This is Part 2 of a two-part article on the topic of sustained productivity. Specifically, how we can sustain it?
A Triangle of Relationships
We live our lives in a triangle of relationships. I am responsible towards my own growth and development. I must also understand the relationship and responsibility I have towards my relations. The relations referred to here can be parents, spouse, children etc. This is the second of the triangular corner. The third is the society. We are part of the society in many aspects - workforce, circles of friends, acquaintances etc.
In a personal capacity, peace of mind is crucial in ensuring that we are able to work effectively towards our goals and work assigned. When we are interested in the work we do, we would be happy to accept the challenges meted out to us as we continue to enjoy the growth and development required at work. With sustained discipline and proper conduct, we take on the tasks in an open and positive manner. Otherwise, one constantly chases after time and unable to handle the load of work that is given. This cumulative effect is demotivating and when it reaches a point beyond comprehension, we tend to look outward for ways and means to feel better.
In the family context, peace of mind can be disrupted due to many reasons. This also, is inevitable however one should not allow the disturbances to be carried over to workplace - otherwise one is set to crumble. It is not common that we are faced with the decision of choosing family or work. Those who have no choice will have to shoulder the burden of juggling family and career and usually there tend to be a side that is given preference thereby limiting the satisfaction derived from the lesser end. At this point there can no longer be satisfaction derived from work. One either proceed with work mechanically or one again start to look for alternatives. Note that the cause is disturbance to peace of mind, resulting in lack of clarity and focus at one's work that lowers productivity.
When we go to work in such a troubled state, we will then start to bring in externalities in an attempt to justify our less than satisfactory performance. At times like these, we give rise to much ill-thoughts such as jealousy, selfishness, grief and contempt. We begin in a frantic search for people to assure and approve our views and we engage in the grapevine. This further degrades our work performance. The present workplace is characterised by speed and the environment, chaos. It is not the environment that affect one's productivity at work. Improvement is no longer an option. Not meeting expectations at either one is a sign of incompetence....that is the harsh reality. But it does not has to be that way. One does not need to be defined by outward conditions. One is responsible for one's own productivity not the number of hours.
The Investigation
To understand the distractive factors that reduces our productivity; we consider the analysis of empiric individuality and the causal relationship of our well being.
This begins with an active awareness of our mental cognitions. Through the method of synthesis, we can understand workings of the causal relationship of our mental well being that begins with contact. Here, contact consist of 3 components:
- faculty,
- object, and
- consciousness.
We differentiate the feelings into pleasant, unpleasant and mutual.
- If the feeling is pleasant, we develop longing towards those objects that gives us pleasant feelings.
- We avoid unpleasant feelings and are deluded towards to those that we are neutral towards. In this way we develop different clinging towards different objects.
When we cling and attach to some objects and become deeply involved in certain objects. When our process of involvement is interrupted we generate various mental agitation such as anger, ill-will, etc. We develop these mental because we are interrupted from continuously attaining pleasure. These leads to developing stress. As a result, our productivity levels are reduced.
We must realise the importance of voluntary actions and develop clarity towards that which cause a positive and and those that generates pleasant and unpleasant feelings in us. If we further consider those values, we realise the causes and conditions that lead us to them. Also, there is a direct relation between observed actions and mental peace.
When we are able to establish mindfulness, we can contemplate on the things which are needed to study. that includes our inner imperfections. then we can clearly comprehend different situations and our inner temperaments and the causes and conditions and those disturbing our focus of attention to complete our work.
When we attain the skill of comprehension/comprehending the inner feeling and experiences, we gain wisdom to avoid the unnecessary actions. These actions are attachment and clinging that are not necessary to complete the task or achieve the goal. So in order to attain peace of mind, mindfulness, awareness, skill of contemplation or skill of comprehending the things as it is i.e. active listening to and active questioning ourselves.
In order to be sustainably productive, it is inherent that we adopt a set of conduct that gives us peace of mind. We need to be aware of our inner well-being and the internal experience that we develop in our interactions with the external society. When there is peace of mind, we can the focus on the completion of our tasks and through sustained effort, productivity can be sustainable.
This requires that we not only develop awareness about how we react both internally and externally. It also requires the skills to be able to discern what is conducive and what is not conducive to our productivity.
Only when that is achieved can we have a chance at sustaining our productivity.