By: Ranim Elgabakhngi
Various techniques promise drastic results, ranging from strictly scheduling to working in timed sessions. However, a lot of people use these methods only to find them inefficient or even tiring. The real reason is usually not that the person lacks discipline, but that the person’s character does not match the method. What one person gets energy from, another loses the energy, so the effective productivity strategies are really closely connected to the individual’s personality traits.
Pomodoro’s Technique
Twenty-five minutes of focused work and then a break – this pattern resonates with people who are inclined to order and external timing. Such persons who are disciplined and, particularly, those who like clear limits and regular habits, employ it to push themselves through when the list of tasks grows. But someone who is indulging in deep thoughts quite quickly could be upset by these breaks, thus interrupting their thought process. The flow of creativity decreases; it even becomes more challenging to deal with hard problems.
Rigid Daily Schedules
So, you have your schedule planned down to the exact minute every morning? That kind of thing fits perfectly with people who like to know what is coming, who find comfort in a clear plan. For such people, checking boxes is energizing, structure comes naturally, and progress is plainly visible. On the contrary, some people see such a setup as too tight, even suffocating – like there is no room to breathe at all. When surprises happen, tension escalates, and frustration is just a step behind. The output goes down, not because the person is less hardworking but because a forced routine kills one’s momentum.
Early Morning Routines
Some people like to start working early to make the most of those peaceful moments before a storm of noise and activities. Their brain functions are top-notch in the morning – they are very clear, focused, and sharp. For such people, it is kind of natural to get up at dawn.
Other people are those who get energized after dark only. Such late-night thinkers are very reluctant to change their behavioral patterns if they are forced to follow a morning routine. Their energy is generated slowly in the beginning, and it reaches its peak late. It is kind of unreasonable to expect them to perform their best as early as nine in the morning.
Productivity is not a thing that can be universally applied to all people. It is the timing that determines the quality of thinking, decision-making, and work output of any person. The time that is just right is much more important than the one that is shown by the clock. Success works in a different way depending on each individual. Not every mood is illuminated by daylight. Some people shine the most under the moonlight.
Collaborative Brainstorming
When people are allowed to speak without limitation, ideas may “bounce” among them. It is a type of performance that the two or three can live without even the help of the rest of the group. Other folks communicate their thoughts better if they do it alone, without making any noise. Too much noise could be a burden for them very quickly. They prefer to write down first, take a long time before talking. Silence gives them room to express what is really important. Answering in a hurry is not a good solution for them.
What if most productivity tips are based on wrong assumptions about people’s work habits? It might not be that the individual is failing if the regular tricks used do not work, rather it is a matter of the different styles not matching.
Different time management styles were tried to find the one that really suits: some people need a routine while others can do without one; some minds require silence while others are energized by noise. People are able to adopt habits more easily when they are consistent with their ways of thinking and acting. One is not supposed to just simply copy any kind of blueprint that is highly praised by everyone to be successful – in fact, success results from adapting the method to the personality.
