To be productive is good… right?

Or can it be a dangerous game to get into?

… one that leads you down a dark path that defeats the purpose productivity tries to overcome?

I, like most people, and, I imagine you include yourself in this, have a desire to be more productive. My time is precious, after all, so I want to make the most of it.

To work smart, not hard.

To be on top, rather than always playing catch up.

To be the master of my to-do list, rather than its victim.

Yet the pursuit of productivity is a tricky one; one that can lead to being so consumed by “efficiency” that you lose all sight of what really matters.

It’s why I like these three books, as they focus on the true nature of what it means to be productive.

Let’s dive in, starting with our first book…

BOOK 1: Four Thousand Weeks

Written by Oliver Burkeman, this book focuses on the fleeting nature of time; or should I say, your personal fleeting relationship with time.

Each day, it passes you by. Here, and then not.

We have dreams and aspirations, but to what avail? 

Does it help us lead a good life; one worth treasuring?

That’s the question, and having read this read… well, it changes how you see time and your relationship with it—productivity and all.

Here’s one quote, one takeaway, and one reason you may like to consume it.

One Quote:

“Productivity is a trap. Becoming more efficient just makes you more rushed, and trying to clear the decks simply makes them fill up again faster.”

The question we should ask before we pursue productivity is WHY?

Why do we want to be more efficient? What will we do with that time?

Something good, or simply fill it with more distractions?

One Takeaway:

Embrace your fragility.

Our time on this planet is finite. We are mortal. We have so little control.

We cannot overcome this or change it, merely accept and embrace it.

Being more productive is fine, but only if being so means something.

So… does it?

One Reason:

Maybe you don’t need to be more productive!

You may, but then again, maybe you don’t. Maybe, instead of being more productive, you simply need to be more present.

With your time, with what matters, with those you love.

We all want more time, but few of us appreciate why we want it and; indeed, what we will do with it if we ever capture more of it.

BOOK 2: Soulful Simplicity

Written by Courtney Carver, this book dives into the art of letting go, embracing minimalism, and overall committing to less.

A book about productivity? Not as such, yet in some ways, absolutely because the act of being more productive shouldn’t be so we have more, it should be so we have what we need to pursue less.

As before, here’s one quote, one takeaway, and one reason to read.

One Quote:

“When we focus more on fitting it all in instead of making time for what counts, we lose sight of how to create a meaningful life.”

This is why productivity can be so toxic because we become efficient simply so we can add more “stuff” to our already busy lives and minds.

Why? What do we hope to achieve with this?

Will having more time to do more “stuff” fulfill us?

One Takeaway:

Be more present.

In my experience, the pursuit of productivity — as is the case with most pursuits — is a means to simply distract ourselves from the moment we are in.

Because the moment right now… it’s boring? difficult? not as we’d like it to be?

Yet all we ever get is the chance to live in the moment, so let’s embrace that rather than cling to the past, or, worse, daydream in the future.

One Reason:

Productivity should be about less, not more.

More time is only good if you commit to doing less with it.

Less commitments. Less work. Less thinking and worrying.

Less of all that so you have more of being present and just “being” who you are.

BOOK 3: Feel-Good Productivity

Written by Ali Abdaal, a new and highly anticipated read from someone who’s evolved greatly in recent years; sharing lots of inspiration via his podcast and channel.

A more standard productivity book, yet one that approaches the subject in that all-important holistic way so it’s not pursued simply for the sake of it.

Here’s one quote, one takeaway, and one reason to read Ali’s words.

One Quote:

“What would it look like if I were really confident at this? What would it look like if I approached this task feeling confident that I could do it?”

Do you want to be more productive to make better use of your time, or do you want to achieve this so you feel more adequate and “enough”?

Efficiency is one thing, but confidence and mastery are another.

It’s important to question this as the last thing you want is for productivity to mask what you truly desire … to be a master of what you do.

One Takeaway:

Align your actions with your values.

Your values need to drive you, but is this the case?

Are your actions in alignment? Do you talk the talk or walk the walk?

Again, pursuing a more productive life isn’t always done for the right reasons, and it’s not a surefire way to remain rooted in the values that make you, you.

One Reason:

Productivity is about prioritizing.

Often, efficiency isn’t even what should be on your mind.

Doing what you NEED to should!

Having more time means little if you fill it with aspects that don’t serve your greater good. The hard work involves prioritizing your work.

Saying no. Niching down. Letting go!

CONCLUSIONS

I hope you enjoy these three books and my little dive into each.

They are all good in their own way and have the power to guide you.

Yet reading them only goes so far. What really matters is doing the work.

and in this case, doing the work may involve letting go of it.

For more book roundups like these, you may like to explore our “3 Book” playlist.

I hope you enjoy them – if you do, be sure to Like, Subscribe, and all that jazz on YouTube, and be sure to share some comments sharing your own favorite reads that inspire you to lead a better, more fulfilling life.

hi, i’m turndog and I wrote this article … i am a writer, ghostwriter, anti-hustler & a guy on a mission to ensure you too escape the hustle — come be part of the [no hustle] movement

hi, i’m turndog and I wrote this article … i am a writer, ghostwriter, anti-hustler & a guy on a mission to ensure you too escape the hustle — come be part of the [no hustle] movement