How to Stop Obsessing Over Apps and Embrace the Right Kind of Productivity
How to Stop Obsessing Over Apps and Embrace the Right Kind of Productivity
You need to know why you want what you want
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Do you know why you are drawn to information and apps about productivity, and the technology that drives much of it?
Have you plumbed the depths beneath the impulse that just pushed you to click on yet another article about the topic? Are you trying to close a gap? What shape is it?
So many questions!
Efficiency of output per unit of input: that’s what productivity measures. Do-it-faster-do-it-better-never-stop.
I could tell you about powerful devices, beautiful apps (there’s a list of them below) that caress and align your tasks into aesthetic submission, or about new methodologies that promise to bring clarity to your day (as I have done and will do), but right now I’m more interested in the ultimate, personal why behind all of it.
Dream the Dream, Then Ask Why
Imagine for a moment that you’re as productive as it’s humanly possible to be.
Your day is effortlessly time-blocked, and all your tasks are done in the right order, ahead of time. You never miss a deadline or let anyone down.
In this ideal situation, you’ve arrived; you’re at the height of productivity! Congratulations. As you stand there with the world at your feet, what can you see from the peak? Why did you climb the productivity mountain in the first place?
When watching Francisco Bricio’s take on plain text productivity, I was impressed by his habit of running every potential new project past his list of 7 Ws. He only takes on projects that are in alignment with his values. I love this! These principles can also apply to your use of productivity methods and tools.
What comes to mind when you think of the questions from Francisco’s list —
Who am I?
What do I want?
Why do I want the things I want?
When am I going to do these things?
What are the things I will consistently do to achieve these?
Who will I surround myself with for leverage?
Where will I do this; which tools will I use?
Good Work! But You’re Not Done Yet
If your answer was to have more time, or to make money, that’s great, but don’t stop — you’re not done yet. It’s time to dig deeper!
Why do you want more time? To do a certain activity? To be with family? Why do you want that?
Why do you want to provide product x or service y to people? To make their lives easier, perhaps? Why?
Why do you want to make money? Why do you want that thing you’re hoping to buy with the money you make?
Why do you want to be financially independent?
After each answer, keep asking why until you can’t go any further. You’ll know when you’re there.
With your Why firmly in mind, you’ll be less likely to fall prey to shiny app syndrome and the addiction of the new. You’ll be able to see through the sheen on the latest productivity hack, and you won’t waste your time on complicated methods and apps that don’t align with your personality or needs.
Oh, But I Do Love Me a Pretty App!
I’m not advocating extreme productivity minimalism, oh no! Auditioning new apps is one of the geeky pleasures of life I indulge in from time to time.
Here are some of my favourite productivity-related Mac and iOS tools—
Noteshelf (click here if you’re wondering which handwritten notes app is best for you)
Why? Because!
Part of my Why is beautifully expressed in this quote from Every Single Day: Daily Habits to Create Unstoppable Success, by Bradley Charbonneau and John Muldoon:
One of my new and deepest rooted dreams is to make an impact in the world, to help people change parts of their lives, to take their hand from the hole they’re stuck in and lift them up. Even if I can only lift them high enough to see some light, I know they will get a glimpse of the path for them.
It’s not important that I don’t yet know exactly how to do this; what matters is that I know this is what I want to do. What I need to do. It’s a driving force behind my actions, and the foundation upon which my desires to be productive rest.
Sure, you can have elements of productivity in your life without doing this kind of deep work. Be aware, though, that not knowing your deepest Why leaves you vulnerable to the time and energy sapping trap of climbing a ladder that’s leaning against the wrong wall.
Find your Why, stay true to it, and productivity will fall into its proper place as a vehicle to a destination of your choosing, not an end in and of itself.