Babies Are Adorable, But They Can Teach Us Productivity Too

Babies are adorable creatures that can melt the stoniest of hearts. Those big baby eyes and their toothless grins can make anyone go gaga. They are also highly efficient and can teach us a number of things about being productive. Follow these 10 productivity lessons below, and the next time someone says you’re acting like a baby, you can proudly say, “Thank you.”

1. They Sleep Like a…Well, Baby.
Babies, especially newborns, sleep like they are getting paid to do it. Although it may not appear to be the case, they sleep on average 10-18 hours a day, albeit in chunks and pieces. All this sleep helps babies grow and develop a healthy immune system. It also helps them remain alert and in happy moods. When they don’t get enough sleep, they can become cranky, irritable, and difficult to soothe or please.

We adults get the same way. Lack of sleep makes us grouchy, susceptible to illness, and negatively affects – among other things – our memory, reaction time, and alertness, things very important to our productivity level. We may not need 18 hours, but to be at our most productive, we do need to make getting enough sleep a priority, just like babies do.

2. They Roll Over After Months of Practice.
Achieving this huge milestone doesn’t just happen overnight. It comes with months of practice and persistence. It starts with the lifting of the head, then the head and shoulders, followed by using the arms for mini push-ups. The movements progress to include back arches, rocking, kicking, and swimming motions. All of this builds muscles which months later, at the right time, culminate in the first successful roll over.

People who are most productive know the importance that practice and repetition play in accomplishing goals. Babies practice for months on end with no complaints. Our overall productivity could benefit from imitating their behavior.

3. They Flourish When They Have a Routine.
A regular schedule is incredibly important for babies. It decreases instances of being overtired, over-hungry, or overwhelmed. The same is true for adults. We are more productive when our minds and bodies are adequately nourished. We are alert, and we can focus with a degree of sharpness impossible when basic needs aren’t met.

Routine makes babies feel safe and secure, which allows them to confidently explore their environment and achieve milestones. It should come as no surprise that the same is true for adults. A small daily task, if it be daily, will beat the labours of a spasmodic Hercules. The simple act of doing, if done routinely, is one definition of productivity that will inevitably lead to results.

4. They Let You Know When They are Done.
Everyone has their limits. People who are productive understand this and know when to stop pushing. Simply taking a short break, stepping away, taking a walk, listening to music, engaging in conversation or anything that clears your head can replenish the creativity well and provide you with insights which were previously elusive.

5. They Grab Your Hair (Earrings, Glasses, Tie) and Won’t Let Go.
There are a million things going on around babies, but they are only interested in one. If we were like this consistently, we would be so much more productive and might actually cross everything off of our to-do lists once in a while.

6. They Smile and Laugh without Reservation.
Smiling and laughing are great for folks of all ages. It helps us manage stress, builds the immune system, makes us appear more likable and trustworthy, and assists us in seeing the bigger picture. In essence, the acts of smiling and laughing, both positive behaviours, can have an equally positive impact on productivity levels.

7. They Make a Stink and Move On.
Do we engage in negative self-talk which is sure to sabotage future efforts, or do we recognize it as a learning experience which will bring us closer to success? The truth is, poop happens. When it does, productive people clean up and move on.

8. They Immediately Let You Know What They Want.
Productive people take the initiative. Even when it is scary, they take action because they know the only way to achieve results is to take chances and move forward.

9. They Don’t Rush Things.
Babies don’t skip over the milestones, nor do they achieve them by happenstance. Sure, they may get frustrated when their current level of mobility keeps their goal just out of reach. However, not one yet has figured out how to rush the process, cut corners or cheat their way to accomplishment.

10. They Learn from Everything.
Every experience, conversation, interaction and discovery has something to teach us. The most productive people understand this and view each day as an opportunity to learn, grow, and get better at achieving their goals.

Conclusion
Babies are cute, but they are more than just something fun to look at. They are highly efficient at what they do and can teach us a multitude of lessons about being productive. If we take the time to observe and learn from them, we can take our productivity level to new heights.