STILL PROCRASTINATING WORKING FROM HOME? TAKE THE TICK PERSONALITY TEST.

If you still find your attention and focus fading easily with your remote work setup, don’t be too hard on yourself. While we’re over a year into this shift, this follows many years, decades even, of working in an office.

You’re not used to having the kitchen table double as your office. Productivity fluctuations are bound to happen. Interestingly, research reveals our ability to concentrate relates to our personalities. It’s not some brain-hacking technique that you need to adopt. 

Whether you’re a manager, trainer, team or leader, it’s important to boost productivity. The pandemic has given us all a great opportunity to learn how to adapt, pivot, and shift with the current needs. 

Expect a little procrastination, right now.

Yes, the numbers around procrastination are scary. Employees spend over a quarter of their day twiddling their thumbs. Add those hours up and we’re talking a lot of wasted time. But this was when we were working in offices. Now, at home, it’s a whole new ball game.

This is why knowing the people you’re leading is more important than ever. Because it might have nothing to do with the task-at-hand, and in fact, a personality trait. For example, an inability to finish work due to perfectionism.

“I have too much on my list” is a common phrase that masks the root of the issue. Sometimes, there’s a lack of confidence, initiative or misinterpretation. See, there’s more to the procrastination puzzle. 

Psychologists say, people who don’t put things off, tend to have a conscientious personality trait. They love the preparation, completing tasks, showing attention to detail, and adhering to a set schedule. Does this deadline-chasing personality ring any bells? (The Owl).

Before we assume that only persistent, self-disciplined people can get things done, remember that procrastination is mainly due to a lack of alignment. Do the tasks they’re assigned to, match their interests and skills? Even more importantly, their personality?

Tick’s personality profiling tools can help you answer this. 

Each member of your team can learn more about their personality, strengths and weaknesses, how they work, and communicate. If there’s a Dove that’s procrastinating, maybe they’re missing that supportive environment. And that Eagle? Maybe he or she is yearning to be commanding an in-person meeting.

There’s so much more to the procrastination/productivity story than we’re led to believe. As a leader, knowing your team on a deep, intrinsic level is your greatest asset. The Tick bird types will help you lead, no matter what the ‘office’ morphs into.  

Use the four bird types to help your team create a personalised routine, re-design a dedicated workspace, discern focus vs. collaborative time, and other important elements that make remote working a success.