When we think of the term ‘productivity’, what are the first things that come to our mind? To-Do lists with loads of tasks, then accomplishing all of them - that’s textbook being ‘productive’. But what if I told you that this practice actually reduces the effectiveness of your productivity?

Multitasking reduces productivity by about 40%. But much of that later - first things first, what actually is productivity?

Productivity has a different set of definitions in different contexts. But since the context we are referring to is psychological, ‘productivity’ can be defined as an ability of an individual, or a group of people to work efficiently with the input (this may be anything that you put in it, for example, time, money, effort etc.) within a given time period, to maximise or get the full potential of the output.

Using no jargon at all, picture it like this: You’re aware that TikTok and Pinterest exist, but instead of just sitting and scrolling, you do your chemistry homework, putting in your brain cells, and energy, and getting the most out of it. This could be getting the straight A that’s been on your vision board for a while, or getting into the good books of your teacher, so they can give you those golden words for your college application.

That’s productivity, in the simplest of terms. But then, where do most people go wrong with it and why? What is the source of that procrastination, and burnout? Have we grown up with the wrong notion about being productive?

Here are three different beliefs that people adopt and incorrectly assume to be the idea of productivity, and how they end up putting off tasks instead of ticking them off:

The Busy Bee Mindset

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Remember I mentioned how multitasking reduces your productivity by 40%? You may know how a worker bee works tirelessly, without a pause, collecting honey, building hives, gathering pollen. It's obvious - it never once questions how it can attend to these tasks efficiently, or how to make use of its time in a smarter way.

Often, we imitate the “busy bee” mindset, because it has been an inherent part of our thinking. As Brianna Wiest says in her beautiful book, ‘101 Essays that will Change the way You Think’, every generation has a monoculture, a governing pattern or system of beliefs that people unconsciously accept as the truth. One of these is that when we are constantly busy, just like the worker bee, we are productive. Society has given “doing more” the same definition as being productive. The idea that having a full schedule and being super busy is the road to achieving goals has been ingrained in the minds of many from a young age, often by schools or family.

Everyone has too often emphasised the quantity of work that you do, undervaluing how commendable your focus or quality of performance may be.

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The Perfectionism Plague

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Nothing, hear me out, is completely flawless. Even something or someone that may seem this way still has its own flaws. That’s okay!

It’s what makes each of us unique. Perfectionism, which is a problem I have suffered through a lot too, is the constant need to strive to be ideal and impeccable. Many confuse this idea with being productive, but it's actually the opposite, because “perfectionism” is literally the phobia of making mistakes, doing something wrong, or messing up. It makes us overanalyse the whole situation, and how we should and should not do things.

Instead of focusing on the tiny improvements that make up our progress, perfection focuses on achieving absolute flawlessness, which is obviously, as I said, impossible to achieve.

The “Perfectionism Plague” gives rise not to being productive. Instead, it inevitably leads to delaying tasks, doubting yourself, and mental (and sometimes physical) burnout.

Hustle Culture

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Hustle culture (also called grind culture) is an ideology which supports toxic productivity. According to it, working for long, hard hours is equal to the maximum output. It equates the amount of fatigue and burnout with your achievement and how productive you’ve been.

Sounds crazy right? But it still thrives everywhere in the world. For example, statistics say that about 86% of small business owners work more than 40 hours a week.

Does this maximise your potential products? No. Does it take a toll on your mental health, and gradually your physical well-being too?

Definitely. It leads to numerous health problems, in both aspects - including stress, fatigue, burnout, writer’s block, insomnia and what not!

But then, what is true productivity?

True productivity is focusing on the little indicators of progress (which in turn, are guaranteed to success), instead of stressing over the numerous big things you want to take on. Put simply, it’s not about how much you do but what you do, how much you focus on doing it, and how well you do that one thing. After you’re through with the first task, you move on to the second, and so on.

If I could tell you this briefly in only four words it would be 'just learn to chill'. Yes, you did read that right - chill! Take some breaks while working, no matter how serious, important or difficult the project is. Trust me, you’ll end up completing it faster, because you’ll be refreshed and energised, ready to take on more.

Strategies to mastering productivity and ending procrastination as a teen

• Eisenhower Matrix

This is an extremely useful method, mentioned in Stephen Covey’s book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. It is amazingly helpful for being super productive, because it helps you to bifurcate the important tasks from the less important ones. It involves making four boxes, and dividing them on the basis of the urgency and importance of the various priorities. These are:

1. Urgent and Important
2. Urgent but Not Important
3. Not Urgent but Important
4. Not Urgent and not Important.

The Eisenhower Matrix helps prioritise what’s effective, increasing the efficiency and quality of your work.

• Bribe yourself

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Tell yourself that you’ll watch that episode of your favourite Netflix show, or have ice-cream after you finish that task, instead of sulking or scrolling. Think of it this way, you’re completing your To-Do list for the day, and watching TV without feeling guilty. That way, you’re being productive, life isn’t sucking anymore, and you’re treating yourself. Screams win-win to me.

• Pomodoro Technique

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I think this technique is best suited for study sessions, but it can be applied in other areas as well. The Pomodoro Technique usually consists of 25 minutes work period, followed by a 5 minute break. This not only breaks the monotony of the task, but also allows you to refuel and recharge, so that you don’t burnout.

It’s an amazing method to be productive, in my opinion. Try it!

• Limit your distractions

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I’m not saying to completely give up all your devices. Technology is, by all means, a very important tool. What I am telling you is to make good use of it. As Albus Dumbledore says in Harry Potter, “It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” So, make a wise choice!

Don’t delete your social media to minimise distractions, instead set timers on the apps so you don’t scroll excessively.

But again, do not become so obsessed with being productive that you forget how to live, and exist in the moment.

Resources that help

Now that we know where we’re going wrong with productivity, and what true productivity really is, here are some apps and videos that’ll help you gain your full potential and maximise your efficiency in work.

1. App: TickTick

TickTick is an app that has helped me a lot. It’s really, really useful because it helps you organise both your calendar, and schedule through Eisenhower Matrix. Moreover, it also has its own Pomodoro Timer. I think it’s mostly free, and it’s definitely one of my favourites.

2. App: Smile To-Do

This is honestly such a cute app. The smiley-face on top smiles fully when all your tasks are complete, and you earn Daily cards which look aesthetic and pretty. It’s quite addictive, and it keeps you hooked on it to complete the task. It helps you plan out your day effectively, too.

3. Video:

This is a really great video which sums up how a productive day looks like. It’s super cool and fun to watch.

4. App: Focus Plant

This is a beautifully designed app. It not only instills a sense of self-discipline, and stay focused on the important things, but also have fun with it. It helps you beat phone addictions, and the gamified achievements encourage you to procrastinate less.

Productivity isn’t full schedules, always being busy, and overworking yourself. It's being efficient in whatever you do, completely focusing your mind and energy on it, and most importantly, taking it easy and detaching from the outcome. True productivity lies in not how many tasks you have ticked off, but how well you’ve accomplished them. Remember, quality always prevails over quantity.