I think it’s fair to say I never thought I’d be writing about ‘porn’ on this blog. But the phrase ‘productivity porn’ encapsulates a problem so well, I don’t think it can be avoided.
There’s a certain kind of client I come across from time to time, whose knowledge of the productivity literature is deep and impressive. And yet, they have sought me out for coaching on this very topic. The reason? They’ve been treating productivity like an exciting hobby, rather than a pragmatic approach to getting meaningful work done in a sustainable way.
In other words, they focus on reading more about the topic, without getting their feet wet. Alternatively, they flip and flop between approaches before a method could ever realise them any benefits. They find themselves in a constant state of starting out.
Hence: ‘Productivity porn’.
“Joining a Facebook Group about creative productivity is like buying a chair about jogging” – Merlin Mann
Wait. Is he talking about me?
Yes, I might be. Let’s see:
- Are you the kind of person whose bookshelves are littered with pop psychology and productivity books, yet you’ve failed to put their recommendations into practice for any meaningful length of time?
- Do you find yourself endlessly googling for ‘life hacks’ or ‘productivity tips’, such that it negatively impacts your actual productivity?
- Do you download countless apps that make great promises about what they’ll do for your productivity, but move from one to the other in quick succession?
- Has reading about how you can be more productive stopped you from making a start on your task list?
Does any of this sound familiar?
How did I get here?
One of the challenges with becoming more aware of our productivity is that we can get attracted to new ways of working for their novelty factor. So, when we cultivate positive habits, we feel the benefits of making changes and want to make more. This means that, instead of consistently using the approach or method that’s actually getting us results, we seek out new ways of doing things, to see just how much more productive we can be.
To use an analogy, it’s a bit like trying a diet for a week but, before there’s a change on the weighing scales, abandoning it and trying a new diet.
Add to this the fact that the internet is full to the brim of opinion, resources and suggestions for how to be more productive, and you could spend your entire working day surfing for tips.
Productivity porn means we’re attracted to reading about – and trying out – new productivity apps and systems, rather than actually knuckling down and implementing them consistently.
The problem with this tendency is obvious: it’s a form of distraction. And we’re inflicting it on ourselves! It also looks like serious work, but is more like procrastination. We can get caught in a state of permanent ‘preparation’, without making any meaningful progress.
What can I do?
First of all, be honest with yourself. Are you using a focus on experimenting with being productive as an alternative to tackling your task list? Does your leap from app to app cause more disruption that its promised benefits? Might there be something to be said for leaving your processes – and your apps – the way they are for a while?
There’s definitely a balance to be struck between rejecting any sort of change and being attracted to change for change’s sake. But when reading about productivity becomes a time-consuming alternative to actually getting meaningful things done, it’s time to make a change.
Periodically evaluating your way of working can be beneficial. But think about doing it quarterly or on a six-monthly basis. Weekly changes to your apps and systems are unlikely to be anything more than time-consuming distractions.
If you come across an article that could potentially be useful, save it for reading as part of your periodic review. ‘Pocket’ is a great free app that allows you to save content for later offline consumption. The same goes for new apps you may come across. Make a note of anything that seems interesting and return to them when you have time – don’t make it a priority.
The bottom line: activity is not the same as progress. There is no one perfect app. Productivity porn is a distraction disguising itself as something useful.
