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Better Productivity is a Series of Aha Moments
Work productivity grows in part because of the number and frequency of “aha moments”.
Merriam-Webster says an aha moment is “a moment of sudden realization, inspiration, insight, recognition, or comprehension.” Creative folks are familiar with such moments. Productivity fanatics not nearly as much.
Managers who talk about productivity with staff probably will see their eyelids droop in boredom and disinterest. Some may even fall into a deep and peaceful sleep, which is understandable. Productivity is a terribly dry and abstract concept for many employees, but improving it is an essential and never-ending goal for any business. In time, it even benefits the employees, no matter how boring and sleep-inducing it sounds at staff meetings.
Rational versus spontaneous
Productivity improvements in many businesses are usually the result of the rational and objective analysis of a process or procedure. They begin with an abstract goal and search for a concrete answer. Unlike creative improvements for products and services, productivity improvements are rarely the result of single, sudden moments and realizations.
Instead of beginning with analysis, aha moments begin with an idea. Only then does the analysis begin. Is the task being done in the most…
