Most people take a result-driven approach to their productivity method, focusing on completing a particular task to get a specific result. Results are important, but even with the best intentions and strategy, we don’t always get the result that we want. Focusing exclusively on the results that we desire puts a shadow on the steps to make it a reality. 

Instead, we need to conduct frequent experiments like a mad scientist. When we focus on the quality of our inputs, getting the results that we want becomes natural, more likely, and rewarding. We appreciate our progress, test ideas rapidly, and see the connection between our efforts and reaching specific goals. 

In this article, I’ll share three ways to increase your productivity: how to get the most out of your time, set goals like a champ, and balance your professional and personal goals.

Result vs. Process Productivity Methods 

There is an ongoing debate about what is more effective: process or results. 

Here’s a cheat code—if you want to achieve more, a process-driven productivity method is the best approach. Some characteristics are that it’s agile and holistic. It incorporates not just the things you want to accomplish professionally but also your personal goals. 

Why have you been getting stuck or frustrated? 

The result-oriented culture that we live in has taught us to value the outputs of life more than the inputs. It’s external markers of success like reaching a sales goal or publishing a book and having millions of readers right out of the gate. 

Goals like these can be helpful to metrics, but they are only the first ingredient of being productive. Examining the full spectrum of our efforts, even if we aren’t “successful,” is the opportunity to shift into a more enlightening productivity method. 

Outcomes are Teachers

In my book Productivity Techniques, I talk about how outcomes are different from results. They are what we learn from our efforts. You can think of them as the result of a result. 

Many people ask if the learning process is more important than the end result. Chasing results can blindside us on the experience we are going through—who we become, the choices, decisions, and the character-building that comes with pursuing our goals. 

What we learn is far more useful than the results if we are willing to examine it. It doesn’t come easy, though. A sense of pain is paired with not reaching our goals. And when do we succeed? Well, we’re great then, so there’s no need for analysis. 

Anytime we put an effort or intention to do something differently, this input leads to an output distinctly different from the result we may or may not achieve. It’s how we learn. It’s our history. Our teacher. 

Input always equals output, no matter if we don’t reach the results that we want. Why? When we take action, there is always an opportunity to learn something new—a clue that will help us improve the next time we try again.  

1. How to Use Your Time 

Most people make the mistake of working too long and get burned out. Working in intervals is the best way to complete tasks. It allows you to focus deeply on everything you have for a limited time; then you get to rest.

The core idea is to work for less time but more frequently. Breaking up big projects into intervals does wonders for your emotions. You become attached to completing the time instead of chasing a result. You create a cycle of wins.

In addition, when you hit the timer, you’ll be amazed at how it creates positive urgency, unleashing creativity and focus that open-ended work can block. 

Working in intervals is the best way to complete tasks. They are highly focused on specific tasks but have a clear beginning and end. It’s a quantifiable in and out that creates separation from the emotions surrounding the result that we want. 

Holding ourselves accountable to time rather than results frees us to focus on what’s in our control. When our stopwatch ends, we can take a break and move on to other activities with a sense of accomplishment. 

We feed our emotions even if we are far from reaching our goal.

2. How to Set Goal the Right Way

The first mistake that highly productive people make with goal setting is that they lump all of their goals together. There are two distinct goals types that no one will tell you about: deep goals and sprint goals.

Your big picture goals are your deep goals. They take long periods of time to achieve. They are things like having an amazing relationship or a highly successful business. Sprint goals take one step to complete. They are tangible, and are the steps to reaching your deep goal.  

Big picture goals are abstract and bold. They’re hard to accomplish. Why? Because they are elusive. We think of them in abstract and aspirational language. Our thought process does not give us clues to reach them. They are soaking in emotions. 

Do you want to get better at setting goals? 

Break your goals down into digestible bits, separating them more clearly than you ever have before. Become an expert at extracting the small components that are task bound, actionable steps you can quantify. These are sprint goals. 

Use timed intervals to work on them incrementally, without losing perspective of your deep goal in the process. Reward yourself for making consistent progress on specific activities that are related to your deep goals.

3. How to Stay Balanced

We need to take a 360 view of our productivity. We need to be holistic, being intentional with each area, we give ourselves clear things we can work towards. We feel more fulfilled because we are working on the individual parts and whole that make up who we are.

