Why Top Performers Move Slow (While Everyone Rushes) Speed kills progress. Rushing creates mistakes. The elite know better. They move deliberately. They think deeply. They win consistently. Here's how to join them: 1. Double Your Deadlines ↳ Your time estimates are wrong. Always. ↳ Stop rushing through work. Quality needs space to breathe. 💡 Key Insight: Margin creates mastery. 2. The 85% Rule ↳ Stop glorifying burnout. It's not a badge of honor. ↳ Work at 85% capacity. Leave room for sustainability. ↳ Elite athletes know this secret: Sustained output beats sprints. 💡 Key Insight: Consistent performance beats heroic bursts. 3. Build a "Don't-Do" List ↳ Most tasks are noise. Cut them ruthlessly. ↳ Block distractions before noon. Protect your best hours. ↳ Say no to everything that doesn't drive real progress. 💡 Key Insight: Defense wins the game. 4. Walk Slowly ↳ Skip the rush. Walk everywhere you can. ↳ Let your mind wander. Ideas need space to grow. ↳ Break from digital chaos. Reset your brain. 💡 Key Insight: Movement creates mental clarity. 5. Kill Multitasking ↳ Focus on one thing. Give it everything. ↳ Close extra tabs. Clear your visual space. ↳ Task-switching kills productivity. Stay in sniper mode. 💡 Key Insight: Single-tasking is your superpower. 6. Schedule Empty Time ↳ Block white space in your calendar. Make it non-negotiable. ↳ Let your mind reset. Creativity needs space. ↳ Empty time isn't wasted time. It's strategic recovery. 💡 Key Insight: Blank space creates breakthrough thoughts. 7. Cook to Build Focus ↳ Use cooking as attention training. No phones allowed. ↳ Follow recipes precisely. Build execution discipline. ↳ Stay present with each step. Your focus will grow. 💡 Key Insight: Simple tasks build complex skills. 8. Learn Like a Turtle ↳ Break topics into tiny pieces. Master each one. ↳ Use 25-minute focus blocks. Then reflect and review. ↳ Teach what you learn. It cements understanding. 💡 Key Insight: Deep learning beats surface skimming. 9. Delay Gratification ↳ Quick wins are traps. Real success compounds slowly. ↳ Build boring foundations. They support massive results. ↳ Think in years, not days. Play the long game. 💡 Key Insight: Patience is a tactical advantage. 10. Focus With Force ↳ Pick 1-3 leverage points. Ignore everything else. ↳ Excellence requires elimination. Cut good to achieve great. ↳ Go deep, not wide. Mastery beats variety. 💡 Key Insight: Impact comes from depth, not breadth. 11. Embrace Imperfection ↳ Let some areas stay messy. Focus on what matters most. ↳ Trust the process. Progress isn't linear. ↳ Stop tweaking everything. Give systems time to work. 💡 Key Insight: Perfect is the enemy of progress. Remember: Speed is overrated. Focus is undefeated. Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast. Which slow habit will you start today? ♻️ Repost if this resonated with you! 🔖 Follow me for more.
Performance Improvement Strategies
Explore top LinkedIn content from expert professionals.
Summary
Performance improvement strategies focus on enhancing productivity, efficiency, and quality in personal or professional tasks by optimizing processes and habits. By adopting intentional approaches, individuals and organizations can achieve sustained growth and impactful results.
- Prioritize with precision: Evaluate tasks to determine which have the highest impact and focus your efforts on those, eliminating unnecessary or low-value activities.
- Schedule focused time: Block dedicated periods for high-concentration tasks, free from distractions, to increase output and creativity.
- Build sustainable rhythms: Incorporate regular breaks, energy management techniques, and realistic deadlines to maintain consistency over time.
