We’re all desperate to be more productive. Our jobs and personal lives demand more attention and more results from us, and sometimes it seems we can’t get a handle on the burden. It may seem surprising, but empathy, which the Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines as “the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another,” can play a big role in helping you become more productive. Now I’m not saying that empathy is the only requirement for becoming more productive, but it is an essential ingredient in a productive lifestyle.

First, Admit You Have a Problem

What’s one of the greatest enemies to productivity? Distractions. We’re barraged with them every day it seems; coworkers, email, family needs, etc. There are literally thousands of potential sources for interrupting our progress. Instead of prioritizing how we respond to these distractions, we often feel the need to respond immediately, often at the expense of our current project.

While we’re often being distracted, it’s worth considering when we are the ones doing the distracting. I have this problem. When I get a great idea or have a question about something I’m working on, I immediately want to share that idea or get an answer to my question. Usually, without thinking about it, I’ll pop into my boss’ office or send an IM to a colleague. They often reply to my question and life moves along. However, if I stop to empathize with my coworker, a disturbing pattern emerges. By asking those questions or sharing ideas whenever they initially occur to me, I’m (a) interrupting my progress, and most importantly, (b) interrupting my colleague’s progress.

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Spend Your Capital Wisely

So what’s the big deal? Well, think of these interruptions as spending “goodwill capital.” Every day we have a limited amount of this capital that we should spend wisely. The more you interrupt someone else’s productivity the less likely they will be to either provide assistance or provide quality feedback; essentially, you’re losing goodwill with that person. This is especially true if they respond to the interruptions as soon as possible; by interrupting their progress and switching to another situation, the quality of their responses may suffer, and they may soon view you as a nuisance.

The Advice Column

By considering how your interactions with your coworkers can affect their productivity and willingness to help, you can improve your productivity and build better rapport at work and home. Next time you have a question or want to discuss something, consider a few changes to your approach:

  • Gather your thoughts. I’m surprised at how many times I have to ask several questions about a single topic; having several questions isn’t a problem; asking each of them at separate times during the day is a problem. Try considering all the questions you have about a project and then send a single IM or email with those questions. This minimizes the interruptions for your colleague. Instead, they receive a single notification and will hopefully respond.
  • Consider Priority. Before you send that IM or email, pause and ask yourself, “How important is this comment/question?” If it can wait or isn’t super important, put it aside until later. Often, you’ll find the answer yourself (see bullet #3) or you’ll find a better time to address the issue (during a progress meeting or during downtime).
  • Use Google. 90% of the time, before I ask my boss anything, I first use Google. There’s a wealth of information online that you can easily access. Not only will you not bother your colleague, but you’ll also benefit from the satisfaction that comes from solving a problem.

What are some other ways you can increase productivity and goodwill with your coworkers?