2024 Common Productivity Mistakes

As the year draws to a close, I’ve noticed some common mistakes and patterns among clients that often hinder their ability to achieve their goals.

I'd like to share them with you, so if you celebrate the occasion, consider it an early Christmas present, and look out for them in your business.

Underestimating Time: We often misjudge how long tasks will take, especially when they’re new. This leads to disappointment and self-blame when we don’t finish on time, making it harder to keep going.
• Why? We’re optimistic by nature. We don’t account for the time needed to learn and research. We allot just an hour to complete something, even if it requires much more.

Lack of Detailed Planning: We set business goals and think about what’s involved, but we often don’t break them down into actionable steps.
• Why? We may not know the steps right away and feel confused. Going granular can be tedious or even scary, so we avoid it, leading to overwhelm.

Unrealistic Expectations: We frequently overestimate what we can accomplish, cramming our schedules to the point where they become unmanageable.
• Why? We get tunnel vision, focusing only on the goal and forgetting that we need rest and downtime. We don’t plan for interruptions like illness, expecting ourselves to push through no matter what.

Recognising these patterns is the first step toward change.

By adjusting your approach, you can set yourself up for success. Instead of pushing yourself to the brink, focus on realistic planning and allow room for flexibility.