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Step-by-Step Guide to Measuring & Enhancing GCC Productivity - Define it, measure it, improve it, and scale it. Most companies set up Global Capability Centers (GCCs) for efficiency, speed, and innovation—but few have a clear playbook to measure and improve productivity. Here’s a 7-step framework to get you started: 1. Define Productivity for Your GCC Productivity means different things across industries. Is it faster delivery, cost reduction, innovation, or business impact? Pro tip: Avoid vanity metrics. Focus on outcomes aligned with enterprise goals. Example: A retail GCC might define productivity as “software features that boost e-commerce conversion by 10%.” 2. Select the Right Metrics Use frameworks like DORA and SPACE. A mix of speed, quality, and satisfaction metrics works best. Core metrics to consider: • Deployment Frequency • Lead Time for Change • Change Failure Rate • Time to Restore Service • Developer Satisfaction • Business Impact Metrics Tip: Tools like GitHub, Jira, and OpsLevel can automate data collection. 3. Establish a Baseline Track metrics over 2–3 months. Don’t rush to judge performance—account for ramp-up time. Benchmark against industry standards (e.g., DORA elite performers deploy daily with <1% failure). 4. Identify & Fix Roadblocks Use data + developer feedback. Common issues include slow CI/CD, knowledge silos, and low morale. Fixes: • Automate pipelines • Create shared documentation • Protect developer “focus time” 5. Leverage Technology & AI Tools like GitHub Copilot, generative AI for testing, and cloud platforms can cut dev time and boost quality. Example: Using AI in code reviews can reduce cycles by 20%. 6. Foster a Culture of Continuous Improvement This isn’t a one-time initiative. Review metrics monthly. Celebrate wins. Encourage experimentation. Involve devs in decision-making. Align incentives with outcomes. 7. Scale Across All Locations Standardize what works. Share best practices. Adapt for local strengths. Example: Replicate a high-performing CI/CD pipeline across locations for consistent deployment frequency. Bottom line: Productivity is not just about output. It’s about value. Zinnov Dipanwita Ghosh Namita Adavi ieswariya k Karthik Padmanabhan Amita Goyal Amaresh N. Sagar Kulkarni Hani Mukhey Komal Shah Rohit Nair Mohammed Faraz Khan
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As an Engineering Manager or Software Engineer, your brain is your greatest asset. Here's how to keep it sharp, not shredded: 𝟭/ 𝗥𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Start by slashing your to-do list. If it’s not moving the needle, it’s moving you backward. Adopt the 80/20 rule: 20% of your actions drive 80% of your results. Identify those actions. Focus there. Relentlessly. 𝟮/ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 Carve your day into power blocks. Three hours in the morning. Two in the afternoon. During these blocks, your only job is to produce your highest value work. No emails. No calls. Pure, undiluted focus. 𝟯/ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗟𝗮𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 Yes, laziness - but make it strategic. Schedule your downtime. Your brain isn’t wired to go full-throttle 24/7. It needs rest to process and recharge. Take a walk. Meditate. Nap. High performance isn’t a sprint; it’s a well-paced marathon. 𝟰/ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝘄𝗼-𝗠𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝘂𝗹𝗲 If a task takes less than two minutes, do it immediately. This simple rule keeps small tasks from piling up and turning into mental clutter. Keep your mind clear for the big plays. 𝟱/ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗽 Dedicate 30 minutes daily to learning. Read. Listen. Watch. High performers are perpetual students. Oh and remember, Knowledge X Action = Power. 𝟲/ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 End your day with 10 minutes of reflection. What worked? What didn’t? High performance is about constant iteration. You can’t improve what you don’t measure. 𝟳/ 𝗦𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗣𝗿𝗼 Lastly, and most importantly, prioritize sleep. Your brain’s ability to problem-solve, innovate, and think critically is directly tied to your sleep quality. It’s not a luxury; it’s a necessity. 7-9 hours (Non-negotiable) 𝗜𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: The goal is not to be busy but to be impactful. Redefine your routine, redefine your life. --- Repost if you found this useful. Thank you.
