Redefining Productivity: Doing Less, Leading More
Why? Because we need to.
Some days, I feel like I have to speed up just to slow down. Between my grandson’s toddler whirlwind, my dad’s care, my students’ needs, my own healing, and the swirl of life tugging at every corner of my name — I’m still trying to figure it all out.
We glorify busyness like it’s some badge we’re supposed to pin to our chest, but lately I’ve been rethinking what productivity truly means. It’s not the crowded checklist or the frantic motion. It’s the heart behind the doing.
This month, I asked myself a hard question: Does this task align with my purpose, or is it just a habit I’ve rehearsed for years? When the answer leans toward habit, I stop. I breathe. I try to choose differently, I have not perfected it yet.
Because living the I/O life isn’t about doing more — it’s about knowing when to move, when to make space, and when to honor the quiet wisdom of the pause.
I/O Psychology Insight
I/O Psychology tells us that sustained performance depends on autonomy and recovery. According to self-determination theory (as you know, one of my favs), humans thrive when they experience autonomy, competence, and relatedness. When we pack our schedules without intentional breaks, we hijack those needs (ask me how I know). #Guilty
The data is clear: micro-breaks, flexible scheduling, and meaning-driven goals all increase engagement and lower turnover. But it’s not just for organizations — it’s for us.
Real-Life Application
Redesign your personal “workday.” Whether you run a company or a classroom, build in recovery cycles: 90 minutes of focus, 15 minutes of recharge. Schedule “white space” just like meetings. Call it thinking time if you must.
Yes, “whitespace” can mean doing nothing, because doing nothing is doing something.
Remember: leadership is less about being everywhere and more about being effective where you are. Mic drop!
Reflection Prompt
What tasks in your life look productive but actually drain your purpose? Which actions feel restorative yet rarely make your calendar?
Action Step / Call to Harmony
Choose one weekly ritual of rest — no guilt attached. Label it “strategic renewal.” Because productivity without peace is just motion without meaning.
What is mine, you ask? My strategic renewal is to get back to reading each night for the rest of this month.
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Be Kind to yourself,
Dr. A