The Productivity Trap
How we can resist the lure of productivity and live more constructively instead
I've read more than my fair share of productivity books, blogs, and articles, many filled with useful advice about how to better “hack” my life to get more from my time.
But in recent years, I've become disillusioned with the notion of productivity. The turning point came when my Instagram feed became flooded with glossy influencers advising on how to “optimise” every aspect of my life, from my yoga practice to my shower routine. Spontaneity, going with the flow, and simply enjoying the moment seemed to vanish. Everything had to have an agenda.
Around the same time, I noticed a shift in the yoga teaching community from creative sequencing to objective-focused class planning. While I understand and appreciate the value of objective-focused yoga classes—like preparing students for a peak pose such as the wheel pose with appropriate backbends and wrist warm-ups—I also cherish creative sequences. They feel good, nurture the body and mind, and encourage play with different shapes. Sometimes, I forgo a traditional “peak pose” altogether, focusing instead on the transitions and the overall experience.
Humans are not machines. Yet, when we overemphasise productivity, we start judging ourselves based on unexamined criteria—how many items we can tick off our to-do lists or how much we can get through. I used to take pride in reaching “inbox zero” at the end of each workday until I realised, during lockdown, that nothing terrible happened when I didn’t achieve this meaningless target. Inbox zero only led to a faster cadence of replies the next day. My quick responses were rarely my best responses, and slowing down sometimes allowed issues to resolve themselves.
The only book on time management I now recommend is Oliver Burkeman’s Four Thousand Weeks. In it, Burkeman challenges us to query why we’re so obsessed with getting everything done, when clearly that’s a futile quest. Instead, he urges us to identify what matters most to us and use that to decide what we won’t do as much as what we will.
“The real measure of any time management technique is whether or not it helps you neglect the right things.” - Oliver Burkeman
What do we actually mean by productivity? One definition I found online is “the rate at which a worker, a company or a country produces goods, and the amount produced, compared with how much time, work and money is needed to produce them.” The concept of productivity is intrinsically related to the quantity of stuff we produce and how quickly and cheaply we can produce it.
I’d like to challenge whether the speed, efficiency and quantity of our output is a good driver for how we spend our precious lives. We all have immeasurable value within us, regardless of how much we produce. At the same time, the drive to do more, develop, progress, and move forward is intrinsically human. Instead of focusing on being productive, I suggest we think about being constructive.
When I think about being productive, I jump straight to the task list and focus on the output, without considering the purpose. Leading a more constructive life requires reflection on what we are building or adding to. This approach aligns with my values—I want a calm, happy, fulfilled life. I want to raise my daughter well, connect deeply with people, and embrace creativity and freedom. Focusing on these things helps me prioritise what truly matters rather than mindlessly tackling a task list.
And if I think of the counter to being constructive, it’s being destructive. In order to be constructive, we might also need to consider how we avoid destructive behaviours that can harm ourselves or the lives we are building.
As a final note from Burkeman’s book (which is genuinely excellent!), I adopted the practice of writing a “not do” list—a list of things I choose not to spend my time on today. It’s both fun and liberating, and my invitation to you this week is to try it out…
For further reading on the dissatisfaction with productivity culture, I recommend Cal Newport’s article in The New Yorker, "The Frustration with Productivity Culture."
Things to practise, read and enjoy:
Practise with me! I’ll be teaching a yoga/ reformer pilates mashup class as part of the wonderful Elevated Pilates Relax and Revive Mini Retreat on Saturday 1st June 2024. If you’ve never tried reformer pilates before, you’re in for a treat. Plus a delicious vegetarian lunch is included. Book through the Elevated Pilates app or reply to this email and I’ll walk you through it :)
Currently reading: The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak - a beautiful, easy-to-read novel, with love story interwoven with a fictionalisation of the poet Rumi’s life. I couldn’t put it down.
Currently listening to: Season Two of Jon Ronson’s Things Fell Apart podcast - some brilliant stories with a focus on the culture wars - and great if like me you get a little bored of the usual celebrity interview-style podcasts.
Today’s newsletter was sponsored by Elevated Pilates in Beeston.