10 Time-Wasters That Successful People Always Avoid

Imagine for a second that you are completely in control of the situation. You are making quick work of everything on your to-do list, your productivity is through the sky, and you have a fantastic sensation of being on top of the world.

It’s not a figment of your imagination. This is the area in which highly productive individuals live each and every day!

And what is the mystery? To tell you the truth, it is not so much about what they do as it is about what they do not do.

Continue reading this article if you are prepared to shake up your routine and live the most productive life possible.

Here is a list of the top ten ways in which individuals who are extremely productive never squander their time.

1. There are too many gatherings

You know those meetings that seem to go on forever, and a day that you attend them seems like it’s being sucked dry? People who are very productive, on the other hand, steer clear of them.

They are aware that the majority of meetings may be simply conducted by a brief phone call or email instead.

In fact, studies have shown that the typical office worker spends more than 31 hours a month in meetings, of which researchers have determined that half of that time is wasted and unproductive. Just think of all you’d be able to do if you had that much additional time.

When highly productive individuals are required to attend a meeting, they make every effort to ensure that it is brief, that its purpose is obvious, and that it has a definite agenda. This allows them to go back to their job in the shortest amount of time feasible.

Ask yourself this question whenever you get an invitation to a meeting: “Is this really necessary?” Is it possible that a brief phone call or email may do the same thing? If you decide that the answer to that question is yes, you should probably rethink attending that meeting. Do not squander this valuable resource by wasting time.

2. Performing a large number of tasks all at once

The ability to multitask is not a superpower, which is a misconception that has to be debunked right now. In fact, the situation is just the opposite.

People who give the impression that they are juggling many tasks at once are often less productive than those who concentrate on a single activity at a time.

People who are very productive are aware of this fact. They are aware that our brains were not developed to be able to do many things at the same time. When we strive to be good at a lot of different things at once, we wind up being bad at all of them.

They instead organize their jobs in a prioritized manner and go through each one in turn.

They give each assignment the complete and undivided focus that it requires, which results in higher-quality work and lower levels of stress. Working smarter, not harder, is the key to success in this endeavor.

When you find yourself having to juggle a million different tasks at once, it is important to keep in mind that it is preferable to do one task very well than a number of tasks inadequately. Take a deep breath, focus on one job at a time, and give it your very best effort!

3. holding off till a later time

We are all familiar with the feeling of procrastination. When I had a major assignment hanging over my head, I kept saying to myself, “I’ll start tomorrow.” Looking back, I see it was a mistake.

Naturally, tomorrow came and went, and before I knew it, the due date was becoming closer. The level of tension was unmanageable, and as a direct consequence, the quality of my job decreased significantly.

People who are really productive don’t waste their time with games like that. They are aware that saying “later” may often lead to saying “never” or having to rush at the last minute.

They don’t put things off, but instead attack them head-on as soon as they can.

They take large tasks and break them down into smaller, more manageable pieces, and they make consistent progress each day.

What is the result? They will experience less stress, improve their job, and feel more satisfied knowing that they are on top of things. Now, I do my best to conduct my life according to this philosophy.

Although I acknowledge that it is appealing to put things off until a later time, the lesson that I have had to learn the hard way is that it is best to simply get started.

When you feel the urge to put things off until later, remind yourself that the sooner you start, the sooner you’ll be finished!

4. Being negative

Have you ever considered that being around negative people might really sap your energy?

Simply spending ten minutes in the company of a pessimist may have a major impact on your energy levels. On the other hand, spending only ten minutes in the company of a happy person has the opposite impact and actually gives you more energy.

People who are very productive are well aware of this truth. They go out of their way to steer clear of negative influences and instead surround themselves with upbeat and supportive people.

They are aware that having a good mental attitude makes it easier to solve problems, stimulates greater creativity, and eventually results in increased levels of production.

If you are having difficulty dealing with the unfavorable aspects of your life, it is possible that you need to make some adjustments. Find people that have a positive effect on you, keep your attention on the things that are going well, and watch how much more productive you become.

5. Striking for absolute excellence

The pursuit of perfection is a trap that many of us are susceptible to falling into. We believe that our efforts will only be worthwhile if we are able to achieve perfection in all aspects of our job.

However, there is one important point to keep in mind: perfection is an illusion. It is impossible to get, and attempts to do so often result in tension, exhaustion, and sometimes even failure.

People who are very productive are aware of this fact. They are aware that striving for perfection is like running on a treadmill; you put in a lot of effort, but you don’t truly go any farther.

They don’t aim for perfection; rather, they strive for excellence in whatever they do. They put in their best effort, reflect on and grow from their failures, and go on anyway.