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Time is what we want most, but what we use worst. Years ago, I thought time management was: ↳ Making to-do lists, ↳ Planning everything on a schedule, ↳ And still not getting everything done. But I learned the hard way: It’s not about doing more, it’s about doing it right. Here are 12 game-changing strategies: (that truly transformed my productivity) 1/ Anti-To-Do List: Track what not to do (low-value tasks or habits that waste time). 2/ The Rule of Three: Instead of endless task lists, set just 3 key priorities per day. 3/ Time-Stamped Planning: Estimate time for each task, so your schedule isn’t just a wish list. 4/ Switching Tax Awareness: Switching between tasks can cost up to 40% of your productivity—minimize it. 5/ Waiting Time Hack: Use waiting in line or commuting for micro-tasks (replying to emails or listening to audiobooks). 6/ 90-Min Deep Work Cycle: Your brain works best in 90-minute focus sprints followed by breaks. 7/ Day Theming: Assign specific tasks to certain days (e.g., Mondays for planning, Fridays for networking). 8/ Set Hard Stops: Decide when work must end to prevent overworking and force efficiency. 9/ Productive Boredom: Allow quiet time for creative thinking (no phone, no music). 10/ Just Start Rule: When procrastinating, commit to just 2 minutes of a task—momentum usually follows. 11/ Multiplier Tasks: Some tasks (automating a workflow or hiring the right person) save you time forever. 12/ Manage Energy, Not Just Time: Track when you’re naturally most focused and schedule deep work. Time is the only resource you can’t get back. Manage it wisely. ♻️ Share this with your network. ☝️ For more valuable insights, follow me, Victoria Repa.
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6 proven techniques to increase productivity, And reclaim your time: This sheet highlights the ↳What ↳When ↳Why ↳And how So you can start putting these to work today: 1) Eisenhower Matrix What it is - A system to prioritize When to use it - You feel busywork is keeping you from "real" work Why it works - The least important tasks keep rising to the top because they're the easiest How to use it - Sort your tasks into quadrants: ↳Important and urgent: do it now ↳Important but less urgent: schedule it ↳Not important but urgent: delegate it ↳Not important and not urgent: delete it 2) 80/20 Rule What - A rule for focusing only on the most impactful work When - You feel over-capacity, and you need to cut things Why - 80% of outcomes come from 20% of causes, and then results diminish quickly after that How - Focus on just the most critical 20%: ↳20% of effort → 80% of results ↳20% of products → 80% of sales ↳20% of habits → 80% of impact ↳20% of innovations → 80% of growth 3) 1-3-5 Method What - A tool for simplifying your to-do list so you can actually complete it When - Your list is never-ending, and it's hard to know what to tackle Why - In reality, committing to work on less lets you finish more How - The night before or morning of, choose for the day just: ↳1 key project (only 1!) ↳3 medium items ↳5 smaller items ↳Leave everything else off 4) Eat Your Frog What - A commitment to do your most critical item first When - You keep putting off an important (but scary or intimidating) task Why - Doing it likely won’t be as bad as you thought, and it builds momentum How - Follow these 4 simple steps: ↳Identify the big task you're avoiding ↳Schedule time for it early in the day ↳Eat your frog: actually complete the task ↳Celebrate an early win and progress 5) Deep Work What - A block of distraction-free time to work on a key item When - You constantly get interrupted and can't focus Why - Multitasking doesn't work - you dramatically increase productivity by focusing on just one thing How - Create a deep work environment: ↳Schedule a block on your calendar ↳Put away your phone, exit your email, close Slack, shut the door ↳Focus on just 1 task for at least an hour (and preferably 2 to 3) 6) Pomodoro Technique What - A style of working in intervals When - Your feel your energy fade over time or your work seems too big Why - Short bursts paired with breaks keeps your energy and productivity up How - Alternate medium work, short break: ↳Typical: work for 25 minutes, break for 5 ↳Experiment to find what’s best for you ↳Your break should be restful (breathing, time outside) not staring at your phone or answering email The most productive people you know aren't superhuman, They're simply using these strategies. Put these to work, And you'll soon get much more done AND have more time. Any you'd add to this list? --- ♻️ Repost to help your network reclaim their time. And follow me George Stern for more productivity content
