The Key to Productivity | ep152
I used to start Mondays with a huge to-do list.
Inspired and energized, I would look at my list and think—
“This week is going to be different than the last, I’m actually going to be on top of it.”
By Wednesday, however, anxiety would start to creep in. I would look at my list and realize that I had barely gotten anything done.
Frustrated, I would berate myself, telling myself that I had 48 hours to get my life together, and actually be productive.
By Friday, the list was mocking me.
Sure, I had accomplished some goals, but there were so many tasks left over. At this point, self-judgment would kick in hard, and I would tell myself that I was lazy, and not focused enough.
After the shame spiral was done, I would convince myself next week would be different.
And starting on Monday the cycle would start all over again.
Here’s a truth: our to do-lists are never going to get shorter.
In fact, if you’re a dreamer—which I know you are, because you’re part of this amazing community—then the list is only going to get even longer and more challenging.
If we define how productive we are off of our never-ending lists then we are always going to fall short.
We can’t change how much we need to do, but we can change our relationship with how we get it done.
Love, productivity is a feeling.
It’s the moment that you finally say to yourself
“This is enough.”
The goals are endless. The lists keep getting longer. And if you base your productivity based on the external factors then you will never be doing enough.
You see in the past, I was actually getting a lot done. I was productive af. But, I wasn’t acknowledging my productivity. So I thought I wasn't productive.
And because I believed I wasn't productive, I wasn't motivated to do anything. Which made me quite literally unproductive.
So it became this toxic cycle.
The answer to being productive is not in getting more done, love. It's allowing yourself to actually feel productive.
So how can we feel productive?
1. We acknowledge our accomplishments.
We take the time to celebrate and enjoy our achievements. The smaller the better. We don’t wait until we cross off big goals to do a dance, to pat ourselves on the back, or to text our friend with a big “I DID IT!”. We savor every little damn thing we do.
2. We do less.
So often the daily/weekly to-do lists we create for ourselves are well-meaning but far too long and just not feasible. Years ago I created 3:3:1, a daily to-do list that helped me prioritize what was most important but was also realistic.
I start each day by writing down 3 professional goals, 3 personal goals, and 1 intention. I make sure that the goals I create are challenging but also small enough that I can actually get them done. Anything I do that's extra is just the cherry on top.
But, here's the sneaky thing, we actually do become more productive the more we feel productive.
You see, when we start to celebrate ourselves and do less, the more productive we feel. And so we start to believe that we are productive. This in turn, makes us more motivated, which then means we actually tangibly get more done. So in fact, we do become more productive.
But that's not the goal, love. That's just the cherry on top!
Listen to the podcast (above or here) where I break down exactly how you can utilize 3:3:1 and using my Productivity Protocol.
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About your host, Shirin Eskandani
Hi, love! I’m Shirin.
Coach, speaker, writer, and life alchemist.
I teach you how to listen to your intuition again, tune out all the BS, and let your heart lead the way.
Because once you strengthen your inner GPS, decisions become easier, boundaries become clearer, and belly laughs become a daily thing.
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME:
I’m a certified life coach (accredited through the International Coach Federation)
My husband and I met on Instagram and we live in Brooklyn, NY with our plant babies
I have a masters degree in Music and was a professional opera singer for twelve years. I worked all over the world singing on stage at Carnegie Hall and the Metropolitan Opera (more on that later…).
I believe in the woo just as much as I do the work (internal and external). No amount of crystals and affirmations will make up for a lack of a healthy mindset and aligned action.
I love all the Real Housewives franchises. Don’t make me choose one… seriously, don’t.