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Subject: Do this to be more productive this week (hint: it’s not what you think)
I have a complicated relationship with productivity.
Almost as complicated as my relationship with The Bachelor.
I hate it… I love it… I’m ashamed of myself for watching it…
Okay, back to productivity.
Usually, when people say “be productive”, what they really mean is “create something I can see with my eyes that will confirm you did something valuable with your time”.
There’s a sneaky belief woven into the tapestry of “productivity” that tricks us into thinking our value as people is dependent on our ability to produce.
Part of me wants to resist productivity altogether, just out of principle.
But that’s throwing the baby out with the bathwater. (Side note — where did that expression come from? It’s awful.)
Instead of resisting productivity, I want to redefine what it means to be productive.
For me, productivity is anything I do that serves my life, my relationships, or my businesses.
And that, my friends, includes rest.
Rest is extraordinarily productive.
Not only does resting help me recharge my people and business batteries, it also gives my mind a chance to be at ease.
And guess what?
We get our best, most creative ideas when our minds have empty space to wander.
It’s true! There’s research to back it up.
When I start feeling overwhelmed and burnt out, it’s usually because I haven’t been resting.
And when I’m not resting, it’s usually because I’m stuck in capitalistic conditioning that I need to be “more productive”.
My dad, also an entrepreneur, used to say, “You can sleep when you’re dead!”, anytime he’d see me resting… still paying for therapy to untangle the mess that left in my brain.
We all have some version of that message holding us back from being productive.
And I mean being productive in ways that feel good, energizing, and creative.
Which often involves naps.
And binge watching Netflix.
And spending more time with the family members we like.
Here’s my suggestion for you this week…
Take an unexpected day off in the middle of the week for rest.
Each time you feel panicky or guilty, pause and take a breath.
Remind yourself that you are being productive.
You’re giving your body a chance to recharge and your mind an opportunity to wander.
You’re giving yourself room to think creatively, to solve complex problems, to get excited about the work you’re doing.
And if that’s not productive, I really don’t know what is.
I’m curious, does this message resonate with you?
Reply and let me know. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this one.
Talk soon,
Maegan