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Optimizing API Performance: 5 Key Strategies for Modern Architectures As APIs become the backbone of digital ecosystems, their performance directly impacts user experience and business outcomes. Here are five crucial strategies to enhance API performance: 1. Effective Caching • Implement caching at multiple levels: client, CDN, and server • Use cache invalidation strategies to ensure data freshness • Consider specialized caching solutions for complex data structures • Key benefit: Reduced latency and server load 2. Intelligent Load Balancing • Distribute requests across multiple servers to prevent bottlenecks • Implement health checks to route traffic to healthy instances • Use algorithms like least connections or weighted round-robin • Key benefit: Improved scalability and reliability 3. Asynchronous Processing • Offload time-consuming tasks to background workers • Use message queues to manage asynchronous job processing • Implement webhooks for efficient client notifications • Key benefit: Enhanced responsiveness for long-running operations 4. Efficient Pagination • Limit result set sizes to manage large data volumes • Implement cursor-based pagination for better performance with large datasets • Provide clear navigation links in API responses • Key benefit: Improved response times and reduced resource usage 5. Connection Pooling • Reuse database connections to reduce overhead • Configure pool sizes based on workload patterns • Monitor and adjust pool settings for optimal performance • Key benefit: Increased throughput and reduced latency Implementing these strategies requires careful consideration of your specific use case, infrastructure, and scalability needs. Regular performance testing and monitoring are crucial to ensure these optimizations are effective and to identify areas for further improvement. What challenges have you faced in API performance optimization? Have you found other strategies particularly effective in your projects? Share your experiences and let's discuss best practices for building high-performance APIs. Video Credit - System Design Codex
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Stop measuring "productivity" and start measuring flow! Most manufacturing metrics focus on productivity - how busy people and machines are. But being busy doesn't mean you're creating value. In fact, maximizing resource utilization often destroys flow and hurts overall performance. Here are 5 flow metrics that matter more than productivity: 1/ Lead Time ➟ How long does it take for material to move from start to finish? ↳ This is the single most important indicator of your process health. 2/ First-Time Quality ➟ What percentage of work is completed correctly the first time? ↳ Rework is the invisible flow killer in most operations. 3/ WIP Levels ➟ How much material is sitting between process steps? ↳ Lower WIP = faster flow and fewer hidden problems. 4/ Takt Adherence ➟ Are you producing at the rate of customer demand? ↳ Neither too fast nor too slow - just in time. 5/ Response Time ➟ How quickly can you detect and resolve abnormalities? ↳ Fast response prevents minor issues from becoming major disruptions. Implementation steps: Step 1: Make these 5 metrics visible in your area Step 2: Reduce batch sizes to improve flow (even if it seems "less efficient") Step 3: Focus improvement efforts on removing flow barriers, not keeping resources busy Remember: A process at 70% utilization with perfect flow will outperform a 95% utilized process with poor flow every single time! --- Follow me Angad S. for more!
