Episode 01 | What is Productivity?

Episode Summary 

 In this debut episode of The Better Workday Podcast, host Niamh Moynihan delves into the layered and complex concept of productivity.

What begins as a simple question—"What is productivity?"—quickly unfolds into an exploration of four interconnected layers: the traditional definition, the act of being productive, feeling productive, and viewing yourself as a productive person.

Niamh shares relatable examples, actionable insights, and thought-provoking questions to help you redefine and enhance your understanding of productivity.

Key Takeaways

Four Layers of Productivity:

• Traditional Definition: Productivity = Output ÷ Input.

• Being Productive: Completing tasks or activities, though it doesn’t always ensure value or impact.

• Feeling Productive: How feedback, perceived progress, and hindsight shape your sense of accomplishment.

• Viewing Yourself as Productive: How self-perception influences confidence and long-term motivation.

Productivity Is Not Just Output:

• Traditional measures (e.g., number of tasks completed) don’t always capture the true value or impact of your work.
• Quality and relevance of output matter just as much, if not more.

Feedback Fuels Productivity:

• Regular, meaningful feedback helps bridge the gap between being and feeling productive.
• When tasks take longer to yield results (e.g., long projects), feedback becomes critical to maintain motivation.

Avoid the “Perfectly Productive” Trap:

• Nobody is productive 100% of the time—not even machines.
• Unrealistic expectations lead to unnecessary stress and a distorted self-view.

Practical Tips from the Episode:

• Assess Productivity Holistically: Take a longer view—look at your productivity over a week or month rather than minute by minute.
• Get Regular Feedback: Actively seek feedback from managers, peers, clients, or even yourself to gauge if you’re on track.
• Define “Good Enough”: Set realistic expectations for what a productive day looks like to avoid endless striving.

Until next time, stay well and have a better workday.

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