I know I often write about how to get things done and how, when we complete our tasks, we don’t have to stress over them anymore. So, you may be wondering why I’m talking about the purpose of productivity.
Are you thinking that it’s obvious, the purpose of productivity is to get the things we need and want to finish done?
Well, yes. It is that. But I think it can also be something else entirely.
If you click into Instagram, you’ll see lots of reels focused on how to get things done quickly. There are many social media influencers who highlight productivity apps, hacks, shortcuts, and systems. They show us that if we do what they do, we can be done in a jiffy.
What I’m wondering is this: If we get everything done as quickly as we can, is our purpose simply to be done?
What if we slowed down enough to truly engage with our tasks instead of just muscling through them?
We’ve Mistaken Speed for Success
I will be the first to admit that I make a daily list of the things I am doing during the day. My list includes household chores, appointments, work tasks, and time set aside for walking my dog. I love crossing things off my list because it lets me know those tasks are done.
In the past, I would power through my list, quickly getting everything done.
I’ve become increasingly aware, though, that I enjoy what I’m doing more when I’m fully present. Yes, I even enjoy doing household chores because when I’m completely engaged in the task, I take pride in doing it well.
Sometimes this means I don’t finish everything. That’s OK. I prioritize my tasks and make sure the time-sensitive things are done first. The things that are left undone are scheduled for another day—if they’re important enough to do at all.
What I have discovered is that I feel more successful when I slow down and pay attention.
Maybe the purpose of productivity isn’t to see how much we can cram into a day. Maybe it’s to use our time and attention well.
The Problem with Always Looking Ahead
When we’re always rushing to the next task, we miss the satisfaction we receive when we intentionally engage in the one we’re doing now.
If we don’t actively engage our minds in the task, our brains wander away. We start thinking about what’s next. That’s when problems can happen. We may miss critical details or even the fact that someone is talking to us.
We can also miss precious moments as they happen.
Why are we always in such a hurry? When did finishing become more important than enjoying?
There will always be another task waiting. If we spend our lives rushing through what we’re doing now so we can get to what’s next, we may find ourselves continually looking ahead instead of appreciating where we are.
Purpose of Productivity = the Process
As many of you know, I love to work on needlepoint projects. I often have my current project with me at meetings. It takes me a long time to finish each one because I honestly love the process. Seeing the picture emerge from the canvas brings me great joy. Having the finished product – a pillow, for example – is a source of pride, but finishing isn’t the only point.
The process itself matters.
I also love gardening. For those of you who garden, you know that it takes time for plants, shrubs, and ground cover to grow into the vision with which you started. Time is spent weeding, pruning, and feeding the plants. For me, pulling weeds and gently pruning plants is something I love to do. I only dedicate 15–30 minutes at a time to it, but I enjoy those minutes.
Organizing a room with a client is also a process. Taking the time to have conversations, discovering the purpose of the room, making decisions about belongings, and creating solid routines cannot, and should not, ever be rushed.
What if the process is where much of the satisfaction lives?
Quality Over Quantity
There’s a difference between being efficient and being in a hurry.
Efficiency helps us eliminate unnecessary steps and use our time wisely. Being in a hurry can cause us to rush through something simply because we want it behind us.
Let’s take a cluttered desktop as an example. You decide to organize the space and take your time evaluating the items on the desk. Things that are no longer relevant are recycled or shredded. Other things that were left on the desktop accidentally are put away. Then you clean the desktop and return the items that truly belong there.
When the task is finished, you step back, admire the result, and congratulate yourself.
Admittedly, this may take longer than scooping everything into a box and putting the box somewhere else. But you’ve accomplished something meaningful. You made decisions, completed the task thoughtfully, and created a space that works better for you.
Doing fewer things with greater attention can produce better results and more pride in what we accomplish.
Productivity Should Support Your Life
This brings me back to the purpose of productivity.
Productivity is a tool. It shouldn’t be the goal.
Think about organizing. We don’t organize our homes simply to have perfectly labeled bins, matching baskets, and clear counter tops. We organize so our homes support the lives we want to live.
Productivity should work the same way.
We use schedules, lists, routines, and systems to help us accomplish what matters. These tools can reduce stress, help us meet deadlines, and prevent important things from falling through the cracks.
But they should also leave room for living.
