Working in hotels now for my entire career, I have worked together with many talented people who simply spent too many hours at the hotel trying to get things done – I am talking 16 hours every day. Granted, if you choose a career in hospitality, you’ll always have a somewhat interesting schedule, need to be flexible with shifts and days-off, and work extra hours, but to what extend are those extra hours every day really necessary, and when do we stop being productive?

Busy does not equal productive, and you’ll find that most people who are trying to add too many things to their to-do list and because of it work too many hours, actually accomplish less. They’re also more likely to get drained and run out of passion, and cannot be at their best anymore when it really matters.

Try to plan ahead for what you really need to get to done the next day, the next week, to meet your goals, and then set stretch, but always realistic, targets. Be very clear on your three key priorities for each day, which when accomplished, will really make an impact and move you closer to your goal.

We are always tempted to do all the things that we believe would be good for our business, when it’s really about knowing the difference between what’s just good and what’s really great. Only then can you  do less of what’s good, and focus all your attention on what’s great – and it’s the great stuff that really moves the needle and makes a difference.

So are you just busy or really productive? See below what busy people do, and what productive people do – which one are you?

1. Busy people have many priorities. Productive people have few priorities
2. Busy people say yes quickly. Productive people say yes slowly
3. Busy people keep all doors open. Productive people close doors
4. Busy people talk about how busy they are. Productive people let their results do the talking
5. Busy people talk about how little time they have. Productive people make time for what is important
6. Busy people multitask. Productive people focus
7. Busy people respond quickly to emails. Productive people take their time
8. Busy people want other people to be busy. Productive people want others to be effective
9. Busy people talk about how they will change. Productive people are making those changes.

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