What is Productivity?

What does it mean to be a productive person? Why should someone strive to be productive? How does being productive affect others? How can one become a productive person? Is there a difference between productivity and impactfulness? If so, what is that difference? 

All these questions will be explored in this blog post.

Defining Productivity

At its core, productivity means doing something to achieve a positive outcome that brings you closer to your goals. However, it encompasses more than just basic action. Being productive highlights the consistent and effective use of one's time, energy, and resources to reach desired outcomes.

The most effective individuals—those often referred to as the "movers and shakers" of the world—are typically the most productive. They have mastered productivity by effectively utilizing their time, energy, and resources to achieve their desired results. They also possess clarity regarding their goals and have mapped out a path to reach them.

People have different goals in life, and because of this, the need for ultimate productivity varies. One person with ambitious goals might view others with fewer or no goals as lazy, while those with less grandiose objectives might see highly productive individuals as unable to relax and enjoy life. The sacrifices made to pursue larger goals may seem excessive and not worth it to some. Both perspectives are valid and could be debated indefinitely.

The Value of Productivity

The question then arises: should you strive to be a productive person? Society's answer is always "Yes." To live with purpose and fulfillment, you must aim to become productive. Achieving purpose and fulfillment is often found along the journey of pursuing your goals. As we mature, we come to understand the value of time; it is a resource that cannot be regained, as the clock only moves forward. Therefore, we must be mindful of how we spend our time and strive to maximize our outputs while minimizing our inputs.

Busyness vs. Productivity vs. Impactfulness

In the pursuit of productivity, some individuals end up merely being busy—a vastly different concept. Being busy is akin to being a firefighter focused on extinguishing small flames on your lawn while the entire house, with people inside, is still ablaze. While the satisfaction of putting out small fires may feel rewarding, it distracts from the major challenge that needs to be addressed.

In this scenario, true productivity would involve focusing on putting out the house fire, using the appropriate tools and resources to achieve this more quickly and efficiently, minimizing damage. 

Impactfulness, in this context, refers to helping others address their own house fires.

To clarify:

- Busyness = Engaging in activities that merely put out small fires.

- Productivity = The effective and efficient utilization of time, energy, and resources to work towards personal goals while also addressing significant challenges.

- Impactfulness = The ability to effectively use time, energy, and resources to leave a lasting impression on others.

The most memorable individuals are those who are the most impactful. They go beyond pure productivity and strive to help as many people as possible in meaningful ways.