Escaping the productivity trap. How working less helps you get more done.

#1 of anti-productivity. Stop looking for magical solutions.

I’m anti-productivity.

And here’s why.

It focuses on the symptom not the cause. It’s reductionist. It is a major catalyst for anxiety, burnout and stress. In fact it’s rooted in the Industrial Revolution so why are we still so obsessed with this concept? And why do we apply it to ourselves?

The idea of productivity as a measure of personal worth is a relatively new concept. It was born out of industrialization and later the tech boom. As people began to value output over process, society pushed the narrative that more work meant more success.

The issue with being constantly focused on productivity is that, for one thing it makes you feel like crap, and because of that it actually makes you less productive and produce lower quality things.

If you feel a pang of guilt when meeting friends or trying to enjoy some down time you’ve definitely joined the productivity cult. (and you might have a few unresolved childhood issues which “doing more” will not solve).

Productivity hacks are procrastination in disguise. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

The fundamental problem with productivity is that it reduces us to blank slates. It treats us as replicable machines that when given the same inputs should achieve the same outputs.

It does not treat us as individuals. It does not account for genetics, aptitudes, emotions, feelings, desires everything which makes us human.

Productivity tries to paper over deep underlying insecurities.

• Feeling inadequate? Do more.

• Feeling Overwhelmed? Push through it.

• Feeling stressed? Learn time management.

• Don’t feel good enough? Keep grinding

Tying your sense of self worth to arbitrary outcomes which are often out of your control is insanity. No wonder mental health issues are on the rise.

In 2022 I started a Youtube channel. It was something I had been considering for ages. I’d watched all the how to start a YT channel videos. It scared the crap out of me but there came a point when I just thought f*ck it. I’m going to start.

However, I had brainwashed myself into thinking that I needed to stick to a rigid upload schedule. The dominant advice of the time was to publish at least one video per week but 2-3 would be better.

So I set myself the goal of publishing two videos a week no matter what. I told myself

“I just have to be more efficient with my time”. “I just need to produce more with less resources.”

I had again fallen for the productivity trap.

Optimisation is a killjoy

The problem was that the quality of my videos suffered immensely. They were so cringeworthy that I actually privated over half the videos I made. There were many instances where I thought If I just had a few more days I could really make this better. But today is upload and publish day I’ve just got to get it out.

After a year of this I was frustrated not only with my growth but with the audience, with YouTube and with myself. I started scrambling for video ideas. They were not coming naturally to me. I spent time searching for inspiration which never came.

I was brute forcing it.

The energy with which you approach something is of huge importance. It translates into your work. Especially in video form. I would occasionally get the odd comment that I seemed anxious or sad.

This will also reveal itself in your writing. If you are stressed readers will pick up on this. If you’re not enjoying it your audience won’t either. This is why I emphasise the importance of gradually building an interest into a passion. It’s a delicate process.

When I ditched my YT upload schedule the quality of my ideas and videos improved immediately. I started making things which were important to me. I started enjoying the process again. This changed everything. My views went up. The number of quality sponsors reaching out increased and the level of engagement went through the roof.

Standing on the shoulders of giants

People like to study the greats. They love to read biographies of accomplished individuals. People who we hold up as heroes. The thing is, everyone is different and you can choose your own heroes.

Many aspiring writers admire Hemingway. by all accounts he wrote around 500 words most mornings and then chilled for the rest of the day. On a side note he also drank heavily which does not correlate well with being productive.

500 words a day is not a lot. Most of us write more than that just replying to comments.

Albert Einstein is another great who people like to study. Apparently he slept 10 hours a day. He would often take naps in the afternoon go on long walks, read and just spending a lot of time thinking.

The point is, when it comes to knowledge work and creativity rest is a fundamental part of the process. Rest and downtime cannot be minimised or side stepped. If you feel guilty for taking a break that’s a problem which needs to be addressed.

Just like building your body it is actually during rest that your muscles recover and grow. Not in the gym. Your brain needs time and space to unfold. The technical term for this is “diffuse mode thinking”. If you allow your mind to wander it is more likely to come up with original “aha” ideas. If it is constantly tight and under stress it will not make these connections.

Part-time creators with 9-5s are in a unique position. They have the freedom to test learn and experiment without having to worry about failure at an existential level. Full time creators are in a constant state of tension to monetise their creativity.

No content means no money. Increased output means increased funds. Productivity erases the spiritual aspect of creation.

If you are consumed by doing more you can never be nourished by doing better.

So what can you do about it?

Conduct a 360 review. Not just of what you’re currently doing, but most importantly how you’re feeling. Do you feel stressed, anxious, or worried? If so that is the most pressing issue. You must get to the bottom of why before focusing on anything else.

Live life and enjoy it. Expressing your creativity, sharing something with the world is meant to be an act of joy. The creative side project is meant to enhance not hinder your life.

I have an anti productivity routine which is built around the principle of allowing myself the freedom to move at my own pace, and basically just do whatever I want.

Instead of adhering to rigid schedules and constantly planning my day to maximize output, I leave a lot of time unplanned. Here are some components of my routine:

1. I write for an hour in the morning before work. I reread and edit for an hour in the evening after work. This is not a rigid routine set in stone. Sometimes it’s less sometimes more but that is the sweet spot for me. Creativity flourishes in the constraints. Limiting your time to 2Hours a day will allow you to get more done.

2. I walk to work everyday. The productive thing would be to take public transport or cycle to work. This would give me more time to get something else done. However I enjoy my walk to work. It is an essential component of my creative process. It allows me to relax unfold my ideas expand my mind and allow diffuse mode thinking to take over.

3. I note down my ideas when they arise. I use a notion page which is synced across my devices. Creativity is not something that can be forced. But it can be organised, trained and honed. This is an essential part of my creative process. I often note down ideas during my walk to work which I come back to in the evening. (That is how this newsletter came into being - during a walk to work).

4. I have developed the power of saying no. I say no so often that most people would probably find my life boring. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

5. I prioritise rest and experiences over work and things. I watch Netflix and I’m not ashamed of it. Watching a show that you are really engaged with can be a huge source of inspiration. There are many other things you can do to relax make sure you do them regularly.

6. I love to travel. I take a trip abroad every three to four months. Being in a foreign environment forces you to pay attention to the physical world. It gets you out of your head. If I’m feeling stuck or stale this always cures that.

I know that many people get a kick out of being “productive”, out of working hard and grinding themselves into the ground. It can feel great! You think you are making significant process. Especially for men. It’s easy to fall under the illusion that hard physical work is somehow masculine and desirable. Believe me I’ve been there. That’s what my 20’s and early 30’s looked like.

But there is a better way. A more sustainable way. A way which brings joy to the process. While the world continues to glorify productivity, I’ve chosen a different path.

By rejecting the need to constantly be productive, I’ve found greater happiness, creativity, and results.

Creativity can be trained and coaxed but brute force is the wrong appproach. Limit your writing window to maximum 2 hours a day. Take notes, live life, contemplate allow your mind to wander and take joy in the small things.

If you are stuck, struggling with consistency or clarity try this for 6 weeks and watch your creative process unfold.

Become a 2Hour creator.

Thanks for reading. Enjoy the rest of your day.