It’s time to ditch our obsession with productivity and get more creative!
If you think of it, productivity became a real thing with the industrial revolution. Since then, most of us moved from industrial to knowledge work. Yet, productivity remains a significant way for workers, companies, even countries to compare with each other.
But a singlehanded focus on productivity misled entire generations. We all became overly anxious about managing our time, and many of us have fallen sick – if not worse – because of the induced stress.
Remember Stakhanov? The Soviet and Russian hero miner reportedly set a new record by mining 227 tonnes of coal in a single shift in 1935.
Stakhanov’s records set an example for the whole nation. They gave birth to the Stakhanovite movement that recognized workers who exceeded production targets.
It was all rigged! Years later, the Soviet newspaper Pravda confirmed that Stakhanov had used several helpers on support works. Millions spent their lives trying to increase productivity based on a lie orchestrated by the “Party” under Stalin’s second plan.
Fortunately, there’s an alternative for knowledge workers who want to stay at the top of their game while not losing their sanity. They have to pay full attention to the present moment. They need to handle their mental and emotional states while working on the task at hand.
Many books exist about such mindfulness and how it can help you find the right balance. Experts like Anne-Laure Le Cunff from Ness Labs even coined the term “Mindful Productivity.”
I won’t belabor the principles, but let me share the few things that help me stay focused on my work these days:
1 – I live in the moment—no need to rehash painful memories or think about hypothetical future problems. I was a different person then and will likely be another one tomorrow.
2 – I avoid multitasking— making a point of not looking at my emails, social media accounts, or any other distractions by using blocks of time. We all have our internal clock. For me, 15-minute blocks work well, followed by 5 minutes of mindful breaks to assess how I’m progressing.
3 – I nurture my curiosity. To optimize my productivity and creativity, I take the time to observe the world with a critical mind—asking myself open-ended questions like a 4-year-old child!
So, take a few minutes. Step back and think of how you, too, can improve your mindfulness at work. It will boost both your productivity and creativity.
And, you’ll become a stronger contributor!