A theory

I would like to propose a theory which I’ll call the magic wand theory. It’s an emergent idea, so bear with me. I think it could quite possibly be generally applied, because apparently the brain is lazy and tries to maximize efficiency (which could explain why I forget so much). Accordingly, rule one of the theory is this:

RULE ONE: Easy is better than difficult.

To stick to the blog theme, I apply it here to one of the most beloved terms of Organization: Productivity (the one with a capital P)

I’ve read lots about Productivity, tried many techniques and software “solutions”, and often been disappointed. It seems to me that Productivity in the popular culture (think business and self-help books) is merely about organising what to do and not about actually doing things, even when it contends the latter. The irony is that this kind of organizing is wholly unproductive: the opportunity cost of recording everything to do is time lost actually doing something. The fallacy: organizing everything is organizing anything is organizing nothing. This is summed up in rule number two:

RULE TWO: The idea of doing is better than actually doing. (A variation of rule one.)

Thus, I wave my magic wand and become Productive because the books and the methods and the tools tell me so; I sidestep experience and depth and failure.

Why is this nonsense?

What about other people?

They ride roughshod over my hard won Productivity by

  1. Giving me new things to do!
  2. Competing with my (limited) time and energy!

How dare they! My lovingly crafted schedule sinks into a never-ending productivity-planning death spiral.

What about time itself?

Yesterday’s priorities are today‘s reprioritization.

The goal, the ‘magic’, is having that perfect, beautiful to do list, and if I don’t have it, then I need to wave the wand again (ie. try the latest tool, method etc.)

Living in a box

All the productivity and time-management stuff, as it is packaged and sold, only works if you live isolated in a box: I can’t put on noise-cancelling headphones and sit in a café for eight hours “crushing it”; I don’t need to ‘10X’ or hack my productivity; I can minimize distractions, but I can’t ignore other people‘s legitimate demands.

A short list and trust

Of course I have long-term goals and a list of tasks—I’m not stupid! But, after giving up the superficial pretense that I have control over everything, the true magic lies in the control I really do have: what am I going to do now? And, if I have some time and love what I am doing, then focus and progress show up, ad hoc.

This post was inspired by joining Medium (one week free trial) and being hit with a torrent of productivity bs. I quit after five days.