My friend Alister Cameron has written a very poignant post entitled “If you don’t have Passion and Purpose, Greater Productivity won’t help you!” It’s not a quick, throw away read by any stretch of the imagination and Alister delivers a meaningful message. I daresay there may be an “aha” moment for many readers – there was for me. He begins:
If what you do with the best hours of your day is not also the thing you’re passionate about, stop right now!
Stop right now and confront the cold hard facts for what they are: no amount of effectiveness training, time management skills, productivity tips and tricks or goal setting know-how will replace the critical missing ingredient of your life: passion.
Continued The Ultimate Guide to Productivity
26 responses so far ↓
Rory // April 29, 2007 at 8:20 am
I don’t know why you add the cheeky wink at the end, Meg – that is an absolute truth you conclude with.
Most of the productivity ideas involve finding ways of getting away from the internet. I wonder why…
Meg // April 29, 2007 at 8:33 am
Hi Rory
You’re right – it IS a truth! Why the wink? I suppose it’s easier said than done (especially when you have an online business), and as far as a productivity tip goes – it’s a pretty lousy one!
Thanks for stopping by
Drive:Activated : I've got the ideas bug, and it's killing me! // April 29, 2007 at 3:03 pm
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Ben Yoskovitz // April 30, 2007 at 4:11 am
I concur with Rory, that’s a great ending. Of course for me, I’d probably scream and shout at the computer for an hour while the Internet was down, which isn’t terribly productive!
Meg // April 30, 2007 at 8:42 am
Hi Ben
Not to forget spending 45 minutes in queue to the ISP….
Thanks for dropping in
Alister Cameron // Blogologist // April 30, 2007 at 10:24 am
Great reflections Meg.
And you’re right… “self-actualisation” probably well sums up the place I’m at. Longing for a sense of convergence between my dreams and my 9-5.
Agree with all the comments above too. You make an important point.
Anthony // April 30, 2007 at 10:26 am
The lack of Internet contributing to increased productivity is so true.
I’ve got an old iBook that’s on its last legs which can only get net access via dial-up. I can’t stomach that for web surfing anymore but I use the little old laptop just clear emails and for writing. The lack of web based distractions while using it is beyond wonderful.
Phil // April 30, 2007 at 10:44 am
What I used to think of as procrastination, I now choose to think of as a personal lean-agile approach to life. So Meg you’re not procrastinating, you’re just waiting for the “last responsible moment”.
Kathie Thomas, VA // April 30, 2007 at 1:12 pm
I start to concentrate on writing when the internet is down, as opposed to spending a lot of time surfing and reading – but I need both! As long as the computer is still working…. Great read Meg.
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Meg // April 30, 2007 at 8:12 pm
Hi Alister – have to thank you again for that terrific post. I really actioned it today. Also, I enjoyed your pithy post http://www.alistercameron.com/2007/04/27/blogging-in-the-eye-of-the-storm/
Meg // April 30, 2007 at 8:16 pm
Hi Anthony
I “hear you”.
I see you’re indexing a lot of new Australian blogs at http://blogs.com.au which is really great!
Meg // April 30, 2007 at 8:17 pm
Hi Phil
I like your approach
Reminds me of school!
Meg // April 30, 2007 at 8:24 pm
Hi Kathie
You make a very valid point. “As long as the computer is still working…”.
Crikey, imagine where we’d be without the pc!
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Dawud Miracle // April 30, 2007 at 11:35 pm
Boy, I wish I could claim the same that I’m more productive when the internet goes down. Since I work on the web for a living, I need the web up. So I’m probably less productive when the web goes down – even with its big distraction.
Meg // April 30, 2007 at 11:46 pm
Hi Dawud
Yep me too (in that I work on the web for a living – NOT this blog, obviously). So I find life without the internet frustrating, as there are emails to be actioned immediately and obviously you require the internet to both receive the emails, and to action them.
However there ARE certain tasks that HAVE to be done that really don’t require the internet – like accounts, filing, clearing one’s desk, decluttering the inbox (hmm 2473 emails not filed – probably too many).
Internet outage is the perfect time
Ben Shaffer // May 3, 2007 at 12:49 am
I do all my work online as well and you know what I learnt?
When the internot goes down, instead of putting my feet up and wait for it to come back up, I take out a manual and read. I can not believe how much I learnt that I didnt know before.
I highly advise trying it.
Dawud Miracle // May 3, 2007 at 3:25 am
Yeah, I hear you. I usually leave that for the last 90 minutes of my day on Friday.
I also file daily, do account once-per-week and never let my inbox get over 100 messages. Then, every 6 months I take 5 consecutive mornings and throw away any email message that’s older than 1 month that I haven’t used.
Meg // May 3, 2007 at 9:13 am
Hi Ben, I’ll remember that one for next time – I just have to find where it put them
Dawud, that sound like a really efficient system
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Karl Craig-West // May 20, 2007 at 3:34 am
Like your article. I do time management training in Leicester in England and always enjoy learning about how people organise themselves.
Many thanks,
Karl
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