All too often we focus on being productive at work and forget to prioritize the other aspects of who we are. We don’t make time to feed our souls because our bank account is yelling at us. But our needs are more dynamic than that. 

We can work as hard as we can and get burned out. What’s missing isn’t firing off another email or adding an extra zero to your bank account. It could be a bike ride, a phone call to a friend or family member, or a date with your spouse.  

We have a dimensional experience. When we make time for it, we become happier and more fulfilled. Work is important, but it’s not the only thing that drives our soul. The game we need to play is stacking up time in the five categories of life, our goal channels: health, work, relationships, community, and spirituality. 

Compartmentalizing who we are at work, at home, and in our community—it leads to disjointed lives, behaviors, and personalities. We need to be who we are everywhere, in the sense of goals, vision, and purpose. 

The next level is integrating it all. When we can incorporate what we do in all areas—the degree to which we can do this—will determine our balance and harmony.

Focusing on Quality Inputs

Regardless of your productivity method, focus on using your time on specific tasks using timed intervals. Break apart your short-term and long-term goals clearly, and create balance by focusing on all the areas that make up who you are, not just work. 

When you want to be productive, what you’re really after is achievement. The problem is that no one told you the recipe for achievement has three ingredients: results, outcomes, and feedback.

Most people only focus on results. We can make our best attempt, but we still miss our targets. When this happens, it doesn’t mean we failed. It means we are learning. Our prime focus should be on the variables that we can control: quality inputs. 

Everything you want to achieve comes down to being productive. Whether at work or home, your productivity level will dictate the decisions you make, the people you associate with, how you handle setbacks, and how you view your potential. It is the ultimate output of your life.

Is Productivity Really Important for Success?

When we think of productivity, we often associate it with motivation, procrastination, and goals. Productivity is a hodge-podge term that correlates with being a successful person. We equate success in life to being highly productive, achieving goals, making lots of money, and mastering our destiny.

But if productivity is the key to success, why do we often find ourselves in a constant battle with it? What are the barriers that prevent us from reaching our full potential? And perhaps most importantly, how can you truly master the art of productivity? 

Being Intentional with Time

Part of the recipe for productivity is being intentional with your time. It doesn’t matter who you are—you will have to make decisions, which means cutting out other possibilities, taking risks, and constantly putting yourself in a position where you might fail. 

Being productive is about being open to consistent failure because, without it, we wouldn’t be able to test our ideas, carve out our unique path, adapt to situations, and see what sticks in the world.

Productivity Reflects Your Perspective

Being productive is a crucial skill because it influences your perspective on life. Your belief in yourself and what you see is possible paints the picture of your reality. 

Being productive reflects your perspective, worldview, and beliefs. It’s how you say YES to possibilities. Things to consider:

• How creative do you think you are?
• How well do you make decisions?
• How well do you pivot?
• How well do you handle conflicts?
• How open are you to new ideas?

Your answer to these questions says a lot about how productive you are personally and professionally. 

Personal and Professional Productivity

We tend to be more detailed and specific, even hardcore, about our work schedules but don’t put that same intention behind our personal productivity. Part of what we are missing in our approach to being productive is looking at each area of our lives and taking a holistic view. 

Too often, we focus on what is urgent or what pays us money but don’t prioritize what pays us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Being genuinely productive is more than just reaching goals with our business. Work is a dominant force, but we have to make time to develop each dimension of our life behind our job.

We are more than the money we make or title—we are mothers, fathers, children, members of a community, citizens, and spiritual beings living in a world of endless energy. Finding the balance between practical things like paying mortgages, raising kids, getting promoted, launching a business, staying healthy, and having fun is the hallmark of productive individuals.

So what do we do about it?

Iteration and Intervals

Our personal energy ebbs and flows, so it’s not reliable. Because of its volatility, we have to find a better way to create predictability in an unpredictable world. Buying clear with our actions, using timed intervals, is the magic bullet to help you focus on the present and gives you superhuman clarity. 

Iteration is a key concept to designing your day around what is most important. We will have to tackle boring and mundane tasks to reach our goals, but using timed intervals gives us both focus to perform decisively and relief when the time is over.

We have to give ourselves space to breathe in between working and thinking. Burnout is a real thing that leads to lost focus, procrastination, bad attitudes, and excuses.

