“Productivity can be its own reward.”

Our world is centered around productivity. At work, many of us are told to cram in as much work as we can into our hours to get as much done, so the cogs and wheels keep turning. Deadlines and timelines hang overhead ensuring that we stay on top of things and remain as productive as possible.

Recently, I’ve been noticing that productivity isn’t simply about avoiding missed deadlines, or getting things done. It can be a feeling of accomplishment as well. On days where I find myself less productive, I am sometimes left wishing I’d done more…but not because I will have more to do the next day, or because something was missed. I find myself wishing I’d done more simply because the feeling of making the most of every day can be a rewarding feeling on its own (there are a ton of entries about “letting go” and “taking it easy”, so on these days, that is how I should be approaching it).

Productivity isn’t just about how much work we fit into our work day. Its mostly about maximizing the things that you do in every minute of every day of your life. If you’re working, don’t be distracted by other more tempting things. If you’re relaxing, don’t be distracted by guilt, or work you COULD be doing.

That wonderful feeling of productivity stems from the fact that you can look back on a day and say: “I did my best”. THAT is the true definition of productivity, and that has its own rewards that can be isolated from the actual fruits of your labours. Meeting deadlines and getting things done is great, but looking back and knowing you were the best possible self and that you made the most of as many moments in the day, is an even greater reward.

“Rather than brushing aside, ask WHY.”

There are many things that we do and say throughout the day. Often, it’s just a product of our habits, and personality. Every once in a while though, we do or say something that seems to catch us off guard. It may sound like something we wouldn’t normally say, or it may be an action we wouldn’t usually take. Whatever it is, a small bit of reflection or introspection can be a great benefit when it happens.

Take a look at what you said or did that seemed ‘out of character’. When you have a chance to pause, do so, and ask yourself why you think you did/said what you did. Are you feeling more inspired than usual? Are you feeling more drained? Have the circumstances in your life recently changed? Has anything changed in the last few months? Spend a quiet few minutes reflecting on these questions, on yourself, on your surroundings, and you will slowly discover the WHY. After that, you can determine if the WHY is something to watch out for, or something to nourish.

While you want to reflect, you DO NOT want to obsess. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, sometimes it takes time to process our actions and circumstances on a subconscious level. Sometimes when the incident is still fresh, we are overwhelmed by it and can’t think properly. For this reason it may be a good idea to take a few quick notes to reflect on later. And if your reflection doesn’t really come up with an answer, then accept that fact for the time being and move on. Dwelling unnecessarily can become frustrating, so its important to know yourself well enough to back off or move on.

Sometimes we just have very good, or very bad days that can momentarily make us break out of our regular patterns. And that’s all right too. There may not be a deeper layer to this break in pattern, and if that is the case, then simply move on. But if there is something to be learned, something wonderful that can be integrated, then you should make an effort to do so.

We may just have good/bad days. But sometimes, our reactions could be the start of something new, something wonderful. Understanding it is the first step to determining what to do (if anything) with it.

“Rather than indulging in habit, try something new.”

The other day I was at a library looking through their DVD section for a Friday night “no brainer” movie to wind down the week with. The usual movies stood out. Somewhere in the back of my mind, a list of blockbuster movie titles was slowly being scanned through, seeing if I would find any of the titles on the shelf. Lo and behold, there were at least 3 of them right in front of me. Immediately, I reached forward for them when I saw another title from a movie I hadn’t ever heard of before. “The Man From Earth” did not look like a blockbuster at all, and it was a bit of a change from the usually upbeat movies I watch at the end of the week. Still, deciding to shake things up a bit, I took the movie out and instead of watching my regular “no brainer” action or adventure flick, I watched this movie instead. By the end of the movie, my mind was racing…but not with the adrenalin that most “cheap thrill” action movies leave you with. This left me pondering possibilities I hadn’t ever considered, and that was better than any adrenalin rush. It was different. It was exciting.

Routine is a fantastic thing to have. It brings order and stability and discipline to life. It helps us relax when the rest of the world seems to be chaotic. But for all of its benefits, it also has its downsides. Relying too much on routine can eventually become comfortable, and can be preferable to trying something new.

It’s important to shake things up just a bit, even if it’s minor, just to stimulate your senses, and look at things from a different perspective. If you have a set routine for winding down for the night, try shifting things around a bit. If not, try something entirely new. Instead of watching the usual youtube clips, try a TED talk (www.ted.com) instead. Instead of reading on your ipad, pick up a book and read it. Instead of jogging on a treadmill, go outside if possible. Instead of seeing your usual movies, try something different.

If you shake things up just a little bit, you will find hidden surprises that you could have never expected. That and, everyone should watch “The Man From Earth” at least once 😉