The Productivity Trap: Why Doing More Is Keeping You Stuck
For years, I thought productivity was about doing more.
✔ More tasks.
✔ More efficiency.
✔ More checkboxes.
If I wasn’t constantly optimizing, planning, and squeezing every second for maximum output, I was failing.
And at first? It worked.
I was getting things done. My to-do list was long, and I was checking off items like a machine.
But then something strange happened.
Despite all my so-called productivity, I felt like I was going nowhere.
❌ Busy, but not fulfilled.
❌ Efficient, but not effective.
❌ Always working, but never actually moving forward.
And that’s when I realized: The way we think about productivity is broken.
The False Promise of “Getting More Done”
Somewhere along the way, we all bought into a lie:
🛑 That the key to success is efficiency.
🛑 That if we just optimize our time perfectly, automate enough tasks, and use the right tools, we’ll finally get ahead.
But here’s the truth:
Productivity is not about getting more things done. It’s about getting the right things done.
And if you’re not careful, “being productive” can actually become the biggest distraction from what really matters.
I call it The Productivity Trap.
How The Productivity Trap Works
This is how most people approach work:
1️⃣ You feel overwhelmed. Too much to do, not enough time.
2️⃣ You try to optimize. Time-blocking, automation, and hacks to squeeze more out of your day.
3️⃣ You get efficient… at the wrong things. Answering emails faster, handling meetings smoother, but none of it actually matters.
4️⃣ You stay stuck in a loop of busyness. Always “doing,” never really progressing.
This is the scary part:
Productivity can feel like progress, even when it’s just motion.
And that’s exactly how I got stuck for so long.
I was checking boxes but not moving forward.
I was working hard but not working smart.
I was busy—but not productive.
The Real Secret to Productivity: Subtraction, Not Addition
I used to ask myself:
“How can I fit more into my day?”
Now, I ask a better question:
“What can I remove?”
Real productivity isn’t about adding more tasks.
It’s about:
✔ Eliminating distractions.
✔ Cutting useless work.
✔ Focusing on what actually moves the needle.
Here’s how I flipped my mindset:
1. Stop Optimizing the Unimportant
I used to spend hours tweaking my task manager, perfecting my schedule, and fine-tuning my workflow.
It felt productive, but in reality? It was just procrastination in disguise.
Now, I ask:
- Does this task even matter?
- Will this move me forward, or just make me feel busy?
Most of the time, the best way to be more productive is to stop doing half the things you’re doing right now.
2. The 80/20 Focus Shift
The Pareto Principle says 80% of results come from 20% of effort.
But most of us spend time on the 80% of tasks that don’t actually move the needle.
So instead of asking:
“How can I do more?”
I ask:
✔ What’s the 20% that will make the biggest impact?
✔ What can I cut without any real consequence?
Then, I ruthlessly focus on the high-impact 20%—and let go of the rest.
This was a game-changer for me. It’s not about doing everything. It’s about doing the right things.
3. Single-Tasking: The Real Superpower
I used to pride myself on multitasking.
But multitasking isn’t working faster—it’s working worse.
It’s just rapidly switching between tasks, losing focus each time.
Now, I do the opposite:
✔ One tab at a time. No distractions.
✔ One task at a time. Full focus, deep work.
✔ One decision at a time. No jumping back and forth.
It feels slower, but in reality? It’s 10x more effective.
4. The “Do Less, But Better” Rule
Most people try to do everything at 70% effort.
They spread themselves too thin, and their work suffers.
But the real magic happens when you:
✔ Do fewer things, but do them exceptionally well.
✔ Say no to everything that doesn’t align with your goals.
✔ Focus on quality over quantity.
Ironically, by doing less, you achieve more.
The Takeaway: Stop Measuring Productivity by Output
The biggest shift I made?
I stopped measuring productivity by how much I do.
Instead, I measure it by:
✔ How much progress I make on things that actually matter.
✔ How much energy I have left at the end of the day.
✔ How much freedom I create for myself by removing unnecessary work.
I stopped asking:
“How can I do more?”
And started asking:
“How can I do less, but better?”
If You’re Feeling Stuck, Try This
If you’ve been optimizing, planning, and working harder—but still feel stuck?
Try the opposite.
✔ Instead of doing more, do less—strategically.
✔ Instead of working harder, work on the right things.
✔ Instead of chasing efficiency, chase clarity.
Because the most productive people aren’t the ones who get the most done.
They’re the ones who do what matters—and ignore everything else.
That’s the secret.
It’s not about doing more.
It’s about doing less—but doing it better.