When we talk about productivity strategies, we generally talk about actionable tips and tricks that allow us to complete tasks more quickly in the short-term. I read an article on the LifeHacker blog that shed light on a whole new way of thinking about productivity. The article proposed that we think about productivity in terms of “time debts” and “time assets.” In other words, is what I’m about to do going to require extra work down the line, or is it an investment that will actually save me time?
An example of a “time debt” would be sending an email that you know would require follow-up. Once you click “send,” you’re committed to reading a response, and, in many cases, responding to that response. If you don’t really need to send the email, don’t send it.
An example of a “time asset” would be setting up an FAQ on your website so that you don’t have to field so many questions from people who visit your site. This takes extra effort upfront; however, it becomes an “asset” that saves you time in perpetuity.
So, how do you put this concept into practice? Think about how your actions affect the use of your time. Invest in things that will save you time in the future and avoid things that will cost you time unnecessarily. For more on this topic, I highly recommend reading the full article.