Being productive doesn’t mean squeezing every possible task into every available minute. It means deciding what deserves our time and attention and then giving it both.
Ask Yourself: “For What?”
I think every productivity tip, trick, or shortcut should ultimately answer one question:
I’m saving this time—for what?
Relationships?
Rest?
A creative activity?
Volunteering?
Perhaps it’s taking a walk, reading a book, working in the garden, or simply sitting on the porch with a cup of coffee.
Those are worthy uses of time.
The next time you’re powering through your to-do list, ask yourself another question:
If I finished everything on my list today, what would I do with the extra time?
Your answer may tell you something important about what you truly value.
The Real Purpose of Productivity
I don’t think the goal is to squeeze every drop out of the day.
And I don’t think we have to choose between being productive and enjoying ourselves.
The purpose of productivity is to help us do the things that matter in a timely and thoughtful way while creating space for the people, experiences, and activities that make our lives meaningful.
Sometimes being productive means moving quickly because there is a deadline. Other times it means slowing down, paying attention, and taking pride in the process.
Instead of always asking, “How quickly can I finish this?” perhaps we can sometimes ask, “How can I do this well and enjoy the process?”
After all, life isn’t what happens after we finish the to-do list.
Life is happening while we’re working our way through it.
Call to Action
Look at your to-do list today. Is everything on it truly worth your time and attention? Choose one task and, instead of rushing through it, give it your full attention. Notice whether slowing down just a little changes how you feel about both the process and the result.
What a great perspective! Sometimes it’s the doing, and sometimes it’s the being done. I’ve no desire to stop and smell the roses while I’m cleaning my house or driving somewhere; I just want to do it as efficiently and effectively as possible and get on to what’s important to me. But when I’m writing, or working with clients, or trying to engage with learning Italian,” it’s all about engaging for the purpose of delight.
And now I’m asking myself, what WOULD I do with that extra time?!
Oh, Diane! I LOVE this! I completely agree with you about being present with what you’re doing. It’s not necessarily about being productive, although there’s nothing wrong with that. But moving through the tasks, appointments, or whatever you’re doing with purpose and presence is a wonderful place to be or strive for.
While like you, I have a list of to-dos that appear on my “2Do” app each morning, those are simply my reminders. They let me know what is important to accomplish that day. Or, what I thought would be important to do on that day. However, I am highly flexible with that list. If there are too many things that have popped-up, I will move some off to another day.
When I begin to focus on the first thing, I am “in it” fully. I use timers or buzzers to remind me when it’s time to shift my attention. And by doing so, it allows me to be present with what I’m doing and not get lost in it.
I have another thought about being productive or doing something as productively as possible. There can be joy in that pursuit, too. I enjoy thinking about how to do something as efficiently as possible. Not to say that I always do things that way. But for me, that puzzle is one I like to think about and implement. It could be something as simple as the way I move through the kitchen while preparing a meal.
Thank you, Linda. I’m happy to know this resonates with you.
I love this post, Diane. It is so important to look beyond the tasks and figure out why we need to finish these items. Your ” for what purpose” question about being productive is so true. I think we get addicted to the process of completing things instead of being honest with ourselves about why we need to get tasks done fast. If you enjoy tasks, don’t rush the process. I learned this while reading a book series I knew was coming to an end. Enjoy the moment. It’s OK if it takes longer than others.
Thank you, Sabrina. It’s important to remember we can get things done and enjoy the process at the same time.
“Maybe the purpose of productivity isn’t to see how much we can cram into a day. Maybe it’s to use our time and attention well.” – loving this statement.
And for me and when working with clients, it often comes back to the “this is good enough”;
Thinking about why we are doing certain tasks can help us decide how much time and attention to give to that task.
Thank you, Jonda!
I can get very caught up in looking to the next task. This really is a trap. Being a forward thinking is good, but being too focused on the future steals from the present moment.
I’ve had that experience of trying to slow down and take pride on what I”m doing in the moment. When my kids were little, it felt like the list was overwhelmingly long. That was, to be honest, very hard. I needed to significantly cut back my list and be realistic about what I might get done in a day.
It feels better to actually complete one task than to nibble at many and never finish anything.
I agree, Seana. It does feel better to complete something! I love the picture I get in my mind’s eye of someone nibbling away at many tasks.