Productivity is a measure of economic performance that compares the amount of goods and services produced (output) with the amount of time, cost, manpower, etc. (inputs) used to produce those goods and services. In the traditional sense, productivity is about maximizing outputs, increasing profit, or both by keeping the input the same or less. But in the modern sense, when we say productivity, we often mean ‘personal productivity’ or efficiency. Personal Productivity is ultimately about achieving goals within stipulated time and cost.
However, productivity is, above all, an attitude of mind that drives us to continually improve. It is based on the belief that one can always do better than before. There is always a better way of doing things than the existing way. It is a mentality of constant improvement and also a conviction that no matter how good or bad things or situations may be, they are going to get better, and one can help to make it happen.
As we have entered into the third decade of the 21st Century, personal productivity has become more critical. During the last few decades, major technological developments have taken place and been deployed in the workplaces, which have impacted drastically on lifestyle in general and workplaces in particular. But a new problem has arisen: we are using 21st-century technologies but still using 20th-century methodologies. Our mindset has not evolved as fast as the technologies. As a result, we are not able to get the desired outcome.
So, it is high time everyone adopts the Attitude of Productivity to get the real benefits of all the technological developments that have taken place in recent years. We need to adopt an attitude for continued improvement. Some of the characteristics of the Productive attitude are:
- Be Positive. Be a 'Good' finder in everything.
- Be Enthusiastic.
- Accept Responsibility.
- Be accountable.
- Believe in Self and Others.
- Focus on what we CAN instead of what we CANNOT.
- Focus on what IS WORKING instead of what is not working.
- Remember Good Days instead of Bad.
- Believe that there is always a better way.
- Believe that 'Impossible' means 'it has never been done before.'
Once we develop this attitude, it will be much easier for us to 'Be Productive' rather than just doing productive work. Below are some tools we can use to be productive at all times, which will help us ingrain the mentality of Productivity in us:
- Keeping the right priorities: Focusing on the important, not just the urgent.
- Time management: Being good at time management involves conscious planning and thoughtful decision-making. It also involves staying focused and sticking to your prioritized tasks rather than getting derailed by unimportant distractions.
- Problem-solving: Ability to identify the root cause of an issue, coming up with solutions, implementing those solutions, and evaluating their effectiveness.
- Decision-making: Ability to select the best possible option from the alternatives available.
- Thinking Out of the Box / Possibility thinking: Ability and willingness to explore ideas that are creative and unusual and that are not limited or controlled by rules or tradition.
- Teamwork and collaboration: Individuals with different expertise coming together to solve a problem or create something new.
- Effective delegation: Creating time for high-value tasks by transferring the authority and routine tasks to team members.
- Effective communication: Delivering messages clearly, keeping no room for misunderstanding or ambiguity of messages, which decreases the potential for conflict and loss of valuable time.
- Application of latest technologies in every step: Turning over recurring and monotonous tasks to automation, which will reduce time and also human error.
Last but not least, the most important tool to be productive and successful in one’s life is the ability to adapt to the changes that have been taking place rapidly and constantly. As Charles Darwin, the famous 19th-century biologist said, “It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change.”
From India, Pune
Acknowledge(0)
Amend(0)
However, productivity is, above all, an attitude of mind that drives us to continually improve. It is based on the belief that one can always do better than before. There is always a better way of doing things than the existing way. It is a mentality of constant improvement and also a conviction that no matter how good or bad things or situations may be, they are going to get better, and one can help to make it happen.
As we have entered into the third decade of the 21st Century, personal productivity has become more critical. During the last few decades, major technological developments have taken place and been deployed in the workplaces, which have impacted drastically on lifestyle in general and workplaces in particular. But a new problem has arisen: we are using 21st-century technologies but still using 20th-century methodologies. Our mindset has not evolved as fast as the technologies. As a result, we are not able to get the desired outcome.
So, it is high time everyone adopts the Attitude of Productivity to get the real benefits of all the technological developments that have taken place in recent years. We need to adopt an attitude for continued improvement. Some of the characteristics of the Productive attitude are:
- Be Positive. Be a 'Good' finder in everything.
- Be Enthusiastic.
- Accept Responsibility.
- Be accountable.
- Believe in Self and Others.
- Focus on what we CAN instead of what we CANNOT.
- Focus on what IS WORKING instead of what is not working.
- Remember Good Days instead of Bad.
- Believe that there is always a better way.
- Believe that 'Impossible' means 'it has never been done before.'
Once we develop this attitude, it will be much easier for us to 'Be Productive' rather than just doing productive work. Below are some tools we can use to be productive at all times, which will help us ingrain the mentality of Productivity in us:
- Keeping the right priorities: Focusing on the important, not just the urgent.
- Time management: Being good at time management involves conscious planning and thoughtful decision-making. It also involves staying focused and sticking to your prioritized tasks rather than getting derailed by unimportant distractions.
