James Clear’s Post

View profile for James Clear, graphic
James Clear James Clear is an Influencer

Writer at JamesClear.com

Productivity is most important for things you don't want to be doing. Most people want to increase productivity so they can spend less time on the task. But before you worry about being more productive, think about being more selective. Rather than focusing on increasing productivity, it may be worth asking, "What would I be delighted to spend time on, even if it went slowly?" Direct your energy toward figuring out how to start what you want to do rather than thinking about how to shorten what you don't want to do.

James Clear

Writer at JamesClear.com

2w

This idea is from today's edition of my 3-2-1 Thursday newsletter. Each one features⁠ 3 short ideas from me, 2 quotes from others⁠, and 1 question for you to ponder⁠. You can see more of today's newsletter (and sign up to get it in your inbox) at https://jamesclear.com/3-2-1

Jerry Macnamara

Helping CEOs Scale without Stress | Franchise 500 (2x), Inc500 (2x) & Biz Journal Fast 50 (3x) + Trend Best Places to Work | Ultimate CEO | Proving Good Guys Finish 1st since 1974 | Host "Best Places to Lead"

2w

Instead of just speeding through tasks, focus on what truly excites you. Starting with what you love can make all the difference in how you approach productivity. Quality time over rushed results.

Sigute Zitikyte

Personal Branding for Multi-Passionates | Certified Business Coach

2w

It's similar to the concept of "build a career you don't need a vacation from". There comes a time when you have to look at what you're doing and why you need so many productivity hacks just to keep going. Have you overstayed your welcome?

Hmm. I suppose this makes sense if you have a choice regarding the things you don't want to do, but we often don't have a choice. In those cases, focusing on how to be more productive on the things we have to do (especially if we *don't* enjoying them) is all the more important. I sometimes find it valuable to measure, in regards to efficiency and productivity, myself (and sometimes others) on how well we do the things we do not like doing.

Manas Ram

Author | Public Speaker | High Performance Systems | Expert in Mental Wellbeing & Professional Development.

2w

Do it only if it aligns with your purpose, and values.

Clearly everyone post Covid is saying same undertone. Choose what you want to do & this narrative is possible because Employees saw opportunity to bring this narrative to employers/Superiors knowing reality of extended lockdown & compulsions on part of Superiors. Now there is tug of war between employees knowing benefit of able to choose work of liking/ immense benefit to mental health it brings & redundant hierarchy of Superiors whose job was to assign-->monitor--> report. Org has to decide what do you do to huge hierarchy it created in past decade...

Like
Reply
Ellen mulcrone

I help coaches, healers and practitioners to grow their creative/ wellness business. Combining strategy and energetics for a holistic approach to organic success. Goodbye burnout, hello soulful sustainable sales!

2w

Working out if the task needs to actually be scrapped or delegated is a much better place to start than trying to get better at doing something you don't enjoy!

In order to be more productive, we need to set strict deadlines. Establishing clear and firm deadlines will significantly increase our focus and productivity, as well as promote efficient time management. By having a specific timeframe to complete tasks, we are more likely to stay on track and avoid procrastination. The next crucial step is learning to say NO to people and prioritize what is truly important. This means identifying the tasks and activities that are essential to our goals and dedicating our time and energy to them. By doing so, we can eliminate time-wasting activities and distractions that do not contribute to our productivity. It’s incredible what can be achieved by maintaining sharp focus on one specific thing at a time.

Like
Reply
Kelsey Komorowski

Private Educator | EdTech Founder @ Komo | Teaching essential learning and life skills

2w

Love this! I teach time management and productivity to teens, and the first thing we always do is identify the stuff they LOVE doing and carve out time for it. It helps them see tools like the calendar - which is generally avoided at all costs - as a good thing that helps protect their free time and fun stuff🤓

Antonie Smith

Manaqer of Managers | Developing Staff to support Customer Goals | Career Opportunities! |

2w

Hi James Clear, keen to read your newsletter next - sharing something to support your post. In own life, found when I'm annoyed, frustrated, etc - I ask myself 'one question' - what's one quick thing I can do right now... Regardless what that thing is, I jump in and do it - even if getting up and making coffee. Found, by doing so promptly, creates the impetus to do more... and before you know it, whatever annoyed, frustrated emotions circled, are flushed away (no pun intended) - one things leads to next and so on Found great value in your book, Atomic Habits - maybe time to scan-read the summary notes again... 😊

Like
Reply
See more comments

To view or add a comment, sign in

Explore topics