The UB Post

I spend a lot of time writing about and talking about productivity. Every once in a while, though, I have to remind myself that being productive is nice, but not the only goal in life. If you're generally productive but dropping some of the balls you're juggling, you might need to take a break from productivity. Here are some signs you might be spending too much time on the wrong things.

Focusing on the tools. You go to Staples to check out the latest productivity tools. Pens, paper, new kinds of notebooks, backpacks, labels and sticky notes-you love it all. OK, maybe love is too strong a word for some of you, but you do like setting up a new notebook-the feel of the paper, a blank canvas with the promise of a fresh start. You recopy your to-dos from one book to another. You'll actually use this one because it has a leather cover and one of those ribbons for a bookmark. It's lovely. It's pristine. It's something you've always wanted and didn't even know you needed.

Searching for a system. You've never found a system for getting things done that you didn't like. There's always a new piece of software or a book that will be the saving grace of your productivity. Armed with these new tactics, you're ready to go through all those lists you've been neglecting. You retype your to-dos into a specially formatted file that allows you to slice and dice them in a hundred different ways. This new system is just the thing-and this time, it's all going to be different.

Tinkering without doing. You have a system you've been using for years. It works OK, but there's always room for improvement. A new blogger on the scene says you should do a review of all your tasks on a Thursday afternoon because it's much better than the Friday morning time slot you've been using. You move to-dos around a lot, making a new list, combining two lists into one, and putting your lists on the bedside table so you can see them first thing in the morning. One day soon you know you'll find the right mix.

If any of the above applies to you, don't worry. There's an easy way out that's almost as fun as opening a new label maker-really. Take a weekend away from being productive, or maybe a week if you're feeling daring. Keep a pen and paper with you-but no cell phones! If something comes up and you need to remember it, write it down-then promptly forget it. Don't make any new commitments; just be in the moment. Empty your brain for a bit. Walk the dog, walk your kids, or walk your significant other.

Getting some perspective will help you see why you keep all those to-do lists in the first place. And don't worry; the world will be there when you get back.

Do you have questions about productivity or organization? Palmer, 3L and opinion editor for The UB Post can be reached at scott.palmer@ubalt.edu.

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