I've been interested in maximizing productivity since I became distracted by it one late afternoon on an ADHD bender.

Over the past 15 years, I have encountered many strong opinions about maximizing productivity. At first, I agreed with them, but the more I learned and educated myself, the more I disagreed with them.

Eventually, I reached a point where I felt like the only reason these beliefs had become mainstream and commonly accepted was that "a lot of other people" agreed with them, too.

So, I have some controversial opinions I'd like to share on maximizing productivity after hundreds of hours immersing myself in the subject, failing, testing, and moving on:

1/ Pursuing productivity at all costs is misguided.

I'm not saying productivity isn't important. I'm just saying that maximizing output without considering the impact on your overall life satisfaction is a recipe for burnout and unhappiness.

I can be highly productive doing the wrong things.

2/ Hustling 24/7/365 is a myth.

Elon Musk claims to work 100-hour weeks but has gone through multiple divorces.

Arianna Huffington collapsed from exhaustion and had to completely rethink her approach.

Numerous studies show diminishing returns and increased errors when working over 50 hours/week.

I'm not saying I won't have to hustle. I will. But the hustle is cyclical.

Hustling non-stop is a fast track to damaged relationships, poor health, and eventual breakdown and burnout.

3/ You can't have it all, all at once.

"Most people" try to cram their lives full of everything they want to achieve. Which leads to…

1. Rushed, poor-quality work

2. Constant stress and anxiety

3. No time for rest, reflection, and growth

Clearly, what "most people do" doesn't work. So do something else.

Start by investing in your return on time and deciding what NOT to do.

4/ Sacrificing health, family, and passions for productivity.

99% of the time, this is a giant mistake.

Instead, Essentialism author Greg McKeown has an excellent framework for achieving more by doing less without falling into the overwork trap.

Explore: Discern the vital few from the trivial many

Eliminate: Cut out the nonessentials

Execute: Remove obstacles and make execution effortless

5/ Winning at the game of life is an emptier goal than it seems.

Pursuing conventional markers of success is a silly goal.

Because no matter how much you achieve, there will always be a hungry ghost inside pushing you to strive for more. Finding contentment in the present moment is a better pursuit in life:

1. You appreciate what you already have

2. You make time for simple joys and human connection

3. You feel at peace, knowing you are enough as you are

Although productivity is useful, want most people preach is bullshit.

Cut out the waste. Focus on the few. And live a life (and career) that matters. We're human 'beings' for a reason.

So go be.

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