Purpose vs Productivity
How to slay the Panic Productivity Monster
If you’re a New Year’s resolution or goal-setting type of person, I hope this finds you pressing, practicing, and producing results that are helping you reach your goals. Everything is geared towards ensuring we’re not slacking or falling into the trap of “quitters day” (the second Friday of January). If you’ve fell off, don’t give yourself the “Well, I failed so I might as well stop now” excuse. Get back up and get in the saddle.
But sometimes, what we need in pursuit of all our “doing” and productivity is a break. When our minds are constantly racing towards the next task or item to tick off our to-do lists, we can forget the purpose of our goals.
As our season ramps up, my mind is flooded with reminders to double-check meet entries, workout plans, equipment, personnel, team budgets, and so much more, not even including my teaching responsibilities. I call this the panic productivity monster. With so much taking over my thoughts, I can quickly forget to be thoughtful. I easily forget I chose this profession to make connections, build relationships, and help people. In pursuit of productivity, I lose the purpose.
Now, don’t get me wrong—there is value in productivity. Productivity helps us create space for the things and people who matter most—relationship building and a growth mindset. If we skirt our responsibilities, we communicate to the people who matter most that they’re not worth our time. In my case, I’d display that I’m not acknowledging my athletes’ hard work and dedication or the value of our coach-athlete relationship. The same is true in my relationships. In the past, when I allowed the monster to take control, I never fully appreciated the successes and relationships with my athletes. The same is true of my wedding rehearsal day. I was so tense because I wanted every detail perfect for my bride-to-be that I didn’t allow my body to relax and fully enjoy the company of my family, friends, and the most beautiful woman in the world—my wife. In these scenarios, I was living in fear of not completing a task or not reaching a goal. However, I’ve learned—and am still learning—not to give the monster control anymore.
The best way I’ve found balance is by relying on lists and completing tasks as they come to mind. If I have the space and time to complete a task as it comes to mind, I find it better to do it instead of putting it off. However, if I don’t have the time, I use my reminders app to help me remember as the panic productivity monster attempts to invade my thoughts. Quickly adding reminders in this way helps put the panic productivity monster to sleep when I’m home or enjoying time with family and friends. I also removed my work email from my phone a while ago to help me further disconnect from the monster—in this way, I lose the feeling of always needing to be productive. For some people, like my wife, this isn’t an option as their job demands connectivity on the go. But for me, most of my work problems can be solved when I’m actually at work.
So if you’re a coach and you feel the weight of the panic productivity monster caving on your chest and invading your thoughts, stop—breathe. Make a list of everything that’s crushing you. Prioritize that list. Then, list who’s most important to you and how you can be there for them. You don’t have to let the monster win. You have everything you need to take control of your productivity.
If you’re a student-athlete, you can do something similar. Taking a break and reanalyzing your productivity is how you can get the most out of every day. Maybe consider taking social media off your phone until after school hours. The weight of productivity to always be connected—constantly updating your “snap” or status and keeping up with everyone else’s—is too daunting even for adults. Make reminders of your priorities in school and your sport. Be present in class and your workouts. Don’t allow them to overlap.
We can control our productivity. We don’t have to let the panicky productivity monster control our thoughts and actions. It’s about keeping who and what is of utmost importance in front of us at all times and not giving the panic productivity monster center-stage. Make your goals and—more importantly—your people the main attraction. They are who matter most, not your productivity.