Are you looking for ways to be more productive at work? We all know what it’s like to try and make every precious minute count . . . only to look back at the end of the day and wonder what happened to those three hours in the afternoon that seem to have simply disappeared.

There are books, apps, and entire classes devoted to helping us manage our time and make the most of each day. They promise to give us an advantage in the race and make us faster, more agile. But before you dive into the minutiae, you should first step back and consider the big picture. Namely, are you in the right career? Is your job a good fit?

Everyone has natural strengths and abilities. The Highlands Ability Battery (HAB) objectively and precisely identifies those abilities in a detailed report. Here’s the interesting thing: you can perform well at a job for which you have little natural aptitude. How? By making up for the difference through continued, persistent effort. In other words, you can effectively perform at a number of different jobs. It just takes a lot more energy to do some jobs than others, depending on your strengths.

Let’s go back to the topic of productivity in the workplace. When you are in a position that is well aligned with your natural abilities, you will naturally be more productive. You’re starting the race closer to the finish line. Instead of making up for a lack of natural ability through effort and force of will, you’re able to fine tune your efforts in a more productive, seamless way.

Being in a career that is well matched to your strengths and abilities doesn’t mean that you don’t have to try. But if your goal is to be more productive, it’s well worth the time and effort to see if you’re carrying any extra weight. You wouldn’t expect to win a race wearing ankle weights, and you can’t expect to achieve peak performance and productivity at your job if you’re constantly fighting internal resistance.

Before you spend time and money on productivity books, classes, or apps, first ask yourself the question: Is my job in alignment with my natural abilities?

If you’re not sure of the answer, one of our knowledgeable and experienced Certified Consultants can help. For over 30 years, we’ve been guiding thousands of people through the process of honing in on their natural abilities and taking into account their whole selves through the Highlands Whole Person Model.

Run lighter, run faster, run longer. Achieve levels of productivity you’ve only dreamed about.