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http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/9-toxic-habits-that-kill-your-motivation.html
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/20-unproductive-habits-you-should-let.html
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/20-unproductive-habits-you-should-let.html
To Do versus Not to do:
用篇翻兩邊 做 勿做
Do
you feel like everyone around you is getting stuff done, and you’re,
well, not? It’s likely you’ve got one (or several) unproductive habits
that aren’t helping matters. Below is a round-up of 20 common
unproductive habits you should let go of, stat.
1. Allowing distractions.
Distractions
are something we all face–but there’s no law saying you have to cater
to them. Just because someone calls, texts, or knocks on your door
doesn’t mean you have to drop what you’re doing right that second. You
can get back to them during your next break.
2. Not setting goals.
Until
you turn what you want into concrete goals to achieve, it’s likely
they’ll remain a vague generalization you’ll sigh about from time to
time.
3. Setting too many goals.
On
the flip side, you don’t want to set so many goals you’re unable to
focus a solid amount of time on them–this sorta defeats the purpose.
Quality over quantity always wins out.
4. Procrastinating.
The
more you put something off, the less you’re going to feel like doing
it. Trust me: the relief you feel once it’s done is well worth the
temporary torture.
5. Watching too much television.
If you feel more connected to the characters on your shows than your real friends, it might be time to switch things up a bit.
6. Skipping meals.
There
were days I’d get so into what I was writing, I’d forget to eat! (Gasp!
I know, right?) Without proper nutrition you send your adrenal glands
into overdrive, which depletes your energy and eventually leads to
burn-out.
7. Spending recklessly.
When
your finances are in disarray, you don’t stand a chance. Keeping your
finances organized should be as much a priority as your health.
8. Dropping everything for other people.
You are in complete control of your life. Respect your time–it’s your most valuable commodity.
9. Not writing anything down.
Writing
things down helps you remember what you need (and want) to accomplish.
Plus, it’s the best way to keep your mind clear to focus on what you’re
doing in the moment.
10. Not having structure.
You
don’t need to set a rigid schedule for yourself, Sergeant Crazy!
Creating a general morning and evening routine will give you creative
pillars to depend on so you can take more risks throughout the day.
11. Not taking breaks.
Your
mind and body need a chance to rest, no matter how brief. When you
start feeling restless, take a small breather to regroup instead of
burning out entirely.
12. Multitasking.
Again
and again, studies show dividing your focus leads to lower quality
work, and not to mention, loads of mental stress. Single-tasking not
only gives your noggin a rest, it also gives you a greater sense of
accomplishment.
13. Making time for personal tasks.
What’s
the point of working hard if you’re not reaping the rewards in your
personal life? During busier times, at least make sure the bare minimum
is taken care of–bill paying, dish cleaning, laundry doing–so your home
doesn’t represent your stress level.
14. Over-committing.
Ambition
or excitement can too easily get the best of you, causing you to say,
“Yes!” to every idea thrown at you. Instead, say “I’ll get back to you.”
This will give you time to look over your obligations to see if you
really
do have the time.
15. Trying to be perfect.
Ah,
the dreaded unicorn: perfection. We know it doesn’t exist, yet we still
agonize over every little detail, wasting time that should be spent on
more important tasks. We should really just stop it.
16. Avoiding decisions.
Tough decisions are,you know, tough. But if you don’t make them, someone or something will make the decision for you.
17. Consuming unnecessary information.
I
find mental clutter to be more overwhelming than physical clutter.
Learn the power of one: one email address, one checking account, one
savings account. Cut back on the mailing lists you subscribe to so you
can focus on what’s really important.
18. Neglecting your health.
Your
ambition’s useless when you’re exhausted. Eat healthy foods, exercise
regularly, and most importantly, do everything you can to create a
consistent sleep pattern.
19. Starting something and not finishing it.
Break
every project you’re working on into such small pieces you’re not
intimidated by the process of finishing the task. The last 10 percent of
the task will always take 90 percent of your energy, so make it count!
20. Failing to admit your mistakes.
Denying
your mistakes or blaming others for your problems will do nothing to
improve your life or help you reach your goals. Acknowledge your
mistakes so that you can learn from them and move on.
What’s your strategy for kicking unproductive habits to the curb?
Ready to become a productive member of society? The 8 Habits of Highly Productive People
Featured photo credit: Wherever. Whatever. Have a nice day.via Flickr
