What does being productive mean? What are the benefits of changing how you think about productivity?
People generally think of productivity as getting a lot of things done, but Michael Hyatt disagrees. In his book Free to Focus, he defines productivity as getting the right things done.
Let’s look at Hyatt’s definition of productivity and how it can help you finish tasks in a meaningful way.
A Different Idea of Productivity
What does being productive mean? Hyatt begins by saying that, like many people in the modern world, you probably feel like you’re drowning in an endless stream of emails, calls, and to-do lists. Changing how you think about productivity will enable you to accomplish more while actually working less. That, in turn, will finally allow you to get your head above water.
(Shortform note: Overwork is a global issue, and a deadly one. A study by the World Health Organization (WHO) found that, in 2016, more than 745,000 people worldwide died from overwork-induced heart diseases and strokes. The WHO also noted that figure is part of a worrisome upward trend: Deaths from overwork-induced heart disease increased 42% between 2000 and 2016, and deaths from overwork-induced stroke increased by 19% during that time. Therefore, mindset and lifestyle shifts like those that Hyatt endorses here may not just be a matter of happiness and life satisfaction, but also of protecting your physical health.)
The Purpose of Productivity
Hyatt says that the ultimate goal of any productivity system is freedom.
For Hyatt, freedom means being able to focus deeply on important work without being constantly interrupted with phone calls, emails, less-important tasks, or other distractions. It also means having the ability to disconnect from your work and be fully present with your family and friends. Finally, freedom means having the ability to drop everything in order to handle something important—or to rest and do nothing at all.
Hyatt adds that you’re most likely pursuing this goal already, even if you don’t realize it. For instance, you go through your emails in the hopes that you soon won’t have any more emails to deal with, and you earn money so you’ll have the freedom to do what you want while you’re not at work.
| Freedom, Mindfulness, and Living in the Moment Hyatt defines freedom as the ability to be fully present and engaged with whatever you’re doing, whether that’s working, socializing, or resting; in short, being free of distractions. This idea is better known as present-moment awareness, or more colloquially, “living in the moment.” Psychologists and self-help experts alike say that living in the moment has significant benefits for your mental and emotional health. First of all, by definition, present-moment awareness means that you’re not stressing yourself out by regretting the past or worrying about the future. It also allows you to fully experience and appreciate each moment as it comes, which boosts your mood and overall happiness. Finally, greater awareness of the present moment makes you better able to recognize stressors and other challenges, and to meet those challenges in healthy, productive ways. |
Before You Start: Decide What You’re Working Toward
Recall that, for Hyatt, productivity doesn’t just mean accomplishing a lot; it means accomplishing important things. To do this, you first need to figure out what’s important to you.
Hyatt says you need to start with a clear idea of what you want your life to look like—your personal vision of success. This means deciding what matters most to you, whether that’s your career, your family, spirituality, hobbies, or something else that you’re passionate about. Also, consider how much of your life you’d ideally devote toward each of those pursuits. This vision will become your guidepost as you work to create a balanced and fulfilling life.
For instance, if you envision yourself as CEO of a large corporation, you’ll probably have to devote most of your time to your career. On the other hand, if your ideal life is being a stay-at-home parent, then you likely see yourself devoting most of your time to your family. These are both valid concepts of success and would serve as effective goals to build a life around.
| Make Sure You’re Working Toward What You Really Want Hyatt says that the first step toward a happy, fulfilling life is to decide what success looks like for you; in other words, to decide what you really want. In The Desire Map, self-help expert and entrepreneur Danielle LaPorte makes a similar claim, saying that the key to happiness is to pursue what you want while using your feelings as a guide. However, LaPorte builds on this idea by saying that it’s crucial to first make sure you’re pursuing things that you genuinely want. She warns that peer pressure, or your own preconceived ideas about success and happiness, could lead you to devote your life to what others think will make you happy. That’s why LaPorte emphasizes listening to your feelings: Outside influences like social media, family expectations, and cultural norms might influence your judgment, but your emotions will always let you know whether you’re truly happy with your life. |
