📺 Stream EntrepreneurTV for Free 📺

Stop Now! These Habits Are Killing Your Productivity It is more than you even realise

By Tripti Narain

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

shutterstock

You don't even realise what you are doing to yourself by practising some habits that are counterproductive and get in the way of achieving success at workplace. So, what is it that is hurting your productivity - is it too much work, too many distractions or the soft boundaries around you that lets in too much? Let's find out:

You can't say No

We cannot please people all the time. For most of us, saying no is extremely difficult as we want to be seen as an efficient employee, a likeable person, helpful co-worker or a perfect team player, but if you say yes to too many things, you will not be able to do them all and end up not being that efficient worker or that helpful co-worker. It is counterproductive, to say the least. Learn to say No, it is alright.

Multitasking

This keeps us busy without doing anything! Your mind is so full of work that your body actually does no work. You start to do one thing, jump to another midway, then start something else, and end up not finishing any work. This gets you tired and frustrated. Take up one task, complete it and then move to another, don't allow yourself to get distracted.

Biggest Threat to Work

Internet browsing and cell phones - particularly Facebook and WhatsApp are the biggest enemies of productivity. You quickly try to finish work to reply to a WhatsApp message or check 'likes' on your selfie post. Checking internet, browsing websites - all this is so impulsive that we don't realise how they eat up our time and we end up rushing through our work as the day nears ends.

Procrastinating

One tends to put off the most difficult work for later in the day. We like to start our day with easy work that can be done in least time. By putting off work for later there are high chances of it not getting done at all. Don't let such a situation arise, get that difficult, boring work off your back, quickly.

Compulsive digital hoarder

Do you like to keep every email and document thinking you might need it later? Saving every document takes up space on your computer and most likely you will not find 'that' important mail when you need, if your inbox is cluttered and disorganised. Respond to emails on time, don't let them pile up, delete the ones you have responded to. Keep your desktop clean, it helps increase your productivity.

Tripti Narain

Managing Editor, Entrepreneur Media (India)

A Digital enthusiast, news specialist, entertainment junkie, unsolicited opinion giver, bona fide foodie and a Delhi lover. Join me @TriptiAbhishek on Twitter

Marketing

How to Actually Get Returns in Your Marketing Efforts

The field of newsletter marketing offers a highly cost-efficient channel for achieving high ROI in promotional campaigns, thanks to new AI-powered tools that identify target audiences and track their engagement with ads, enabling the ability to optimize spend.

Franchise

These 5 Bad Habits Are Hurting Your Business — Here's How to Break Them

When you develop these negative habits, it can severely impact work performance and, because the behavior has become so routine, you may not even realize the harm you're causing. Here's how to tackle these 5 bad business habits head-on.

Business News

James Clear Explains Why the 'Two Minute Rule' Is the Key to Long-Term Habit Building

The hardest step is usually the first one, he says. So make it short.

Growing a Business

Hiring an Agency of Some Kind Is Inevitable as You Grow — These Are My Insider Recommendations For a Successful Agency Relationship.

For many entrepreneurs, hiring an agency — whether it's a PR agency, a branding agency or a sales training agency — is new ground. I've been in your shoes and I've worked on both sides; these are my suggestions to find the right agency partnership.

Side Hustle

3 Secrets to Starting a Small Business Side Hustle That Gives Your Day Job a Run for Its Money, According to People Who Did Just That — and Made Millions

Almost anyone can start a side hustle — but only those ready to level up can use it to out-earn their 9-5s.

Business News

These 'Expressive Avatar' Deepfakes From a Billion-Dollar AI Startup Look Scary Real — Here's Who's Already Using the Technology

Is that a real person or an AI clone? New technology makes it nearly impossible to tell.