Productivity

5 Lies About Productivity

The productivity sphere is peppered with lies. It’s not that these were put out intentionally; they grew out of assumptions about universal solutions and techniques.

Instead of taking a toolbox approach to productivity, companies packaged systems in an attempt to make the techniques easier. (And to sell more products, the cynical part of me adds)

Five Lies About Productivity

There are many untruths that are running around the productivity spheres. They’re not new – in fact, I would say that they have been around since the birth of the first productivity system. They are so ingrained in the catalog of material that is it difficult to get away from them.

But if you know that they are there, you can spot the lies and counteract them.

So let’s move on and get you back on track.

If a System Doesn’t Work, It’s Your Fault

This is the lie I see most often, and it’s the one that is rooted in a person’s inability to see beyond themselves. It is most often spouted by people, famous or humble, who have a working system. They attempt to bring it to others, and when it doesn’t work, they merely shrug and say, “well, it works for me, so the problem must be you.”

This lie is rooted in the belief that there is a one-size-fits-all out-of-the-box productivity solution. What is sauce for the goose is not sauce for the gander in this case.

The truth: since we are all different people, with different demands on our time, jobs, family situations, etc, there will be no one solution that works for everyone. Learn to pull apart systems and take the bits that work for you.

You Just Need To Get Organized

Many “experts” blame lack of productivity on being disorganized.

While it is true that you won’t be as productive if you are constantly spending time looking for your keys, wallet, papers you are working on, etc., that organization is not a total solution. It is possible to be too organized, spending all your time keeping things in their places.

And even those people who are totally organized can still have issues with productivity. Faced with a list of 20 things, some people (myself included) shut down and don’t get anything done. And there are also energy and focus and procrastination issues.

The truth: it’s not all about organization. To a certain extent, organization can help you on your journey to be productive, but organization and productivity are not the same things. Otherwise, we wouldn’t need two different words for them.

Being Productive Is About Making Lists

There are those who claim that if you just have a series of lists (or one big list) that you will be more productive.

But you can make lists until the cows come home, or make lists of the cows that come home, and you will still not be any closer to productivity. That is because list making is an organizational tool (see organization above). There is a certain point where making more lists no longer gets you any more productive because you are spending all your time making lists.

The truth: lists are simply a tool that you may or may not use in your quest to become more productive. While they are good for freeing up your brain cycles so you don’t keep re-thinking things, lists are not the answer in and of themselves. Productivity is about getting things done, not simply making a list and hoping the things will do themselves.

Productive is Getting A Lot Of Stuff Done

Checking a lot of stuff off a list feels great. It is also incredibly deceptive. Just because you have 10 or 20 or 30 things checked off on your list doesn’t mean you have been productive. It just means you got a lot of tasks done.

Not all tasks and projects have the same value. What is important to me might not be important to you, and vice versa. And within your tasks, you will have important tasks and unimportant ones.
The truth: productive is about doing the right things, not just about doing things. You have to know what you’re aiming for. Doing tasks for the sake of doing tasks is like trying to drive to Timbuktu but having no idea how to get there. You might rack up a lot of miles and never leave your home city.

You Have To Be A Morning Person To Be Productive

NO.

I know there has been a great trend about how getting up earlier is the miracle of productivity.

But that doesn’t mean you have to twist yourself into something you are not.

Some people are more energetic at night. Some are more energetic in the morning. And the vast majority of people could go either way.
The truth: the true secret to that early productivity is that you are uninterrupted. If you cannot function early in the morning (and I feel your pain, because I don’t, either) you need to find a space in your life when you will not be interrupted. Early mornings work as long as no one else is around. You could also find that space late at night, or even by sitting in your car at lunch. You can even get that interruption-free time with a good pair of headphones.

Summary

The lies that are found in productivity circles can really lead you astray. Whether it is making you work at a system that doesn’t, using ineffective techniques, or mis-defining productivity, these lies can make productivity more elusive. Learn to spot them, don’t believe them.

Like this article? Share it with a friend.

Image by jaroh. Licensed under Creative Commons. Text added.