was a slide, a jungle gym, or a swing, there was something that gave one an edge over another.

Are there certain tasks or times of the day when you perform at your best? Think of them like a really good playground. You want to spend as much time there as possible.

Along the same lines, what’s keeping you from spending more time in this sweet spot?

You’ve Changed

Sometimes a great playground became a place I outgrew. I was ready to take on higher slides or faster swings. There was nothing wrong with the old playground but it no longer met my needs.

Are there processes or duties that don’t seem to fit your job anymore? This doesn’t mean they’re bad but maybe it’s time for a change. For instance, fax machines were great, until we could easily send documents through the Internet. You made a change because it helped you.

Wish You Could Go Back?

As an adult, I can look back at a playground and wish I could return to those carefree days of play. Maybe you can but it’s more like taking a child there to play. Sure, you’ll still jump on a swing or two but it’s about giving someone else a chance to enjoy the place.

Sometimes leaders may feel like they’re a long way from their old jobs. Are they communicating the things that made them successful, when they were younger, to their teams? If not, it may be smart to take them to their old productivity playground. Some wisdom never ages.