One Apple A Day #506 - be more to do more
I've been struggling with productivity since forever. I've always seen myself as a lazy person. Probably this is why I love so much to study tools, tactics, and strategies to be more productive. I want to find out how a lazy person can be productive at the same time. I can't remember how many things I've tried from goal settings, "Pomodoro" techniques, time management, early rising, focus bubbles, daily habits and so on. I haven't found the perfect solution for myself, yet. But through all this experimenting and play I've learned one important thing. Behaviors that are not in tune with who I am don't last.
You see, my problem has always been that I can get a lot done in one hour and waste a full afternoon doing nothing. When I was a kid, I was able to read a very long book in two hours, and then I couldn't finish my homework in a whole afternoon.
Our behaviors are - usually - a reflection of our identity. And this is why we typically fail with productivity tools and strategy. We force them upon our identity instead of shaping them around our identity.
Most of the productivity methodologies aim at increasing what you produce (having) focusing on improving the process (doing), but in doing so, they overlook what you believe (being). But if your doing is not aligned with your being, it's like rowing against the current. At some point, you'll give up.
Any effort to become more productive, as an individual or team, should start by focusing on who you are; your identity and beliefs. Be more to do more.