6 Things I Believe About Productivity
Here are six things I believe about productivity.
Most productive people don’t read about productivity
If you watch football no one assumes it makes you a better player or that you play. We should treat someone who reads books and articles about productivity the same way.
Its entertainment. It’s an interest.
There is nothing wrong with it but the trap is believing consuming advice is being productive.
Getting the right system in place ain’t it. It is relentlessly going after it. Always focusing on real work and not fake stuff.
Time Management is Overrated
We over-invest in concepts like time-blocking your calendar, planning, creating goals, etc.
This is easy work. The setup. Gas in the engine. Destination typed in the GPS.
But you have to start driving if you want to get anywhere.
Emotional Regulation is Underrated
How we feel about doing something hard prevents 80% of getting work done. Fear is a driving force for most things in our lives.
Procrastination is the rational response. The most productive get comfortable being uncomfortable though.
Just Get Started is Easier Said Than Done
The key to overcoming procrastination is just starting. I wrote about a 5-minute exercise which works wonders but nothing is a magic bullet.
How you feel now isn’t how you will feel when you start. It’s a paradox. If only we could travel back in time and tell ourselves it won’t be that bad.
Relying Only on Intrinsic Motivation is Not a Sound Strategy
We are social creatures. People influence our behavior. Both direct and indirect.
I am part of a writing group and a running club. I also go to coffee shops and pretend strangers are watching me work.
This isn’t optional. It’s a requirement for me to act like a self-starter.
Make your goals public. Tell others what you are doing so you act consistently in your actions and words.
Sign up for a marathon and tell everyone!
But if you hate running, don’t take up running. Doing hard things means doing your thing.
It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being consistent
Have more good days than bad. We overestimate how much can get done in a day.
If you can crank out 4 hours of heads down work and focus on the right thing you are in the 90th percentile of productivity. But that type of effort isn’t needed.
Focus on consistency across weeks and months. We underestimate what can get done in 30 days.
Two hours for 30 straight days is 60 hours. Imagine what can be accomplished with that kind of time for an ambitious project.
Thanks for reading!
Irfan
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