"Productivity" is Overrated

I have followed various "productivity" systems over the past few years.  Get It Done, note taking, to do lists, tracking progress, measuring each step are all tenets of "productivity."  I find that these systems are all well and good for those of us who just need a kick in the right direction, but there are many downsides.  You get so caught up in measuring your progress, completing tasks, making gains and so forth.  All of those phrases could be put in quotation marks, because what is "progress?"  Also, what good is completing tasks and making gains if they don't matter.

This post is the opposite of the Negative Nancy first paragraph.  I think its important to get away from productivity systems.  People who are most efficient are those who are doing what they truly LOVE.  For these people, they often don't need productivity systems, because they know exactly what they need and want to do.  I think being passionate about what you are doing, and completing the tasks that you are most passionate about is the most effective productivity system.

When you stop worrying about measuring, tracking, completing and all these other tasks you can slow down and enjoy the moment.  My advice: take a deep breath, and go do what you WANT to do.

Further reading:
Untrack: Letting go of the Stress of Measuring (ZENHABITS)
The Upside of Inefficiency (LIFEHACKER)

Pocket Notebooks

The Simple Dollar is by far one of my favorite blogs, highly recommended. I have been subscribed for over a year, and I constantly find myself agreeing with owner Trent Hamm on many issues, although the topics we write on are on the opposite ends of the spectrum. I follow the financial market extensively, and The Simple Dollar is not part of that, Trent writes on productivity and personal finance, and is indisputably a frontrunner in that genre of blogging.


Today he wrote about something especially close to home, pocket notebooks. You can read all you want about "Getting Things Done," but you do not have to follow that system to make significant productivity headway through using a little notebook. As a college student, it's something I could not function without. Organizing projects, taking down assignments, capturing my random thoughts, to-do lists, blog post ideas, gift ideas, contact information and the list goes on. At the end of the day I sync this with my Google Calendar/iCal/Address Book, which automatically syncs with each other and my Blackberry, meaning I always have my notes.


I use the iconic Moleskine notebooks and cahiers primarily, as they satisfy my quality requirements and are fairly easy to find. I definitely explore other brands; Field Notes, Clairefontaine, Rhodia, and other off-brands, I have also developed a penchant for fountain pens and other fine writing instruments. A surprisingly expensive hobby!

Another notebook I am looking forward to checking out is from Postalco, previously I had only heard of it's goodness, but now available at a rapdily becoming favorite shopping destination J.Crew.



Look for me to compare Moleskine and Field Notes cahiers in the future, if there's any interest, or I get bored of writing about clothing!