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Delete your to-do list. My clients use this instead: The 5-25-5 Productivity Stack Elite performers don't manage time. They stack it. (Save this 5-25-5 Method) After coaching 200+ executives, here's what actually works: 1/ The Power Preview (5 mins) ↳ Rate your energy level (1-10) ↳ List your top 3 priorities ↳ Stack similar tasks together ↳ Pick ONE breakthrough move → 25% daily productivity improvement 2/ The Focus Lock (25 mins) ↳ Clear all notifications ↳ Set a non-negotiable timer ↳ Attack your biggest priority ↳ Use pressure as fuel → 46% reduction in daily distractions 3/ The Strategic Close (5 mins) ↳ Review what got done ↳ Stack tomorrow's tasks ↳ Schedule your next block ↳ Celebrate small wins → Save an average of 498 hours per year 4/ The Stack Multiplier ↳ Start with ONE block before 11am ↳ Protect it like a board meeting ↳ Stack blocks as you build momentum ↳ Reset timer if interrupted → 30% faster decision-making 5/ The Reality Check ↳ Progress beats perfection ↳ Energy management > time management ↳ Small wins compound ↳ Systems beat willpower → Target 85% effort for productivity balance Reality check: You don't need more time. You need better systems. Which tip will you implement tomorrow? 🔖 Save this productivity stack 🎯 Follow me (Loren) for more on leadership, workplace culture, and personal growth. ♻️ Share with to help others thrive
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Context switching—jumping between tasks—can severely impact our productivity and effectiveness. This might be contrary to many other viewpoints. Research shows it takes about 23 minutes to regain full focus after an interruption (read the paper here - https://lnkd.in/g2GNqTwe ) Over a day, these switches add up, causing stress, increasing errors, and reducing overall quality of work. So, how might we resolve the effects of context switching and improve performance? here are a few tips from my hands on #industrialDesign workspace experiences 1) Set clear team protocols on what qualifies as urgent and establish rules around when to interrupt. 2) Implement visual indicators like "Do Not Disturb" signs or status updates to signal deep work periods. 3) Use machines / task management tools and automation to reduce manual workload and keep focus intact. 4) Dedicate specific times for uninterrupted focus on complex tasks, reserving lighter tasks for less productive periods. 5) Incorporate scheduled breaks to refresh focus without disrupting the workflow. Was this helpful? let me know. #Productivity #WorkplaceStrategy #DeepWork #Efficiency #Leadership #DesignThinking #TeamDynamics
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How I get more sh*t done before you have your AM coffee It's not working longer hours. It's brain science. People ask how I maintain such high output While staying calm. The secret? I sync my work to my brain's natural peaks. Science says the 52/17 rule is golden for peak performance. Your brain needs strategic breaks to maintain high output. To ensure those cognitive circuits... Are firing like a Formula 1 engine... You need to work with your natural rhythm. Here's how to hack your 12 peak performance windows: 1/ Morning Power Hour ↳ Cortisol peaks an hour after waking ↳ Schedule your hardest task then 2/ Attention Architecture ↳ The brain processes complex data better before noon ↳ Front-load strategic work before lunch 3/ Energy Management ↳ ATP (brain fuel) peaks in 52-minute cycles ↳ Use a timer for focused sprints 4/ Decision Windows ↳ Decision fatigue sets in after 3-4 hours ↳ Make key choices before 11am 5/ Creative Peaks ↳ Alpha brain waves surge during breaks ↳ Take 17-minute recharge periods 6/ Memory Optimization ↳ Information retention peaks in the morning (for me) ↳ Schedule learning during this window 7/ Communication Sweet Spots ↳ Social processing peaks mid-morning ↳ Book important meetings 10-11am 8/ Focus Enhancement ↳ Deep work capacity maxes at 4 hours daily ↳ Split into 2 x 2-hour blocks 9/ Recovery Rhythms ↳ The 2:55pm slump is biological ↳ Schedule light tasks for this time 10/ Evening Clarity ↳ Beta waves increase around 4-6pm ↳ Use this time for planning 11/ Temperature Timing ↳ Brain temp peaks impact cognitive performance ↳ Match complex work to your body temp peak 12/ Sleep Alignment ↳ REM sleep preps the brain for peak hours ↳ Protect your last 3 pre-sleep hours Remember: Your brain needs consistent timing. Small adjustments to your schedule Create massive performance gains. Which one will you try first? ------------------------------------------------- ♻️ Share to help others upgrade their performance ➕ Follow Shannon for science-backed productivity tips