Quality over Productivity
Why do we have the urge to be productive? Why is “productive” so many people’s definition of success? There is something about the act of “do-ing” and “accomplishing” that gives us a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. Some of us have become so addicted to “busy” that anything else feels uncomfortable.
Here is the definition of productive: achieving or producing a significant amount or result. Why is it that a “significant amount” is seen as a good thing? What if instead of producing more, we produced higher quality?
Time management and productivity experts teach us tips, tricks and hacks to get large amounts of tasks done in shorter amounts of time. What if instead, we only focused on:
What matters most (vitally important FEW tasks)
Our highest and best use of time activities (items that only you can do)
Eliminating the rest of the noise that stands in the way of #1 & #2
Wouldn’t that be a better accomplishment? In order to make this shift, we need to first be clear on our goals and desired outcomes. Then we can figure out the vital few tasks that are going to make the biggest impact toward achieving those. Next you can continually ask yourself—what is the highest and best use of my time? How can I focus more on that and get support with or eliminate the rest? Lastly and most importantly, we need to have fierce boundaries around quieting the rest of the noise and distractions that pull us away from those high quality, high leverage actions!
