Get Energized for Productivity

As I settle into my new office, and look at the mountain of work I need to catch up on, I started thinking about productivity. What better way to procrastinate from doing the tasks I really don’t want to do, like working on my expense report (sorry Neil) or unpacking those last few boxes from the move, than writing a blog about productivity? It’s no secret that different personalities have different needs when it comes to work and productivity. Since Introversion and Extraversion is all about energy, it’s a good place to start. Whether you’re an Introvert who does their best work with quiet and solitude or an Extravert who thrives on social interaction, there are ways to optimize your productivity.

If you’re an Introvert, you probably find social interactions draining and prefer to work alone. That’s totally okay! In fact, research shows that Introverts tend to be more on the creative side and self-sufficient than Extraverts. Here are some tips to boost your productivity:

1. Schedule alone time: Set aside chunks of time in your calendar to work solo. Turn off your phone, close your door, and create a distraction-free environment.
2. Use your strengths: As an Introvert, you have excellent listening and observation skills. Use these strengths to your advantage by carefully considering information and reflecting on your ideas.
3. Take breaks: Introverts tend to get overwhelmed when they’re overstimulated, so take breaks throughout the day to recharge. Take a walk, play some Candy Crush, or do something else that relaxes you.

If you’re an Extravert, you thrive on social interaction and live collaboration. Here are some tips to boost your productivity:

1. Schedule meetings: Set up meetings throughout the day to keep your energy levels up. Use your gift of gab to network and build relationships with your colleagues.
2. Collaborate: Extraverts tend to be excellent team players, so use your social skills to work with others in person, or live over Zoom.
3. Take breaks: Even Extraverts need to recharge their batteries, so take breaks throughout the day to refocus. Chat with a colleague over a cup of tea, or take in an interactive lunch and learn.

Whether you’re more Introverted or more Extraverted, remember that there’s no “right” way to be productive. It’s all about understanding your own needs and working with them to achieve your goals. So, use these tips as a starting point and experiment with different approaches until you find what works best for you. Happy productivity!

Brad Whitehorn – BA, CCDP is a lifelong introvert, and the Associate Director at CLSR Inc.  He was thrown into the career development field headfirst after completing a Communications degree in 2005, and hasn’t looked back!  Since then, Brad has worked on the development, implementation and certification for various career and personality assessments (including Personality Dimensions®), making sure that Career Development Practitioners get the right tools to best serve their clients.