Last week, I sat down to write my blog post and suddenly, panic set in. Looking back over the past week, I realised that I hadn’t completed any of the books I was reading (listening to) or even listened to any new podcast episodes. My to-do list felt miles long, and I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed.
Then, it hit me. I remembered an episode from a podcast called “Beyond the To-do List” by Erik Fisher on “Measuring Productivity”. The message was clear: priorities in life are not set in stone. They change with time as we evolve and move through different stages of life. Even more dynamically, they can shift from day to day or week to week. As long as the general direction of our journey remains on track, it’s perfectly okay to adjust our immediate priorities.
As a working mother and wife, I often felt torn between my professional responsibilities and personal life. There were times when I prioritised work to meet deadlines, only to feel guilty about not spending enough time with my family. Conversely, when I focused more on family time, I sometimes felt like I was compromising my career growth.
That podcast episode provided a much-needed perspective. It was like being told that measuring the success of a fish based on how well it climbs is as absurd as measuring the success of a monkey based on how deep it can swim. Both comparisons lead to failure and a sense of sadness. Instead, the key takeaway was to measure productivity based on the priorities I consciously set for myself in any given week.
Last week was a perfect example of this. It was filled with social events that not only brought joy but also fueled my creativity. I managed to create three distinct cards: one for a housewarming, another for a birthday, and a heartfelt thank-you card for a teacher who had made a significant impact on my daughter’s life. You can see the fruits of our labour below:
Creating these cards was more than just a hobby; it was a special time spent with my daughter. We spent a nice evening together, sharing stories and laughter as we crafted each card. It was a reminder that sometimes, the most productive use of our time is the time we spend nurturing our relationships and pursuing our passions.
In conclusion, productivity isn’t about checking off every item on your to-do list. It’s about recognising what your priorities are and measuring your success based on those. Whether it’s advancing your career, nurturing your relationships, or pursuing your passions, the key is to align your actions with your values and measure your success accordingly.
Let’s embrace the flexibility and find joy in the journey, one prioritised task at a time.
Building relationships with friends, relatives, team members is most difficult task But it will give immense pleasure and satisfaction For a successful life every thing is having its own weight age