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Productive vs. Unproductive Work



Unproductive work, often referred to as busy work, is when one is engaged in tasks that do not contribute significantly to their goals or priorities.

- Not all work is productive; busy work can make you feel busy but not actually achieve meaningful results.

- Prioritizing tasks and creating a plan can help avoid unproductive work and ensure effective time management.

- A plan provides clarity on what tasks to do, their order, and when they are due.

- Plans help assess new requests and changes in a structured manner.

- Without a plan, distractions can lead to neglecting essential tasks, causing stress and overtime work.

- Having a plan allows for flexible adjustments when unexpected changes arise.


Prioritize

- With a plan, you can manage time efficiently, respond to urgent requests, and negotiate deadlines based on your workload.

- Lack of a clear plan and proper prioritization leads to distractions and unproductive work.

- Divide daily tasks into what needs to be accomplished (priorities) and what you want to accomplish (additional tasks after priorities).

- Completing priorities is essential before addressing additional tasks.

- Priorities should guide the order of tasks.

- Understanding responsibilities is vital, especially for newcomers.

- Effective planning is based on knowing what you want and need to accomplish, along with deadlines.


What is a plan?

- A plan is a task list and should be organized effectively.
- Tasks can be organized by priority, due date, required steps, start date, recipient, duration, and necessary resources.
- Creating a personal template for task organization is recommended to find what works best.
- If you need help with task duration, seek advice from colleagues or keep track of time for accurate estimates.
- Breaking down big tasks into smaller steps enhances clarity and progress tracking.
- Priorities are often defined by leadership or customer requirements, and it's crucial to understand them well.
- When priorities are unclear from superiors, observation of discussions, meetings, and successful colleagues can offer insights.

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