While the benefits of getting more work done in less time is appealing, you may need a productivity reminder from time to time. That’s because making a change, in how you perform at work, requires little adjustments to keep you on the right course.
I’m reminded of my time running the business operations of a professional ballet company. Once while observing a class of trainees, accomplished dancers who needed more experience before they could become professionals, the instructor gave the group some feedback.
She said, “Beautiful is hard.”
The group nodded in understanding as they prepared to repeat a routine.
It was then I realized a ballet dancer can teach you a lot about committing to productivity.
Ballet is a precise art and it requires a tremendous amount of discipline. Poses are well defined and make up the language of a performance.
That doesn’t mean it’s easy. Holding the correct position may feel uncomfortable. Straining muscles will ask if you can adjust it a little.
It’s tempting to give in to these shortcuts but if you do, your dancing suffers. You won’t evolve or grow because your goal is to have the poses become second nature, allowing you to concentrate on the big picture of your performance.
Even the best dancers need reminders. Seasoned professionals, some of whom had been dancing since the age of four, start with a daily class that’s designed to refresh muscles and stretch potential.
For a dancer, these classes are their work and the performances represent their productivity.
In your world, have you lost a step when it comes to your productivity? Do you need a productivity reminder to keep you committed to your goals?
It’s easy to put off necessary changes because you’re busy. Maybe you indulge yourself with shortcuts or old habits, even though they undermine your productivity plan. Whatever the case, your performance does not improve because of your actions.
Long term success is based on assessing your productivity and committing to an action plan. Then you have to put in the work to manifest your vision. Understand and accept the changes may be uncomfortable at first. This is an important step on the path to success.
Beautiful is hard but beautiful is also better.
