Want to be more productive? Start with being honest
The quick and easy way of getting real with yourself and supercharging your output
Are you tired of feeling like you're always playing catch-up with your never-ending to-do list?
What if I told you the key to being productive is away from another timer on your smartphone or Notion template to add to your workspace?
In fact, it’s not something you have to pay $0.99 for on the app store at all.
It's simply about being honest with yourself.
This article looks to take you through some tough questions you can ask yourself next time you feel like the day's gotten away from you. As well as introducing how a little self-compassion can go a long way in helping you feel less guilty about not being perfect. Newsflash: that's all of us.
So, get introspective and let honesty be your secret weapon for long-term peace and productivity.
Estimated reading time: 5-minutes
Let's get into it.
I want to begin by saying that I don't think all productivity tips and tricks are a waste of time. If I were, I'd be writing this article with a quill and ink instead of on my Macbook.
But I am becoming increasingly more vigilant in my pursuit of optimum productivity. Frankly, I’m starting to think it's a utopia that doesn't exist.
Here's the truth.
Before you download another app, hoping it will make tomorrow your most productive day ever, I'll say this: most of the tips and hacks out there are only useful if you're honest with yourself.
I know that comes across as a bit pessimistic, but I promise I'm just trying to shoot a dose of realness into your life.
Why? Because it was the realness that I needed to hear before I blamed Evernote and its spiky user experience for me sitting on my ass and scrolling through TikTok.
Note: I am not an Evernote user. It's the first app that sprung to mind. Don't come at me 😄
So, what can you ask you ask yourself to stop living life behind the dishonest productivity curtain? These questions should help get you started:
Is your to-do list achievable, or will you continue pushing things back to another day?
Are you making goals that are too ambitious, only to give up a few weeks in, instead of being more realistic from the outset?
Are you hitting the snooze button multiple times every morning instead of setting your alarm for when you actually commit to getting out of bed?
Are you ignoring your body when it tells you you've eaten enough?
Are you ignoring your mind when it tells you it's taken too much on?
Are you spending hours in front of the TV before trying to forget where your time went?
Are you saying yes as a default when you know you don't want to commit to anything else?
You probably winced with many of those questions if you're anything like me. But I assure you, that reaction is a good thing.
We need awareness of our habits and default patterns to make lasting changes. Especially vital if we're setting ambitious goals that require a significant time commitment in our already busy lives.
Why Does Getting Real With Yourself Matter?
Fundamentally, it comes down to this.
The only person you're kidding is yourself.
We generally know we're our own worst enemy when it comes to not being as productive as possible, yet, we're searching for external tools and answers when we should be directing our energy inward.
You won't wish yourself to be more productive. It starts by being genuine and auditing the areas of your life you feel are most at fault.
I've found self-honesty to be invaluable when it comes to getting things done, especially with productivity not having to be ruthlessly executed at the expense of everything else in my life.
It's healthy to tell yourself when (and why) you succeed and fail at specific points in your day or week.
This reflection can then act as a springboard to growth. Because we're all perfectly imperfect, and that's what makes us human.
Swap Perfection For Permission
I learned recently from a coach that when I'm not as productive as I want to be, I default to feeling guilt and shame for the actions I took instead. As you can imagine, this is a rather destructive cycle of self-loathing. Not only have I not done 'the thing', but I now also hate myself for the action(s) that took its place.
A simple technique I’m finding to work is to begin your day with a permission list.
Think of a permission list as a to-do list, but one created and centred around compassion instead of productivity.
Ask yourself, "Are there any tasks I MUST complete for today to be a success?"
Often, the answer is no.
However, reframing my to-do list as a permission list is helping me get the bare essentials of my day and reach a new-found state of peace with the progress I’m making.
Productivity is anything but linear, and a permission list is a helpful reminder that you're contributing to a larger goal by doing something, even if it's something small.
God Save The...
A couple of weekends ago, we had a public holiday in the UK to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III. It meant I had an additional weekend day of leisure time to be ultra-productive. Or at least so I envisaged when it got put on the calendar.
The public holiday coincided with one of my good friend's 30th birthday. That meant a full day in the pub, celebrating on a Sunday. Something I tend to avoid during a normal working week.
Leading into the event, I decided I'd put into practice the lesson my coach gave me. I fully permitted myself to enjoy the event, celebrating and catching up with friends. I also allowed myself a less productive Monday, given that I knew I'd feel a little jaded after an afternoon of beers, fun and disrupting my regular weekly routine.
It was a bit of an A-ha moment for me. Because instead of ruminating on all the tasks I hadn't completed, I was then able to get ultra-clear on my priorities.
Permission allowed me to afford myself the time not to hit the dizzy heights of meeting all my to-do's, helping me be more present during the event and even enjoy a slower pace the following day.
After my 36-hour permission period, I even found myself raring to go when I did settle back into my routine.
We're not wired to be productive AI-driven robots 365 days a year (after all, that's what ChatGPT is for). Instead, we can afford less effective days and not wallow in them as a missed opportunity—something I'd have done previously.
Please don't take today’s musings as if I'm saying you shouldn't work hard; far from it.
Instead, it’s designed to show you that you can afford to be a little easier on yourself and enjoy the beauty of life when it comes around. Capture the moments, connect with friends and appreciate that we are human beings, not human doings.
Final Word
So, improving your productivity all starts with being honest with yourself. Just don’t forget to sprinkle some self-compassion into your schedule alongside it.
Take advantage of an opportunity to make lasting memories and be present in the moments life throws your way.
Audit your days, weeks, and months. But remember to do so from a place of balance, love and respect.
At the end of the day, your to-do list will still be there in the morning whether you like it or not. That’s something I'm sure we can all agree on.
All the best for a productive, honest and compassionate week.
Jack