Is there a secret sauce to amplify time and productivity? How do we, individually, experience the concept of time? Why do the same tools and strategies work for some, and not for others?
I have been pondering those questions lately, and in an attempt to bring some light to this matter, for the next few weeks I’d like to share with you things I’ve learned, researched and discovered along the way (through coursing my studies, working and starting my own business).
Today I’d like to pause, for a few minutes, in the word productivity.
I grew up with an inner belief that I had to be productive. And while productivity has heavily supported my career development, it has also limited me in some other ways.
The Cambridge dictionary defines productivity as:
the rate at which a person, company, or country does useful work
the rate at which a country, company, etc. produces goods or services, usually judged in relation to the number of people and the time necessary to produce them
Productivity is commonly understood as a measure of efficiency — often equated with how much we can accomplish in a given period of time. Traditionally, it’s the pursuit of maximising output, getting more done in less time, and consistently pushing for faster and better results.
This mindset has been the backbone of many careers and has undoubtedly helped many people drive achievements and advancements. But, while a productivity-oriented approach has undoubtedly supported career growth and helped us reach milestones, it can also become limiting.
By focusing heavily on maximising output, productivity can turn into a constant pressure to “perform”, sometimes sidelining important things such as quality, creativity and wellbeing. Also, this chase for productivity, instead of freeing up time, can fill every available moment, leaving no room for other things.
What about if we redefine productivity as intentionality?
Or we connect the two?
Shifting the focus from doing more to doing what truly matters can transform productivity into a tool that supports your life and career.
Note: I don’t want you to believe me. I invite you to try different things and find what works for you.
Start by asking yourself: What if I redefine productivity, not as a measure of output, but as intentionally putting my energy on what truly matters?
Intentionality invites us to pause and look at the whole picture. Is this action truly valuable? Does it align with my larger purpose or goal? And with my energy levels?
By ensuring that each task is intentionally chosen we can amplify the value of our time. This approach doesn’t demand that we do more; it encourages us to do better, focusing on quality, impact, and purpose over quantity.
Roadblock: busywork
One of the big roadblocks to intentional productivity is the myth that constant activity equates to success.
Many of us find ourselves caught in cycles of busywork, where tasks keep piling up simply because we feel we have to keep pushing: to find more clients in our business, or to deliver project outcomes with unrealistic deadlines at the end of the year when we want to leave things done and dusted before Christmas.
The myth of constant “doing” reinforces a culture where slowing down, reflecting, and prioritising are seen as less valuable than being constantly “on.” I lived with that mindset for a long time, and in my experience, this is the perfect recipe for burn out.
Overcoming this roadblock requires a mindset shift. By examining our to-do lists with a critical eye, we can begin to discern what is genuinely important from what is merely urgent. When we filter out tasks that don’t add true value, we create space for deeper focus and higher-quality outcomes.
You can use this two simple tools to tackle this:
Conclusion
Imagine productivity as gardening. When we bought our home and my husband started our garden, we planted as many seeds as possible (in a limited time), hoping some will grow. I remember throwing away all our broccolis because they got infested and not seeing grow many things we planted.
Now that my husband has learned about gardening and we have a little green house, he carefully selects the products he wants to grow and the seeds that work best for our garden soil, nurtures them, and allows them the time they need to flourish. It’s less about the volume of tasks and more about the value each task contributes (this would be intentional productivity).
This shift in focus amplifies time by ensuring that every action contributes meaningfully, eliminating the waste of busywork and the stress of constant hustle.
Quality-focused intentionality isn’t just about doing less; it’s about doing more of what gives you joy, and has a lasting impact.
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