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I’m pretty good at getting things done. I don’t mean this in a braggy way; I have just always been focused on goals, I can juggle a bunch of things all at once and I’m generally always on the move.
There are benefits to this…it is certainly rewarded in corporate America. Google “how to increase productivity” and you’ll see an avalanche of results. It tends to be the thing most rewarded, recognized, and sought after. I even had an advisor in grad school who suggested I delete my whole resume and simply include “gets shit done” for the entirety of my CV.
Where did this focus on productivity start? For me personally, it was early in my career. A well-meaning manager sat me down and said: “Over-deliver every single time. Blow them away with how much capacity you have.”
For the world of work, much of this, “get shit done attitude” stems from Frederick Taylor and his studies of the physical movements of factory workers. It was then helped along with some of Peter Drucker’s work with GE in the 50’s by shifting focus from the factory floor to the corporate office.
So, what’s the issue? Is productivity bad? Not necessarily, but often productivity is associated with a “get things done at all costs” attitude (New Yorker, 2021) which can result in stress, mental health issues, and burnout.
I know from personal experience. When I left one particularly challenging work environment, I quickly lost weight, the dark shadows under my eyes lightened and my friends commented on how much more “available” I was to them. My getting-shit-done approach had hurt my health and personal relationships. I lacked presence with the most important aspects of my life.
I was reminded of the importance of presence, peace, and being when Sherry and I interviewed Jeffrey Slater this week. Jeff and I first met when we worked together at Nomacorc (Vinventions USA) many moons ago and I was immediately struck by Jeff’s calming presence in the office. He embodies peace and calm. Since he left that job, Jeff has started his own marketing consultancy and writes a great blog that should not be missed.
Jeff gets A LOT of stuff done, but he balances that with a regular meditation practice and has always been focused on his presence of being. I think this is the trick with your work – get enough done so you are contributing and feel productive, but balance that with self-care, activities that give you joy, and connection with people in your life.
Please listen in as Jeff shares some of his perfectly imperfect journey, and get some inspiration for your own journey from overdoing to balance.
Click below to listen now, or wherever you access podcasts.
