Stop Following Productivity Gurus: The Real Reason You’re Not Getting Things Done
Written by Rod on September 4, 2024
Are you tired of feeling like you’re constantly pushing yourself to get things done? Have you been following productivity gurus but still find yourself struggling to stay on top of your tasks? You’re not alone. The secret to real productivity isn’t about finding the latest hack or following a new routine; it’s about understanding the difference between push and pull, and how to create a sustainable workflow that fuels your motivation naturally.
The Push and Pull of Productivity
Imagine you’re trying to move a heavy boulder up a hill. This is what “push” feels like. It requires constant effort, and any moment of rest risks the boulder rolling back down. Many of us operate our daily lives in this mode, continually pushing ourselves to meet deadlines, manage tasks, and follow through on commitments. Push always runs out. The best work ethic is no match for constantly have to push your way through every day forever.
Now, imagine a magnet drawing you towards it faster and faster. This is what “pull” feels like. Instead of exerting constant force, you’re harnessing momentum and letting natural forces do the work. When tasks pull you toward them, they draw on your natural interests and motivations. Pull is sustainable and invigorating; it never runs out of steam because it’s aligned with your passions and strengths.
Why Push Fails
Exhaustion and Burnout: Constant pushing drains your energy. You end up feeling exhausted and less motivated over time, which impacts both your productivity and well-being. And when you look ahead all you see is that if you ever stop pushing, you’ll be crushed.
Lack of Engagement: When you’re always pushing, your work doesn’t genuinely interest you. This lack of interest makes it harder to stay focused and enthusiastic. You don’t have to work at a boring job for the job to be ‘real’.
Short-term Focus: Push is short term for immediate results. It don’t foster a long-term vision or sustainable habits, leading to cycles of intense work followed by burnout.
How to Harness the Power of Pull
Find Your Intrinsic Motivators: Identify what genuinely excites and interests you. Work that aligns with these intrinsic motivators will naturally pull you towards them, making it easier to stay engaged and productive.
Align Tasks with Your Strengths: Focus on activities that leverage your natural talents and skills. Some things for you are as easy as breathing but a struggle for others—those are your strengths. When you work from your strengths, tasks feel less like work and more like opportunities to excel.
Create a Vision: Develop a clear vision of your BIG goals and how your daily tasks contribute to them. This long-term perspective helps maintain motivation and direction. You’re building a cathedral, not laying bricks.
Practical Steps to Transition from Push to Pull
Audit Your Tasks: Evaluate your current responsibilities and identify which ones feel like a push. Look for ways to either eliminate, delegate, or change what these tasks mean to you.
Redesign Your Environment: Set up your workspace and daily routines to support your intrinsic motivators. This might include firing your boss, changing your work environment, adjusting your schedule, or incorporating more of what you love into your day.
Build Momentum with Small Wins: Start with small, achievable tasks that align with your passions. These small wins build confidence and create momentum, pulling you closer to the magnet so it can pull harder.
Reflect and Adjust: Reflect on your progress at least once per week and adjust your strategies. Your first choice about how to approach a change may not work—who cares? Make another change until you get it right. This ensures that you remain aligned with your motivators and strengths, continually optimizing your workflow for pull rather than push.
Additional Insights
From my own journey and those of countless clients, I’ve seen the transformative power of shifting from push to pull. One story that stands out is from a period when I was a software engineer for a huge chip manufacturer. The constant push to do a job I didn’t really care about (making chips) was always exhausting. By switching to a pull strategy—moving back into healthcare—I was able to be drawn to exciting new career paths that saved or at least improved lives.
As Coach Rod, my mission is to help you break free from the exhausting cycle of push productivity. By understanding and leveraging the power of pull, you can achieve more with less effort, and find a sustainable path to both success and fulfillment.
If you’re ready to make this shift and unlock your true potential, let’s start this journey together. Visit rodgamble.com to learn more about how my coaching programs can help you transform your productivity and your life.
