August 17, 2009

Get In Gear Newsletter

a note from Cairene

I can feel it. I think most of us can. Summer isn't over, but we are aware we are in the final third of the season and our transition to the next is on the horizon. There is still time to do the things we want to do to celebrate the season. But only if we act. If we haven't yet done so, now is the time to seize the moment and fulfill our summer wish lists. In the garden fresh produce and dining al fresco departments I've done pretty well. But a few summer activities remain: riding a ferris wheel, swimming outdoors (in a natural body of water, not a pool), attending a concert on a lawn - somewhere. There is still plenty of time for these joys. What's still on your summer wish list? Do it! You have time. Savor all that remains of the season.

classes

the true discipline of time management
Become a Time Disciple with me! By the end of the year, you could be on your way to calm, prepared, energized, confident - and ready for anything.
> early bird ends this Friday! [details & registration]

the organic business manual
Reduce chaos, improve your creativity, and increase your bottom line - just by writing it down.
> enrollment for the fall session is now open [details & registration]

bite the candy
Have some fun finishing something you've been putting off and discover the treats at the bottom of your to-do list.
> next session: Thursday, August 27 [details & registration]

what does productivity mean to you?

Productivity.

I don't like the word. At least, I don't like what it has come to mean. The expectations it creates. And how we've come to turn it on ourselves. Our little businesses. Our lives. As though we are factories.

You are not a factory!

Seriously. Even if you are in the business of making goods for sale, you are not a factory.

And evaluating your day according to the ratio of the input of your labor to what you output - well, that's just asking for frustration and disappointment.

Quantity or quality?

Is it merely quantity of output that's necessary? Because feeling productive would be easy if it was. All of us are capable of busy work. But the problem with busy work is we end up with a lot to show at the end day, but not a lot to show for it. Which is usually pretty unsatisfying.

Even if we were productive, we don't feel productive. So we push ourselves to do more. But like eating empty calories, we are never satisfied - so quality of output also would seem to count for something.

But what if generating quality requires a sort of productivity you can't easily see or measure?

What if your best creativity comes from... walking the dog, tweeting, vacuuming, doing a bit of yoga, taking a class, reading other people's blogs and newsletters, doodling, digging in the garden, hanging out with friends, napping... and the bazillion other things that allow your brain to rest and process and learn and spark?

From that point of view it can seem to take much, much too long to create what you've output. Except maybe not. Because a tired and uninspired brain is going to struggle. It's going to take longer to create mediocre work. And it's going to be so much less fun.

There is a certain efficiency to be found in being deliberately "unproductive." And most of us know this on some level. We know the easiest way to be most productive in ways we feel good about is not to try to be productive all the time.

Yet this still can leave us feeling unsatisfied. Like we still haven't gotten it right. Like we still don't measure up. Because we are still evaluating our output by some vague yardstick of "productivity."

If you want to feel productive, you need to decide what that is for you.

You need to answer the question of: how much of what?

What kind of qualities are you in the business of producing?
And what would be enough to satisfy you?

What exactly are you measuring your productivity by?

The length of your to-do list?
The state of your inbox?
Your web stats?
Your bank balance?

-or-

Your energy?
Pleasure in your work (and life)?
The number of useful ideas you share?
The connections you make?
How much you help others?

If you ended your day still feeling joyful and energized, would you feel productive?
If you inspired one person with one idea this week, would you feel productive?

I'm all for efficiency, but only in the service of creating what matters in the ways you want to create it. So before you push yourself to do more this week - to be more productive - first ask yourself what you really want to produce.

• • • • •

If you'd like to develop a new yardstick of success - you can learn how to manage your time or refine your systems in ways that serve you - and don't leave you feeling like you've come up short. Register now - special early bird prices end soon.

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Mutually Exclusive | On doing and learning and socializing.
Anticipation | Excitement beyond relief.

let's chat

Like what you've read? Irked? Confused? Have a suggestion? Got a question? Let's start a conversation. I'd love to hear from you - send me a line, comment on the blog, or follow me on Twitter.

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Unless otherwise attributed, all material is written and edited by Cairene MacDonald.
© 2009 Cairene MacDonald, Third Hand Works. All rights reserved.

Cairene MacDonald
Third Hand Works
PO Box 31113
Portland, OR 97231
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from overwhelmed to ready for anything
organization and time management for people in their "right" minds

Third Hand Works | administrative guidance for independent creative professionals