I read the HBR Guide to Being More Productive, part of the HBR Guide Series from Harvard Business Review. Most of it did not stick. One part did: a short quiz that sorts you into one of four types. I got Prioritiser.
Disclosure: the book link above is an Amazon affiliate link. If you buy through it, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
The Quiz
The quiz has 28 statements. You score each one from 1 to 5. Then you add up the answers for each type.
Here is how mine came out:
- Prioritiser: 24
- Visualiser: 22
- Planner: 21
- Arranger: 21
Prioritiser won, but not by much. The gap between first and last is only 3 points. I also never gave a 1 or a 5. Every answer sat between 2 and 4. So I am not one type. I am a mix, with one style leading.
What Is a Prioritiser?
Prioritisers think in a logical, analytical, fact-based way. They are critical and realistic. They look at the facts, decide what matters most, and drop the rest.
That fits me. I like to know why I am doing something before I start. If a task does not pass that test, it goes to the bottom of the list.
Six Habits I Took From the Book
Alongside the quiz, the book listed simple habits for staying productive. These are the ones I wrote down:
- Keep a regular schedule. Get up early. Get dressed, even if you work from home.
- Set clear boundaries. Know when work starts and when it ends.
- Take regular breaks. Rest is part of the work.
- Stay connected. Talk to people. Do not work alone all day.
- Celebrate your wins. Small ones count.
- Stay organised and adjust. If the system stops working, change it.
How I Use This
I am going to start getting dressed even when I work from home. I have done it a few times in the past, and I think it does help.
Waking up early is different for me. Depending on what I am working on, I am sometimes a night owl and sometimes an early bird. So I only get up early when I have a fixed meeting first thing.
Key Takeaways
- The quiz is quick, and the result is a starting point, not a label.
- My scores were close, so I use ideas from all four types.
- As a Prioritiser, I decide what matters first and cut the rest.
- The habits are simple. The hard part is doing them every day.
I share more of how I plan, create, and explore on my YouTube channel, Shall Explore. Come say hello. I will be adding more notes here, so stay tuned.