Why Productivity Matters
Productivity is what it's all about! Or is it? Efficiency and productivity are popular buzzwords, for sure, but there is no value in productivity for productivity's sake.
Don't get me wrong, productivity is one thing I am shamelessly passionate about.
Case in point—I write more posts about productivity than anything else.
As much as I love finding ways to accomplish more, the key value is why I accomplish anything at all.
“Productivity for the sake of productivity is nothing more than spinning your wheels.”
Before you focus on more efficiency with something that you regularly do, pause for a moment, and ask yourself:
If I had more free time, how would I spend that each day?
The answer to this question is key because it can form the motivation to sustain productivity as you go.
Across the many different ways to spend your time should you become more productive, there are two main paths to choose:
- Get More Done. Complete your urgent tasks faster and you'll have more time to focus on important must-do tasks as well.
- Take Less Time. Get your work done sooner rather than later, and you'll have more time to spend focusing on rest, friends & family, or fun.
Most people choose some combination of both, but generally lean one way or the other.
The point is that when you become more productive, you have the freedom to chase dreams you would otherwise have missed.
That dream may be your next big project or simply more time with your family. The point is that you get to choose why productivity matters for you.
“Productivity yields opportunity. What you do with that is up to you.”
I naturally lean more towards the side of getting more done, which I suppose is how I write regularly and grow my business while working a full-time job. Others lean more towards taking less time, and spend every minute they can away from work and resting at home.
Most people settle for neither and accomplish what's needed within the time slot allowed. If you're not proactive about productivity, Parkinson's Law quickly comes into effect (“Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion”).
Find your motivation, hone in on that, and you'll find increased productivity much easier and fun.
If you had more free time, how would you spend that each day?
