The Truth About Productivity Systems [Another List]
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I used to read blogs about productivity like a marathoner drinks water. I frequented blogs like 43Folders and PutThingsOff and ZenHabits, but ended up wasting more time than I saved.
Here are five truths about productivity systems that nobody else will tell you:
- They only work for people who don’t have very much to do.
- They add more tasks to your day (list management, calendar management, contact management, etc).
- They’re too general to work for your specific issues.
- The people that publicize them don’t usually use them.
- The only benefit is that you’ve been able to track your time throughout the day, but who needs that if you’re getting everything done anyway.
If I’ve demolished your perfect little productive world, I’m sorry. I love you enough to tell you the hard truth about how you waste your day.
As a great substitute for a full productivity system, find a great virtual assistant and use the heck out of it. I like Backpack by 37Signals. It’s simple to use, powerful, and effective. No systems needed; just a good tool.
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Agreed, Scott. For the record, I’ve never taught productivity ’systems’. I just tell people to pick up a pencil and get on with it!
Nick Cernis’s last blog post..Moleskine Notebooks: The Ultimate Guide (and how to rank your addiction)
Nick, You’re right. You don’t teach productivity systems, I just wanted to list a couple blogs that I frequented. I should have clarified that yours is the only one that I still subscribe to. Sorry for the misrepresentation.
No problem, Scott. You’re right on point with the post — learning productivity just gives us more to do!