Productivity is Not the Point
Productivity is a byproduct.
The most productive people you know aren’t focused on systems and hacks.
They are driven, energized, and enthusiastic.
They do a lot all of the time without really thinking about productivity. They make tweaks here or there to enjoy themselves more.
Productivity hacks are what we use when we don’t have intrinsic motivation.
Productivity is obligatory and external.
The soul’s pursuit is joyful and internal.
If you’re not productive, there are two things you can do:
- Change your mindset
- Change your context (Focus)
Changing your mindset means seeing your work in a new light. We have agency over how we view ourselves and our world. What we expect to see, we see, and because of that, our attitude, thinking, and point of view changes how we look at what we do. It might be that the more productive person than you has a different story about their work.
Changing your context means putting yourself in a space where you naturally thrive. I’m attending a conference this week, and I was SO drained after one of the afternoons, and then the next day I was totally fired up. I realized that the talks I listened to on the first day were not in my zone of genius and interest, but on the second day the people and workshops I did were right up my alley. I was so energized. The first series was energy draining. The second was energy giving.
If you do something and it gives you energy, wouldn’t it be easier to do more than if you do something and it takes your energy away?
If you do something and it gives you energy, wouldn’t it be easier to do more than if you do something that drains your energy?
Your favorite Productivity Youtuber is in their zone of genius. They love productivity for productivity’s sake – so much that they spend their time making videos about it.
The deeper lesson behind their work is not the productivity hacks they may or may not actually be using. The deeper lesson is that they have found something that they love to do so much: YouTube, and a topic they love so much: Productivity that they enjoy doing it all of the time.
Love is the best fuel source for productivity. Desire is a good fuel source but not as strong as love. Obligation is a poor fuel source, even though we use it all of the time.
When you love doing something, you win twice.
First, when you get to do it, and then when or if you get an external outcome related to it.
Focusing on your productivity is an unnecessary step in the process.
As Yoda wisely said, “Do, or Do Not, There is No Try.”
A good productivity question to ask yourself is:
“What do I most love to do?”