- Problem-solving: Ability to identify the root cause of an issue, coming up with solutions, implementing those solutions, and evaluating their effectiveness.
- Decision-making: Ability to select the best possible option from the alternatives available.
- Thinking Out of the Box / Possibility thinking: Ability and willingness to explore ideas that are creative and unusual and that are not limited or controlled by rules or tradition.
- Teamwork and collaboration: Individuals with different expertise coming together to solve a problem or create something new.
- Effective delegation: Creating time for high-value tasks by transferring the authority and routine tasks to team members.
- Effective communication: Delivering messages clearly, keeping no room for misunderstanding or ambiguity of messages, which decreases the potential for conflict and loss of valuable time.
- Application of latest technologies in every step: Turning over recurring and monotonous tasks to automation, which will reduce time and also human error.
Last but not least, the most important tool to be productive and successful in one’s life is the ability to adapt to the changes that have been taking place rapidly and constantly. As Charles Darwin, the famous 19th-century biologist said, “It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change.”
From India, Pune
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
Dear Mr. Tridip Sarma,
Thank you for sharing the article on Productivity. It is rare for an HR professional to write about productivity. However, a few clarifications are also needed on what you have written.
In the second paragraph, you have written, "However, productivity is, above all, an attitude of mind which drives us to continually improve. It is based on the belief that one can always do better than before. There is always a better way of doing things than the existing way. It is a mentality of constant improvement and also a conviction that no matter how good or bad things or situation may be, they are going to get better and one can help to make it happen".
What is the source of your information? Who has conducted a study or research to show that productivity depends on the attitude of the mind? Readers expect a post to have proper references. However, references are not there in your article.
Later on, you have given a list of some of the characteristics of the Productive attitude. But then what is the source of this information?
Thereafter, you have given a long list of tools for productivity improvement. However, it would have been beneficial for the members of this forum if you had given examples in support of what you have written.
Sir, your profile says you are "Addl. Vice President (HR)". In that case, a person of your stature could have given examples of productivity measurement in one's company. What were the measures of productivity a few years ago and what efforts were taken to improve those and what is the current status? Rather than bland theory, the examples and that too personal examples register in readers' minds.
Productivity measurement started as early as the 17th century and over a period of time, it evolved into Operations Management (OM). Every tool of this discipline of management is for improving productivity; however, in your 665-worded article, the term "operations management" is completely missing. I wish you had done justice to this discipline of management.
During World War I (WWI) and World War II (WWI), tools of optimization started getting developed. Later, these tools were consolidated, and a new subject Operations Research (OR) was developed. Every tool of OR is for improving productivity. However, learning OR tools is no easy task. Formulating an OR problem is done by the rarest of rare persons. But like OM, by not mentioning it, your article does not do justice to OR as well.
Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar
From India, Bangalore
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
8036Thank you for sharing the article on Productivity. It is rare for an HR professional to write about productivity. However, a few clarifications are also needed on what you have written.
In the second paragraph, you have written, "However, productivity is, above all, an attitude of mind which drives us to continually improve. It is based on the belief that one can always do better than before. There is always a better way of doing things than the existing way. It is a mentality of constant improvement and also a conviction that no matter how good or bad things or situation may be, they are going to get better and one can help to make it happen".
What is the source of your information? Who has conducted a study or research to show that productivity depends on the attitude of the mind? Readers expect a post to have proper references. However, references are not there in your article.
Later on, you have given a list of some of the characteristics of the Productive attitude. But then what is the source of this information?
Thereafter, you have given a long list of tools for productivity improvement. However, it would have been beneficial for the members of this forum if you had given examples in support of what you have written.
Sir, your profile says you are "Addl. Vice President (HR)". In that case, a person of your stature could have given examples of productivity measurement in one's company. What were the measures of productivity a few years ago and what efforts were taken to improve those and what is the current status? Rather than bland theory, the examples and that too personal examples register in readers' minds.
Productivity measurement started as early as the 17th century and over a period of time, it evolved into Operations Management (OM). Every tool of this discipline of management is for improving productivity; however, in your 665-worded article, the term "operations management" is completely missing. I wish you had done justice to this discipline of management.
During World War I (WWI) and World War II (WWI), tools of optimization started getting developed. Later, these tools were consolidated, and a new subject Operations Research (OR) was developed. Every tool of OR is for improving productivity. However, learning OR tools is no easy task. Formulating an OR problem is done by the rarest of rare persons. But like OM, by not mentioning it, your article does not do justice to OR as well.
Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar
From India, Bangalore
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)Join Our Community and get connected with the right people who can help. Our AI-powered platform provides real-time fact-checking, peer-reviewed insights, and a vast historical knowledge base to support your search.
Personnel productivity improvement.jpg
96-05--Investme nt+in+Productiv ity.pdf