Aligning Thoughts and Actions

We will never be perfect, but pursuing perfection is a worthy goal. Like organizing our home to perfection, we can do well by organizing our minds. Actions aligned with those thoughts will follow.

We are a walking experiment, adapting, evolving—becoming bigger and stronger—if we choose it. Instead of waiting for a “better” opportunity, iterate your way along your path. Break down your big goals into smaller ones, tackling the ones in iteration. Taking a bite-sized approach to your product activity will help you stay motivated and not lose sight of your objectives. 

The Productive State of Mind

When you feel like you can handle any obstacle, challenge, or situation, you are naturally inspired. Looking at the world positively influences those around you and is a sign that you are a highly productive person. Being a rock, no matter the battle or circumstance will help inspire you to take more risks, make decisions in the face of uncertainty, and feel grateful for the good you have in your life.

While we may not always get the results that we want, any wholehearted attempt at achievement is never wasted. Failures can be heartbreaking, but looking at each one as a lesson will ensure that you have a productive state of mind that serves your unique goals, desires, and what you want to achieve in the world.

Final Thoughts

Productivity is more than just achieving goals; it’s a reflection of who you are and your approach to life. Can you adapt and grow? Can you rise to the challenges that fall on your path?

By managing your time intentionally, balancing all areas of life, and maintaining a positive, resilient mindset, you can enhance your productivity and achieve more with your time.

It’s been a challenging year.

I’ve done more than I ever have and also have been lazier than ever. The ebb and flow of my attention and focus has been like the dog from Up.

Can you relate?

Do you wonder which social media platform you should focus on? Where are your people? How can you connect with them? 

I was recently impressed with the level of detail in Spotify Wrapped. Man o man, how cool is that? 

It’s a custom-tailored content frenzy about my listening habits, even with a musical personality type akin to the Myers Briggs assessment.

Spotify Wrapped Content 

Is there any content that is more personal and shareable at the same time? Every screen is noteworthy, stroking your ego while giving you multiple options of content to share.

This is an interesting concept of companies generating content for their users to share with their audience. It’s self-promotion and advertising at the same time.

But it’s a win-win and feels OOO so good.

They feel honorable in the experience they provide. They make it about delivering the best possible music experience, and they take it further by adding personality and emotion.

Spotify is a brand that has it right. They make oodles of money, but they put their users first, and all of the AI and custom-curated playlists make me come back every hour of the day. 

Music Colors the Past and Present 

I listened to over 2.7K artists and streamed 29K minutes of music.

I’m a musician, so I get a lot emotionally from playing and listening to music. It’s cathartic to do both. Even with my songs, though, they can be a bittersweet time capsule taking you right back to where you were emotionally when hearing a piece of music. 

There are some artists like Tycho and Tone Ranger that I listen to over and over again, and the emotional center of the music changes as I do.

Understanding and connecting with your emotions is critical to making good music. But it can also be hard to dip into previous wounds or experiences. 

It is both a strength and weakness that can lead to overthinking, living in the past, and not being grateful for the experience of the living, breathing present moment.

Meditating with a Buddhist Monk

I always go back to the ancients who have mastered their emotions. They do it not by denying or submerging their emotions in the wells of their minds but by embracing them as they happen. 

Emotions, especially triggered by music and past experiences, are visceral, bringing up those moments in time with the same feelings and biases. 

Not long ago, I meditated at the local Buddhist temple. They asked if I wanted to talk with the monk.

Naturally, I said yes.

When I walked up the stairs and sat in front of this rather younger-looking monk, I noticed that he was smiling and didn’t seem to be removed from the emotional experience of mere mortals like myself. 

From how I remember it, he told me to bring my mind back when other thoughts come up. It’s not hard but very simple. Bring yourself back to the present moment when your thoughts and emotions lead you astray. It’s a constant practice and does get easier, but no one is free of it.

Returning to the Present Moment

Everyone must come back to the present moment. There’s no other magic about it than that. A level of effort will always be required, no matter how skilled you become. 

Spotify has been great at helping me connect to the past, but next year, I plan to use the ever-flowing music stream not to dip back into past pains but return to the present experience.

Here is some piano music that I recorded a while back. I don’t promote my music, but if you find yourself in a quite space, I hope this helps you relax and connect. Enjoy!