Productivity: 5 Mental Shifts
Genuine productivity isn't measured by how much we accomplish, but whether we're accomplishing our highest priorities.
During a recent coaching session I was working with a client to explore how to increase their productivity. After our session I reflected on how much my own understanding of productivity has changed over the last number of years. While I’ve traditionally understood productivity as getting more done, I’ve come to increasingly view it through the lens of accomplishing one’s highest priorities. That understanding has evolved as the following five mental shifts have taken root in my life:
SHIFT #1: Doing a few things well is more productive than doing many things superficially.
Productivity is not about doing more things, but about doing the most important things well. I used to think that the more tasks I completed, the more productive I was. But that wasn’t necessarily true. My ambition and passion often spread me too thin, leading me to invest in too many opportunities. Now, I recognize that productivity means investing a disproportionate amount of time and energy into my top 3-5 priorities (cf. Matthew 6:33).
SHIFT #2: Rest, relaxation, and recreation are essential to productivity.
It’s been easy for me to get caught up in the hustle and grind of “getting things done.” This has made extended breaks from work feel self-indulgent and lazy. As a result, I tended to view Sabbath, rest, and relaxation as an interruption to being productive. Thankfully, I have come to appreciate how rest, relaxation, and recreation are crucial for both my well-being and productivity. Grinding through tasks and responsibilities for an extended period leads to diminishing returns. Your “axe” gets dull, and more and more strength is required to do the work (cf. Ecclesiastes 10:10). Stepping away, taking time recharge your batteries (i.e. sharpen the saw), allows you to return with renewed energy and focus. As unintuitive as it can feel at times, disengaging from work in order to rest and participate in re-creation does not interfere with productivity, but become the conditions that sustain and enhance it.
SHIFT #3: When it comes to being productive with people, "slow is fast and fast is slow."
As an achievement-oriented individual, I have been tempted to treat people as means to an end. But when it comes to people, productivity and progress happens at the speed of relationship. Building high-trust relationships takes time and patience, and rushing, pushing, or coercing people will only sabotage the results you're after. Take your time with people and build momentum slowly and carefully. People are not objects to be managed, but image-bearers to be loved. That means there are no “efficient” ways to “deal” with people. There are only care-full ways to support them and their growth.
SHIFT #4: Energy management is more important than time management.
Time is a limited resource, but energy is even more precious. Structuring my day around my peak energy levels has been a game-changer. As a morning person, I tackle my highest priority tasks first, and allow less demanding tasks to fill up my afternoons and evenings. This simple shift has allowed me to give my top priorities the investment and enrichment they deserve.
SHIFT #5: Perfectionism will kill progress.
Perfectionism is the enemy of both productivity and progress in any area. It creates an all-or-nothing mentality that can keep us from moving forward in (imperfectly) meaningful and healthy ways. I’ve been learning how to identify perfectionism within myself and becoming OK with producing "good enough" results. It’s not easy. But realizing that my “perfect” never actually is, and that the difference between 90% and 100% will often go unnoticed by those on the receiving end, has helped me move away from the taxing burden that perfectionism places on my efforts. As I focus on “good enough” progress instead of perfection, I’m avoiding the discouragement and energy drain that comes from chasing an unattainable standard.
My understanding and approach to productivity continues to mature, and I’m sure there are more lessons on the way. But I wanted to share these thoughts to encourage others for whom productivity is a value, but are looking for a framework that invites them beyond a limiting and compromising commitment to merely “getting more done.”