Productivity with Purpose: How Values Can Transform Your To-Do List

Break free from the productivity trap by aligning your efforts with what truly matters.

Productivity is a word that, I think, adds anxiety and a sense of overwhelm for many people. I believe it's because we think of productivity as having to become very efficient at everything on our task list to accomplish everything possible. I don’t subscribe to that belief at all. Ideally, productivity should be about creating something in the world that we want to exist. 

Each person has values, just like a company does. If you’re able to articulate those values to yourself, it will really help with decision-making around where you want to be productive. For example, if you value family, be specific about what that means. Is it spending quality time together, or is it having memorable experiences? Is it teaching and guiding them? 

The same idea applies to your career. Do you value your career because you want to progress up the ladder, or is it about being the best at what you do regardless of your title? It could mean many things. It could mean wanting to do something you’ve never done before, working for a global company, or experiencing new cultures through your work. 

When you know your values and what they mean to you, look at your to-do list and see where you can maximize the things that matter most. Perhaps there are things you don’t need to do or could delegate. It’s easier said than done, but it’s a helpful exercise. Productivity can then become about producing something of value rather than just getting stuff done.