There's only so much time in a day, a year, or a life. Productivity generally refers to the ability of an individual, team, or organization to work efficiently within that time in order to maximize output.
What makes people productive?
There is no magic formula for productivity. But decades of research suggest that some people are better able to execute and be productive than others and that personality , motivation , and emotions all play a key role in how well someone is able to get things done. While some factors that drive productivity, like personality, aren’t always easy to change, those who feel naturally less productive need not despair. Anyone can take steps to increase their productivity, identify hacks and techniques that work for them, and overcome obstacles to productivity that may be in their path.
For specific strategies for improving productivity, see Increasing Productivity. To learn more about productivity hacks, see Productivity Hacks, Systems, and Techniques. To overcome common productivity pitfalls, see Obstacles to Productivity.
What motivates people to be productive?
In humans, the drive for productivity tends to be motivated by a set of overlapping natural desires. These include a desire to contribute to a group, a desire to be challenged and mentally stimulated, and a desire to fulfill basic needs such as food, shelter, and safety. Such desires could motivate someone to complete a project at work , clean the house, make dinner for loved ones, or engage in any other necessary task.
Beyond these basic needs, productive pursuits are also driven by identity and emotions; people may be motivated to complete a difficult project because it will grant social status, for instance, or because they will feel pride afterward. The desire to be perceived by others as a productive person—a highly valued trait in many cultures—may also motivate someone to get things done, even if they aren’t technically necessary for survival.
Why are some people more productive than others?
Individual differences in personality likely play a major role in how productive someone is able to be. Individuals who are higher in conscientiousness , for example, tend to be more organized, attentive to detail, and goal-directed than those who are lower in the trait, which often translates to higher productivity. Individuals who are better able to delay gratification may also be more productive than those who tend to pursue immediate rewards. External factors—such as support from others, educational attainment, and the environment —can also influence an individual to be more or less productive.
To learn more about internal and external barriers to productivity, and how to overcome them, see Obstacles to Productivity.
Are certain personality traits linked to productivity?
Yes. Conscientiousness , for example, has been linked to higher productivity in both academic and professional settings. Other related personality traits such as self-control have also been theorized to play a role. A recently proposed trait known as planfulness —characterized by someone’s tendency to develop specific plans to reach goals—may also help someone improve productivity, preliminary evidence suggests.
Explore More About Productivity
For a comprehensive understanding of productivity, read our complete guide: