Ok, I must rant today. I was reading Leslie’s article, “Busy vs. Productive” and it resonated with me. Maybe it will with you too. Is our culture obsessed with getting more stuff done and not with actually doing something with a point? Maybe.
Productivity for producitivity’s sake is not productive.
It may well be true that many of us are obsessed with how to do things faster, better, smarter and more effectively. Maybe you’ve heard some of these things:
“Oh yeah, I cleaned out my inbox in 15 minutes. I rock. ”
“Have you tried this new xyz software? It’s totally helped me get more stuff done.”
“I love my new ABC system. I spent the whole week getting it all in order, and my office looks amazing.”
Ok, that’s all well and good, but what was actually accomplished? Now, confession: I love finding new tricks and ways to get things done. However, I’m an Organizer by trade – I help home office professionals find their stuff and get what matters done. I’ve been known to try out new software, tools, books and other systems. (It’s kinda like a test drive I do for my clients so I can give them a good assessment of what will work well for them.) The problem comes when using these things gets one nowhere.
Keep your eye on the ball.
Sure, it’s fun to get a new tool, but tools need to be useful – they are a means to an end. Organization and productivity are tools for living and business. Projects, goals and objectives are key, otherwise those tools are just toys and we’re just playing around. Make sense?
So, let’s all take a deep breath and start thinking of productivity as a tool to be tweaked here and there once in a while. Then, get on with the work at hand. Afterall, isn’t that what it’s really all about?
Are you getting things done that really matter, or have you been playing too long in the “Productivity Toybox”?
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Thanks for the trackback Brandie! I love how you expanded the idea regarding tools. I tend to do that too. I also do it with reading. I love to read to improve my business. I use sticky notes to mark pages, but so often I don’t actually go back to implement what I learned. Wasted knowledge. Thanks again!
Leslie