There is a certain beauty in having flaws or deficiencies. It demonstrates that you are a human being, that you are making an effort, and most significantly, that you are maturing.

Keep in mind that getting something done is more important than making it perfect the next time you find yourself preoccupied with making something perfect. Give it your all, then let it go, and you’ll be amazed at how much more you can accomplish.

6. Being a sloppy person

When I was younger, I used to be the kind of person who would have stacks of documents on their desk along with a to-do list that was disorganized all over the place.

I simply assumed that it was a natural part of the creative process. However, at that point, I had an epiphany: my disorganization was costing me time and giving me worry.

People who are very productive are aware of the need for organization. They are aware of the correlation between a messy desk and a busy mind. They maintain order at their workstations and carefully plan out their timetables.

They are able to quickly identify what they need and are aware of the precise tasks that they should be focusing on as a result.

After I came to this conclusion, I resolved to make a concerted effort to always keep my working environment tidy and to maintain an orderly routine.

And you are aware of what? It had a significant impact on the outcome! I was able to concentrate better, work more effectively, and experience less stress as a result of these improvements.

Take some time to become organized if the papers on your desk are piled up like mountains or if your schedule is a complete and utter muddle. Believe me, the wait will be worth it!

7. Mindless browsing on social media sites

The use of social media may easily consume large amounts of one’s time. In just a moment, you’re going to look at a brief notice. The next thing you know, you’re buried deep inside the vacation images from 2012 that were taken by your cousin’s friend’s sister, and you have no idea how you got there!

People who are very productive are fully aware of this fact. They are aware that, although using social media doesn’t automatically have any negative effects, it may become a problem when it begins eating up time that might be spent on activities that are more useful.

Because of this, they establish limits. They restrict the amount of time they spend on social media to certain periods of the day or use it as a reward for when they finish a job.

I get what you mean. The allure of social media is powerful, and the fear of missing out is a very real phenomenon. However, at the end of the day, those hours that you wasted scrolling idly are hours that you will never get back.

Before picking up your phone, you should probably ask yourself whether you are making the most of the time you have right now.

8. Being subjected to scathing criticism

When we get negative feedback, it may greatly hamper both our ability to problem-solve and our creative talents. Not only can critical remarks be injurious to our feelings, but they may also be detrimental to our performance.

People who are very productive are aware of this fact. They have developed the ability to ignore criticism that is both unwarranted and unconstructive.

This does not imply that they are immune to criticism in any form; just the contrary. They regard constructive criticism highly and use it as a method for personal development and advancement.

But what about those cruel and nasty remarks that have no other function except to drag someone else down? They don’t give them any more consideration at all.

There is a spectrum of quality in critique. Figure out how to differentiate between information that is useful and information that is not. Your output will be grateful to you in the long run.

9. Ignoring the condition of their health

I am ashamed to say that I used to be one of those individuals who would forego getting enough sleep in order to do more. I deluded myself into thinking that I was doing something, but in truth, all I was doing was exhausting myself.

My job worsened as a direct consequence of my being exhausted and unable to concentrate on it.

People who are exceptionally prolific are aware that taking care of their health is not a luxury; rather, it is an integral component of being creative.

They are aware of the need to maintain a healthy body in order to have a creative mind. Because of this, they prioritize fitting in regular exercise, ensuring they eat well and get sufficient rest, and scheduling their time accordingly.

My productivity has increased significantly ever since I made improving my health a top priority. I attribute this to the fact that I feel so much better. I have more energy, I can concentrate better, and I am able to get more done in the same amount of time.

In the name of increased productivity, if you’ve been cutting down on sleep or subsisting on junk food, it’s possible that it’s time for a change. If you take care of your body, you will find that your productivity increases as a result.

10. Failing to establish priorities

This was a challenging life lesson for me to figure out. When I first started working through my to-do list, I didn’t have much of a game plan. I would go quickly from one task to the next, under the impression that I was making significant progress. What’s the truth? I was going nowhere fast and simply spinning my wheels.

People who are very productive are more knowledgeable. They are aware of the significance of setting priorities. They choose the activities that will have the most significant influence, and they focus their efforts there first. What about the less vital details? It is not urgent.

As soon as I began putting things in order of importance, I became aware that not everything on my list of things to accomplish was an absolute must. There were certain duties that were much more vital than others. Because I concentrated on completing these specific tasks, I was able to make significant headway and significantly increase the amount of work I got done.

Take a step back and reassess the situation if your list of things to accomplish is making you feel overwhelmed. Which chores should be prioritized the most? Keep your attention on them, and the rest will take care of itself.