Manage The Four Pillars of Productivity Like A Pro [Guide]

The four pillars of productivity are time, energy, concentration, and knowledge, each contributing to your success in different ways.

In the current unsettled political, economic and public health situation, as well as the seemingly permanent shift to the remote work model, productivity has become more important than ever. However, managing the four pillars of productivity is now more of a personal task as the physical office and face-to-face communication have come to a halt, or have severely decreased.

While some people naturally have the ability to focus and get things done, the majority of us have to actively work on it. The good news is that there are many different methods and techniques that can help you improve your productivity levels.

It’s no secret that small business owners and freelancers have a lot on their plates. Juggling multiple tasks and responsibilities can be difficult, especially when you’re trying to focus on moving your business forward under uncertain circumstances. Luckily, there are a few tricks you can use to help manage your productivity and stay on top of your work. Check out the four pillars of productivity below for some tips on how to better manage your time!

The Four Pillars of Productivity: Why Are They Necessary?

As mentioned above, the four pillars of productivity, also known as the TECK framework, are time, energy, concentration and knowledge. However, in business, you should always take strict mantras and proven strategies with a pinch of salt and keep an open mind. Rules and frameworks may apply in different ways to different companies and it is up to you to work out how to use them in your team.

1. Time Management

One of the most important aspects of productivity is time management. If you don’t manage your time wisely, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and bogged down by your to-do list. There are a few key things you can do to help manage your time more effectively:

• Set realistic goals for what you can accomplish in a day, week, or month
• Make a list of what needs to be done and prioritize your tasks
• Take breaks throughout the day to recharge and refocus
• Use a business process management tool to track projects

2. Energy Management

In order to be productive, you need to have energy. This means getting enough sleep, eating healthy meals, and staying hydrated throughout the day. It’s also important to find ways to reduce stress so you can feel your best. Some helpful tips for managing your energy levels include:

• Exercise regularly to boost your energy and mood
• Make sure you’re getting enough sleep each night
• Eat healthy foods that will give you sustained energy throughout the day
• Research energy management habits consistently and try to copy them

3. Concentration Management

It’s impossible to be productive if you can’t focus on your work. There are a few things you can do to help improve your concentration levels:

• Set aside specific times for work and stick to them
• Create a distraction-free environment where you can work uninterrupted
• Take breaks often to avoid burnout

4. Knowledge Management

The final pillar of productivity is knowledge management. In order to be productive, you need to keep up to date with industry trends and develop the skills necessary to complete your tasks. This means to never stop learning to grow in your field so you can stay ahead of the curve. 

Ways to improve your knowledge management include:

• Attending workshops, webinars, and other learning opportunities
• Reading books, articles, and blogs related to your industry
• Staying up-to-date on trends and developments in your field

Learning to manage the four pillars of productivity is important because they all contribute to your overall success. By taking the time to focus on each one, you can create a more productive and successful business.

How To Boost Productivity With The TECK Framework: 5 Steps

Based on the four pillars of productivity concept, we’ve put together several tips to manage time, energy, concentration and knowledge like a pro. Remember, it’s important to not just take them as universal rules but apply them specifically to the nature of your business and team.

Learn to Prioritize

The first thing you need to do is learn how to prioritize your tasks. This means understanding what needs to be done and when it needs to be done. You can use a tool like Asana or Trello to create a list of tasks and set deadlines. Once you have a list, you can start to prioritize your tasks by importance and urgency.

Determine Your Most Productive Hours

Not everyone is a morning person and that’s okay. The important thing is to find out when you are the most productive and use that time to get your most important work done. For some people, this means working early in the morning before the distractions of the day set in. For others, it means working late at night when the house is quiet.

Remove Distractions

Another important step in boosting productivity is to remove distractions. This means turning off your phone, closing out of social media, and anything else that might take your focus away from your work. If you need to, set up a separate workspace where you can concentrate on your task at hand.

Avoid Multi-Tasking

Multi-tasking might seem like a good way to get more done, but it actually decreases productivity. This is because your brain can only focus on one thing at a time. When you try to do too many things at once, you’ll find that you’re not doing any of them well.

Be Persistent

The final step is to be persistent. This means not giving up when things get tough and pushing through even when you don’t feel like it. Remember why you’re doing this and keep your goal in mind. If you stay focused, you’ll be able to achieve anything you set your mind to.

2 Employee Productivity Stats of 2022 & Key Takeaways

We’ve now explored the specifics of the four pillars of productivity and a few ways to boost your time, energy, concentration and knowledge management. However, this concept and strategies are evergreen and businesses can appropriate them at all times. So, we will run you through a few current productivity statistics and what you can do in response to each in 2022.

86% of Employees Prefer Working Alone

This statistic may not come as a surprise given the recent rise in remote working. However, it’s important to consider how you can provide employees with the resources they need to work effectively when they are alone. This includes things like access to relevant knowledge bases, clear task lists and communication channels.

However, syncing with other team members is fundamental for top performance and efficiency. You can’t let employees who prefer working independently to steer away from team collaboration as this could lead to delays and unhappy customers. So, promote self development but also think about initiatives to boost team communication to break the ice.

Employees Are 230% More Engaged and 85% More Likely To Stay Longer in Their Jobs if They Have Technology That Supports Them at Work

This is a huge statistic and one that should not be ignored. If you want to keep productivity levels high and reduce turnover, you need to invest in technology that will support them in their roles. This includes things like project management software like SaaS BPM, time tracking tools and employee productivity apps. In addition, make sure you research the best options for your business and budget and invest in tools that will make a real difference to your employees’ productivity.

Wrapping Up

Managing the four pillars of productivity can seem daunting, but with the right tools and advice, it’s totally doable. The TECK framework is an excellent starting point if you want to get your productivity in check. And if you need a little help boosting your employees’ productivity, take a look at the stats we shared above. They may just give you the push you need to make some changes in your workplace. What are you waiting for? Start managing your time, energy, concentration and knowledge like a pro today!