"Understanding" with Aisha

PRODUCTIVITY

Hello everyone.

Today, we begin a new series on the topic of productivity. This critical subject impacts various sectors, including organizations, educational institutions, and personal development. To begin with, I will give an overview of the topic, the causes of low productivity, ways to increase your level of productivity, study tips and lots more. Without further ado, let’s dive in.

Why this topic?

Let me first state that I am an individual passionate about making the most out of my day, resources…you name it. In that light, I want to share my view, challenges, discoveries, and some proven solutions. Also, as individuals in the academic environment, I believe that one of the major challenges that we might encounter is maximising resources e.g. time, to meet deadlines, goals and targets - all which sum up the term "productivity".

In this and the upcoming series, together, we will delve into the various factors that impact our ability to be productive. We will explore some common causes of low productivity such as poor time management, lack of motivation, poorly organised work or study space, distractions and so on. Additionally, we will take a look at practical skills and techniques to boost productivity which include efficient time management, goal setting, and ways to minimise distractions.

Furthermore, I will feature students’ opinions on how they get on with completing tasks in the most efficient way possible. For example, a student stated that her biggest challenge is keeping focus for an extended amount of time. These and many more will give a diverse perspective on what productivity means to them, how they optimize their time and ways they manage to stay productive in their academic journey. By getting these diverse opinions, I hope it gives inspiration to everyone striving to improve their productivity.

Without further delay, let’s commence on this exciting journey into the world of productivity.

What Is Productivity?

While Science of Mind (2023) defines Productivity in as the efficiency and effectiveness with which inputs are converted into outputs, IrisReading (2022), defines it in the academic context as the ability of students to manage their time efficiently, prioritise tasks effectively, and their overall input into achieving academic success. Despite the varied contexts, a common thread runs through both definitions: the ability to transform inputs into valuable outputs efficiently.

In essence, productivity is the effective and efficient use of time and resources to complete tasks, meet academic deadlines, achieve learning goals, and maintaining a balance. It involves prioritising work, staying focused, and using strategies that enhance the quality and speed of learning and assignment completion because with each tick of the clock, time moves on.

What causes low productivity?

This is a very broad aspect. For different people in various sectors, it could have several causes. For example, In the workplace, it could be caused by low motivation and engagement, interruption, unconducive workspace and so on. For this series however, we will focus on the academic aspect.

Given that productivity is a broad topic, we’ll explore some major causes of unproductivity in academic settings which include procrastination, poor time management, and ineffective study techniques.

As individuals, we often multitask, that is, we think about or do multiple activities at once. Studies have shown that a lack of productivity can stem from several factors, but two major causes are poor time management and organisational skills, as well as medical conditions e.g. ADHD and depression. In fact, according to the World Health Organisation, people with ADHD lose around 22 days in productivity each year (The ADHD Centre, 2022).

While unproductivity can be due to medical conditions, it’s also often caused by a lack of organization and poor time awareness. For students or individuals pursuing academic excellence, tackling these challenges is essential in order to:

1. Meet goals and deadlines

2. Make the most of your time

3. Feel fulfilled

4. Reduce stress levels

5. Enhanced reputation and happiness and so on.

That's all for this week, catch us next week with part two of the Productivity series.