Productivity is a good thing. The sense of accomplishment can be a genuine source of joy and satisfaction. Sometimes though, we forget why we are striving to be more productive.
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What’s really behind our drive for increased productivity?
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Isn’t the real reason we want to accomplish more in less time because we have other things we want to do besides work? We all have a mental list of enjoyable activities that we want to make time for.
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If you had the money and you had the time, what would you do? I’m pretty sure that there’s a good size list, right? Chances are that just thinking about it brings a smile to your face. There’s a strong anchor to happiness linked to that list, isn’t there? As soon as I have the time and the money I’m going to…
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So what do we do? Don’t we convince ourselves that increased productivity will ultimately result in increased happiness because it will allow us to do all those wonderful things on our list?
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Now let me ask, is that the way it’s worked out for you?
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The problem is that it’s way to easy to lose track of the big picture and become obsessed with becoming more and more efficient. Instead of spending the time we’ve created with our families or friends, we use it to get more done. We get sucked into doing more for the sake of increased productivity.
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Why does that happen? Is it because we all want to work our lives away without taking time to stop and smell the roses? Probably not!
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The real problem is that somewhere along the way we managed to confuse accomplishment with happiness. Those happy feelings attached to our list can become so closely associated with being productive; we start to think they’re the same.
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Happiness started as the inspiration for achievement, but somewhere along the way things got reversed. The problem is, when our happiness is anchored in achievement, we can easily fall into the trap of projecting our happiness into the future. We put conditions on when we will allow ourselves to be happy.
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We’ll take some time as soon as we:
- Pay off that last debt.
- Solve this one problem.
- Close this next deal.
- Get a little more money saved.
- Have a slowdown at work.
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Being more productive is great. Getting more done in less time is a good thing. But those are not legitimate reasons for putting your happiness off.
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Don’t lose your balance and allow the desire to accomplish more become an obsession. If this is what’s happening, take some time to think about your priorities. Make some adjustments now so your life doesn’t pass you by.
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It is absolutely vital that we strive to maintain a keen awareness of who we are right now, in this moment. Don’t get so caught up in compulsive accomplishment that you forget who and what are really important to you right now. Be happy now, don’t wait for someday because all to often, someday never comes.
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PS. Please don’t hesitate to leave a comment.
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